Don’t Toss It—Scrap It! Surprising Items You Can Recycle for Cash

If you ask the average person to list the items they think can be recycled for cash, they’re more likely to mention aluminum cans, plastic bottles, cardboard, and paper. But, with technological advancements, the list has grown exponentially. You might be surprised to learn that even contact lenses are recyclable. In fact, most items around your house can be recycled these days. Below is a list of some of the things you didn’t know you could recycle for money.

• Eyeglasses

Old prescription glasses or even single lenses can be recycled through organizations that refurbish them for people in need. Some optical recycling programs will even pay for bulk donations, making it a surprising way to earn money while helping others.

• Ink and Toner Cartridges

Used printer ink and toner cartridges are worth far more than most people realize. Many office supply stores and specialized scrap metal recycling companies buy empty cartridges because they can extract and reuse the materials inside. Instead of tossing your old cartridges, consider collecting and selling them for cash.

• Compact Discs and DVDs

Stacked in drawers or collecting dust on shelves, CDs and DVDs can be recycled for money. Certain recycling programs pay for these discs, which contain valuable metals like aluminum and silver. Even old video games in disc format can qualify for cash if recycled properly. Contact a nearby scrap metal company beforehand and find out if they accept compact discs and DVDs.

• Cell Phones and Accessories

While people often recycle phones, they overlook accessories like chargers, headphones, or cases. Perhaps this is why cell phone accessories form a significant proportion of items that end up in landfills. Some electronics recycling companies pay for bulk bundles of old cables and accessories because they contain valuable metals and plastics that can be repurposed.

• Car Tires

Discarded tires might seem useless, but recycling centers and tire shops sometimes pay for them. Recycled tires can be turned into rubber mulch, playground surfaces, or fuel products. Collecting old tires from friends or neighbors can add up quickly. Remember, improper disposal of used tires can result in fines and can harm the environment in many ways.

• Power Tools and Small Appliances

Even broken power tools, blenders, or toasters can have metal parts that are recyclable for cash. Certain scrap metal buyers in Newnan pay for mixed household appliances because they can salvage motors, copper wiring, and steel components.

• Jewelry and Costume Pieces

Old jewelry, including broken pieces or outdated costume sets, often contains metals like silver, gold, or brass. Specialty buyers pay cash for jewelry scrap to melt down and repurpose. Costume jewelry with metals can also be valuable when sold in bulk to recycling buyers.

• Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs)

CFLs contain small amounts of mercury, which makes proper disposal essential. Surprisingly, many scrap metal buyers and recycling centers pay for them because the mercury and glass can be safely recovered. Collecting burned-out CFLs instead of tossing them in the trash could earn you money while keeping toxins out of landfills.

RCM Recycling: Reliable Scrap Metal Buyers

Recycling is not just about making extra cash; it is also good for the environment. Scrap metal recycling keeps most items out of landfills, helps to conserve resources, and creates jobs. If you’re looking for reliable scrap metal buyers, get in touch with RCM Recycling. We offer fair prices for a wide range of scrap metal and recycle items with environmental preservation in mind. Contact us to learn more about our services, and we’ll help you schedule pickup service.