Earn with Your Trash

Recycling is good for the environment. It keeps natural resources from being used up and decreases pollution. It makes you healthier by putting less toxins in the air. The benefits of recycling have been advertised everywhere but do you know the biggest benefit? You can actually make money by recycling things you have around the house.

How do you make money off of what you consider to be junk? It's not that hard. Pick up your phone book and take a look at the yellow pages or do a quick search of the Internet. There are dozens of places that recycle everything from scrap metal to appliances and automobiles. Calling these places will allow you to get a rate for these items per pound.

You can use old trash cans, five gallon buckets and bags to collect your recyclables in. Anytime you do work on your car that involves replacing wires or metal pieces place them in the recycling bin. Place all your cans and other scraps in the bins. Sorting them as you go will save you some time since these items have different pay rates.

Old appliances are recyclable. If you have the time and the knowledge you can take these apart and separate the wiring from the various metals on them. Stripping the wiring will allow you to receive more per pound for it. Using a large truck with a trailer will allow you to haul more off at once.

The more you take with you the higher the amount that you will earn. Some recycling centers (most actually) will pay more after a certain weight. You don't have to rely solely on what you can collect yourself you can ask businesses in some areas for items they would otherwise throw out.

When it comes to vehicles you have a choice. You can take them to recycling center (junk yard) and pull them across the scales yourself or you can call someone to come get them. There is another option that earns even more. If you have the tools you can take the car apart piece by piece and sell it for more.

You can also take other items that you have around the house and earn money recycling them. Old candles can be melted down into new candles of whatever color or design you want and sell them. Old canisters can be painted and decorated to sell as well.

Making money by recycling isn't difficult. You just have to pay attention before you throw something away. Even those cans you buy vegetables in can be recycled for cash. If you take enough time trying to find the recycling center that meets your needs you might just get lucky and find one that will drop a container off at your house for you to fill up.

More from Laurie:

How to Make a Living Recycling