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Roundup: 8 Clever DIY Ways to Organize Your Recycling

by on Mar 9, 2012

Around here, we take recycling very seriously.  My sweetie even takes things to work that can be recycled there that can’t go in our weekly curbside pick-up. With so much to recycle–and to know what goes where–we need to have a recycling system. A few months back we did treat ourselves to Simple Human’s Rectangular Recycler. (Which, BTW, if you’re going to buy one, buy it at Bed Bath and Beyond and use their 20% off coupon because, otherwise…ouch.) But that’s for INSIDE. Now we need to tackle the outside. Oh, well. One step at a time. With these ideas, I’m sure we’ll get there eventually. Now, on to the roundup!   

White stacked bins for Cans, Plastics and paper.

Inexpensive, stack-able bins are a great inexpensive way to tame the recycling monster. The addition of labels makes sure everyone
knows where everything goes.

In 15 minutes, Hillary turned some old bins she had on hand into a recycling center. What I like about this is the roominess of the bins.

"  A  set of  recycle bin organizing "

For those who have to carry their recycling to a universal bin, plastic coated shopping bags might be the perfect choice.

Top most ideas for your recycle projects.

Martha gets into the act too. Although she goes all out with a complete recycling ‘station.’ LOVE the use of the pegboard.

Three buckets and two baskets hold recycled materials.

IKEA’s Trofast is billed at Toy Storage, but it would be perfect for recycling.  If verticality is your thing, there are some of those too in the Trofast line.

White color bin rack cabinet with blue bins inside.

This IKEA Hacker turned an Effektiv cabinet into a hidden recycling space. Clever!

A kitchen counter with cutouts for the trash cans underneath the cabinets.

If you have your recyclables in your garage or mud room, making cleats to hang them on a wall is a great idea for freeing up floor space. Check out Family Handyman for the complete tute.

Man picking up delivery boxes

If you really want to break out the tools, then an outdoor recycling center/shed is the way to go. Sunset provides the plans, but be aware the instructions are minimal. I’m guessing this would be my sweetie’s pick. Not good, however, if you have bears, aka Godless Killing Machines, in your neighborhood.

DIY ideas to reorganize the recycle bins.

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