The word recycling for most people conjures up images of newspapers, soda cans, milk cartons, shopping bags, water bottles and other common household items. In a world that is leaning more and more towards recycling so that residents of this planet can do their part to save the earth, recycling these common items has become a necessity for many, not something they do if, and when they feel like it. 

However, did you know that everything from carbide bushings to crayons can be recycled as well? 

There are many reasons that you should recycle, but if you already do and want to do more to reduce your carbon footprint on the planet, then read on below for a few of the strangest things you can and should be recycling today.

Used Cooking Oil

While the idea of recycling your used cooking oil collection may seem a little strange, it is one of the top items on this list. Think about it, you don’t want a bunch of cooking oil sitting around your kitchen, as it is a dangerous fire hazard, and you don’t want to toss it in the trash can to leak everywhere, so what do you do with it? Recycle is the answer! 

Sports Equipment

Thinking about tossing those old tennis balls, your yoga mat, or even your kid’s old baseball glove? There are quite a few places and sites out there that will accept your used sports equipment and put it to good use, so that it’s not filling up the landfills and destroying the planet. 

Artificial Christmas Trees

At the end of the holiday season last year was your artificial Christmas tree a little worse for wear? If you intend on buying a brand new tree this upcoming holiday season, you’re probably wondering just what you can do with the old one. You don’t want it cluttering up a corner in the garage or taking up space in the attic do you? Luckily, you can recycle that old tree since there are programs in different areas of the country that will take it off your hands. 

Bike Tools and Gear

There are quite a few places and sites out there that accept old bike tools and gear for recycling. Some of the things that are accepted include bike frames, worn tire tubes, bike tools, helmets, bags, bike pumps and more. One of these sites takes these tools and gear and recycles them to deliver to poor economic climates such as the Carribean, Africa, and parts of South America.

Toothbrushes 

Did you know that every old toothbrush you’ve thrown away over your entire life is still here on this earth? Since it takes centuries for a piece of plastic to decompose, it’s not hard to believe since toothbrushes are made of plastic. There are sites now, who partner with toothpaste companies that accept the recycling of old toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, and even floss, since they come in plastic as well. So, save up those oral care products and reduce your carbon footprint on the earth by recycling them. 

Holiday Lights

As the Christmas season approaches more than one person will plug in a string of holiday lights only to find half of them don’t work. Not only does this mean a trip to the store for more lights, it also means you have to find something to do with the old string. Never fear, there are places that will let you recycle them as well, and many will give you a discount on a new string through them as well. 

These are just a few of the strangest things out there that can be recycled you might not have known about. Do the right thing and start recycling these things as well.