There’s more to recycling than melting down plastic soda bottles to make new plastic soda bottles. These days you can turn medicine bottles into life jackets and old running shoes into new playground surfacing. How's that for reincarnation?
Recycle: Find your local household hazardous waste center to safely dispose of mercury thermometers. Check Earth911 to find the location nearest you.
Donate: If your pots and pans are in decent shape, donate them to Goodwill, Salvation Army, or other thrift stores.
Donate: Donate tools to your local Habitat for Humanity where they can be put to good use building affordable housing.
Don't give up on your stuff! There's a better option than the trash and we found it. Scroll through our list and find out how to recycle everything from makeup to eyeglasses, paint, light bulbs, and even your toothbrush.