6 Household Items To Recycle, Repair or Replace
Written by
Vance Cariaga
Edited by
Amen Oyiboke
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Despite the financial and environmental benefits of repurposing or repairing items rather than discarding them, consumers still produce a lot of waste. According to the United Nations Environment Program, more than 2 billion tons of waste are tossed out annually. Looked at another way, every two hours enough waste is thrown out to fill the world’s largest container ship with trash.
Repurposing items for other uses can help you save money because it means you don’t have to buy the items new. For example, you can save money on cleaning rags by using old clothes for the job. Similarly, you can save money by repairing items rather than replacing them with new ones – especially if you do the repair work yourself.
On the other hand, there are times when it makes more sense to replace an item. This might happen if repair costs are too high, or if the old item poses a health risk.
Here are six household items to either recycle, repair or replace.
Items To Recycle
In this case, “recycle” means repurposing items for other uses rather than putting them in the recycle bin. The following recycled items were listed by Global Citizen as helping you save money and reduce your environmental impact.
Old Toothbrushes
Health and dental experts recommend replacing your toothbrushes about every three to four months. This can add up to a significant expense over time — especially if you have a large family. You can help offset those expenses by turning old toothbrushes into cleaning brushes for jewelry, computer keys, shoes and hard-to-reach places.
Wine Bottles
As the Global Citizen’s website noted, wine and other glass bottles are even more damaging to the environment than plastic ones. Roughly 70% of wine bottles end up in landfills. You can protect the environment and save money by turning your old wine bottles into other household items such as candle holders or soap dispensers.
Items To Repair
If you take a DIY approach to home maintenance, then you probably already repair household items rather than replace them. But even if you have to call a repair technician, you can still save money and reduce your carbon footprint by repairing rather than replacing the following items. Just keep in mind that costs will vary by product type, mechanical issues, location and other factors.
Dishwasher
If you want to save money, this is one of the top appliances to repair rather than replace. Dishwasher repairs typically cost between $100 and $300, Forbes reported. But according to Home Guide, the cost to buy a new dishwasher ranges from $400-$800 for basic models to $1,200-$3,000 for high-end models, with an average of $800-$1,200.
Refrigerator
Refrigerators can empty your bank account in a hurry if you are constantly buying new ones. Home Guide estimates that the average price of a new fridge ranges from $600 to $2,300, though you’ll have to fork over up to $5,000 for high-end models. In contrast, you can have a fridge repaired for an average price of $200-$400, according to Forbes.
Items To Replace
There are certain household items you’re better off replacing, often for sanitary or safety reasons. Here are a couple cited by The New York Times.
Plastic Cutting Boards
These have a typical life of around two years, after which bacteria can build up in the cutting grooves and remain there. You definitely don’t want to cut fresh fruits, vegetables or meats on a board with a lot of hidden bacteria.
Toilet Brushes
Similarly, toilet brushes can harbor bacteria even if you regularly spray them with disinfectant. In addition, when the bristles reach a certain point of use they can scratch your porcelain. These should be replaced every few months.
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