How to Build a Recycling Center in a Kitchen

Clear a location for your recycling center. Try to make it as out of the way as possible for your convenience as well as the convenience of anyone else who uses the kitchen regularly. A home-based recycling center can fill up quickly, so try to make it proportionate to your kitchen. Do not take in more than you can easily store.

Label plastic bins with common recyclables, like paper, plastic, glass, and metal. Recycling requires a lot of sorting, so have the plastic tubs ready when it comes time to start the sorting process. The tubs also help reduce clutter. You can stack them, fit them in cabinets and cupboards, and easily transport them.

Educate your family about recycling. They can help you sort and transport your recycled materials. They can also help you spread the word to your friends and neighbors to get them to recycle. If your kitchen is large enough, offer to collect some of their recyclable materials.

Think of creative recycling ideas. Some common recyclables are plastic and glass, but you can recycle so much more. Consider calling local hardware and appliance stores to see if they recycle used batteries. Some automotive stores will even accept your used oil and recycle it for you. When you decide to replace clothing or furniture, donate the old items instead of throwing them away. Some companies will even buy and recycle your old cell phones.

Create a steady schedule for trips to the recycling compound. This is the best way to help prevent an overflow of recyclables in your home. Base the schedule on how quickly your kitchen-based recycling center fills up. It may fill up fast enough to require twice weekly trips or slowly enough to only require a monthly trip.