7 ways to make money recycling your stuff - Skint Dad (2024)

Most councils come to the roadside to recycle our rubbish but did you know that you can actually make money recycling some of your old stuff?

7 ways to make money recycling your stuff - Skint Dad (1)

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I think pretty much everyone recycles something nowadays.

Most local authorities come to the roadside to collect paper, cardboard, tins, glass and garden waste.

Their aim is to reduce the amount of litterwe send to the dump and, ultimately, saving the planet, one sheet of paper at a time!!

But have you ever thought about how you can make money recycling your old stuff?

Well, you can!

According to recycling statistics, British households create over 26 million tonnes of waste annually.

How to make money recycling cans

Although your council may pick up your cans at the roadside, you could keep hold of your aluminium cans and recycle them yourself for cash!

A lot of charities and schools do it, but there is no reason you couldn’t do it yourself.

They pay out between 45p – 60p for each kilo of cans (a kilo is usually 65 -70 cans), so it may take a while to hit the big bucks!

There is about 300 Cash for Cans centres around the UK so it could be an option for you to recycle bottles and cans.

Ways to make money recycling plastic bottles

There are a number of supermarkets that will pay you (either cash or store credit) to recycle your used plastic bottles.

Have a lookout for Reverse Vending Machines in shops like Iceland, Sainsbury’s or Tesco.

With Tesco, you get paid 10p per bottle to use as store credit.

Sainsbury’s gives you 5p per bottle (up to £25 per month) for bottles and cans.

Iceland will pay you 10p voucher per bottle returned.

Make money recycling clothes

When looking through your wardrobe you notice that the pair of leather trousers you wore in the 80s are never going to be in fashion again…..it may be time for a clear out!

If you’ve got no more room for clothes, or maybe the kids have grown out of theirs, there are companies who will buy your old clothes, shoes and linen.

You can drop them off (a lot of companies will come to your house to pick them up too) and you could be earning 50p kilo!

7 ways to make money recycling your stuff - Skint Dad (2)

If you want to just send your clothes away, Music Magpie will buy your clothes now too.

Make money recyclingink cartridges

You could earn up to £1 for empty ink cartridges you sell on.

Instead of putting ink cartridges in the free recycle bins in supermarkets, hold onto them and send them off for cash.

Have a look at the following places where you could earn some money with ink cartridges:

Make money recyclingcompost

Recycle your food waste and turn it into compost.

Not only will you free up rubbish going to the dump but you won’t need to buy expensive fertiliser again!

While you are saving yourself money, why not see if you could sell some to your friend and neighbours too?!

How to make money recyclinghair

After you’ve got your hair cut, consider selling your strands on.

You’ll need to have a good length to sell but you could make a little bit of cash.

The hair will be recycled to make wigs.

As an indication of costs Hair Harvest says on their site that you could make:

  • £15 – £60 for 10-12 inches
  • £30 – £80 for 13-15 inches
  • £50 – £150 for 16-18 inches
  • £60 – £200 for 19 inches and above

Make money recycle mobile phones

When you upgrade does your old phone just sit in the bottom of a drawer?

What a waste!

As part of an upgrade, some companies allow you to cash in the phone as a deposit, making your new contract cheaper.

If you didn’t get the chance to do that, and you’ve finished with it, you could easily sell it on by putting it on eBay7 ways to make money recycling your stuff - Skint Dad (3) or selling it on as refurbished.

It’s better to do it while it’s newer as you’ll be likely to make more money.

Have a look atCex or Envirofoneif you’re looking to sell your phone.

Make money recycle wine corks

If you like a glass of vino or two, don’t throw away the corks but sell them on instead.

They are a prime wedding must have as brides seem to love having them as placeholders on tables.

Online marketplace eBay is awash with bulk buys7 ways to make money recycling your stuff - Skint Dad (4) of these little things so why not sell your own, instead of putting them in the bin.

What else have you recycled as other ways to make money?

Have you tried selling scrap metal, cardboard boxes, gift cards, other electronics, oil, batteries or anything else?

It’s certainly a way to make a few pounds and some extra cash.

7 ways to make money recycling your stuff - Skint Dad (5)
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Ricky Willis

A little bit of everything at Skint Dad

Ricky Willis is the original Skint Dad. A money-making enthusiast, father, and husband to Naomi. He is always looking for unique ways to earn a little extra.

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7 ways to make money recycling your stuff - Skint Dad (2024)

FAQs

How can you make money from recycling? ›

How can I make money recycling?
  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.
Feb 22, 2024

What recycling pays the most? ›

Scrap Metal. The final and most profitable material on our “best items to recycle for money” list is scrap metal.

Can recycling for cash? ›

Many metal merchants offer between 30p-50p per kilo of drink cans collected and brought in for recycling. To give you an idea of quantity, approximately 80 aluminium cans make up a kilo. Many people collect cans to raise money for a charity of their choice or to support a community project or initiative.

What is the CA cash refund for a bottle? ›

If it has a symbol that says “CA CASH REFUND” or “CA CRV,” it is eligible. Plus, it will be recycled! Most beverages other than milk, wine and distilled spirits are subject to the CRV deposit. The minimum refund is 5 cents for each container under 24 ounces and 10 cents for each container 24 ounces or greater.

How many cans do I need to make 20 dollars? ›

At an average of 59 cents per pound, that makes a single can worth about 1.8 cents. At that rate, you could make $20 for about 1,000 cans (or 84 12-packs of 12-ounce cans). Looking for more everyday items you can recycle for money?

What is the #1 item that can be recycled? ›

There are a wide range of materials that can be recycled through your curbside recycling program. These consist of obvious materials, including paper and glass, as well as less obvious materials, including most forms of metal, and even food: Paper including newspapers, magazines, and mixed paper.

Where do I take aluminum cans for money? ›

You can take your cans to:
  • Collect a can. 13 Westmead Rd, Westmead, Durban, 3608.
  • Collect a can. 12 O'Connor Pl, Aeroton, Johannesburg, 2001.
  • Kvm Recyclers. 26 Eden Park Dr, Mkondeni, Pietermaritzburg, 3212.
  • S.W collectors. 1 Dickens Rd, Umbogintwini, Amanzimtoti, 4120.
  • Cape Town recycling.
Mar 6, 2021

What plastic bottles can be recycled for money? ›

What containers can be recycled? Most drinks containers such as bottles, cans and tins made from plastic, aluminium or steel can be returned once they are between 150ml and 3 litres in size and have the Re-turn logo on them.

Is it good to crush cans before recycling? ›

Some people crush their recycled cans to create more room in their recycling bin, but this is optional. Your can is equally recyclable either way! Both crushed and uncrushed cans are separated from other recyclables at the sorting facility (also called a materials recovery facility) using electric currents.

How much is a bag of cans worth? ›

The weight of a can fluctuates with various brand designs, but they tend to be around a half-ounce per can. At an average of 56 cents per pound, that makes a single can worth about 1.8 cents. At that rate, you could make about $20 for about 1,000 cans (or 84 12-packs of 12-ounce cans).

What bottles can you get money for? ›

Most aluminium, glass, plastic, steel and liquid paperboard beverage containers between 150ml and 3L are eligible for a 10-cent refund. Eligible containers must: Be included on the scheme's list of products. Use our eligibility checker below to ensure your containers are eligible.

Can cans be crushed for refund? ›

You shouldn't crush your containers.

We recommend you don't crush containers, as most refund points can't accept them if containers have been crushed.

How many aluminum cans make a pound? ›

It takes around 32 aluminum cans to make a pound. The weight of a can change with different brand designs, yet they will generally be around a half-ounce per can. At an average price of 56 cents for each pound, that creates a single aluminum can to worth around 1.8 cents.

How many plastic bottles do you need to make $100? ›

If you can earn between five and ten cents per bottle, to make say, $100, you will need around 1000 bottles. This can be very time consuming. It's also important to know the rules of your local center. For example, some centers want the lids off and even labels, so that's important to understand.

How many plastic bottles do I need to make 20 dollars? ›

Clear plastic is worth around $1.20 per pound, and opaque plastic is worth about $0.50 per pound, depending on your location. It takes about 19 (20-ounce) clear plastic beverage bottles to make a pound. So in this case, you'd need 317 bottles to earn $20.

How to make money out of plastic waste? ›

A new approach called distributed recycling and additive manufacturing (DRAM) allows people to recycle plastic through 3D-printing and create new products. Dozens of labs and companies have developed open source products that enable DRAM.

How to make money from landfills? ›

Landfills make money by charging fees, known as tipping fees, to waste operators using the disposal site.

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