Recycling for money (2024)

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What if you could profit from everyday items you’d otherwise throw away, helping the planet and your wallet? You could earn hundreds or thousands of dollars from recycling items you no longer use.

How can I make money recycling?

Recycling for money can help earn you extra cash for saving and budgeting goals. One way to make money recycling is by collecting recyclable materials — such as plastic bottles, aluminum cans and paper — and selling them to recycling centers. Some states even offer cash incentives or redemption values for items like beverage containers, encouraging people to recycle. By actively collecting and recycling your waste items, you can help contribute to a sustainable environment while generating income.

1. Start recycling cans for money
2. Profit from books collecting dust
3. Sell wine corks online
4. Recycle trash for money
5. Recycle your cooking oil
6. Make money off your pre-used electronics
7. Make a profit off metal scraps
8. Car troubles? Make a profit off the unfixable.

1. Start recycling cans for money

Instead of throwing out empty cans of soda, soups and pet food, trade them in to start recycling for money.

2. Profit from books collecting dust

If you love books, you may have a few lying around you no longer need. Once you finish a book, consider selling it or trading it on online marketplaces. Remember the cost of shipping before you calculate your earnings.

3. Sell wine corks online

Every time you uncork a bottle of wine, you could be making money recycling. Save your corks and trade them into companies like ReCORK that pay the market value for every 10 pounds of pure cork. Corks can be reused for various crafts, furniture repair solutions and fishing rod products.

4. Recycle trash for money

Simply stated, you could earn cash from your trash. Companies like TerraCycle pay for trash, so you could start plastic bottle recycling for money. Similarly, BoxCycle collects used cardboard boxes, packing materials, pallets and mailers in return for cash.

5. Recycle your cooking oil

Your regular cooking oil could be recycled into biodiesel — and could be a great moneymaker. Whether you own a restaurant or regularly cook for your large family, you could profit off greasy food. After cooking, pour your oil into a used gallon milk jug or bucket. Once it’s filled to the brim, trade it in for cash.

6. Make money off your pre-used electronics

Whether you want a new tech device or just some spare cash, selling your old electronics is a great way to make money in a day. Companies like Best Buy, Gazelle and SellCell buy and recycle pre-used tech devices. Back up everything you’d like to keep on another device before turning in your old tech.

Old batteries, steel, iron and rare metals can be recycled into day-to-day products.Gather scrap metal and turn it into companies like Scrap Metal Buyers for cash.

8. Car troubles? Make a profit off the unfixable.

For junk cars that aren’t reliable, consider turning them in for cash at the junkyard. Compare online junk buyers to see how much you could earn from your vehicle.

What’s next: Recycle to grow your savings

There are plenty of opportunities to turn trash into cash, such as recycling cans, books, wine corks and more. Instead of throwing away everyday items, you can collect and sell them to increase your income.