How to Recycle Silk Flowers

Donate your silk flowers to a local nursing home or hospice. Give the flowers in bulk for nurses or staff to make decorations or distribute to patients (for example, bouquets wrapped with a piece of ribbon or arranged in vases). Include a personal note (even when donating anonymously) with a positive message, favorite poem or quote, or a letter explaining who you are and the reason you donated the flowers.

Contact local churches, schools, or shelters and ask if they accept flower donations. Churches can typically use the flowers to offset costs in hard times or for fund raising or other events. Schools may use donated flowers in art classes, plays, or as general decoration---especially during holidays or school events such as ceremonies. Shelters use flower donations not only to brighten interiors, but to brighten the lives of people dealing with traumatic life events.

Offer your silk flowers to other charitable organizations such as The Salvation Army or Goodwill Industries International. These charities use silk flowers to save on costs for decorations at fund-raising events. Donate the flowers to other organizations or non-profit programs, or sell the flowers to raise money for community programs such as education and adult rehabilitation, housing, and other needed services.

Reuse silk flowers to decorate your home, clothing, jewelry, or household items. For example, use the flowers and a hot glue gun to change the look of an old belt, hair band, or brooch. Glue flowers to scrapbook covers, an old hamper, a terra cotta pot, or a plain vase.

Give your silk flowers as gifts or attach the flowers to gift baskets or wrapping paper for special events or holidays. Personalize a gift by using flowers in the favorite color of a loved one. Give silk flowers to someone who has allergies and can't use real flowers. Add a flower to a decorative pin or chain to create a unique, one-of-a-kind gift.

Recycle your silk flowers through websites that allow users to trade, sell, or give away unwanted items.