Recycling Haul!

Our latest recycling haul was our best.  Our first attempt yielded a modest $18.41.  That was quite a load.  Our problem was that we had too much glass.  It turns out that glass, in addition to being heavy, smelly (unless you wash out each beer bottle), and impossible to condense (unless you want shattered glass all over the place) doesn't pay very well.  So, we started to collect plastic and aluminum only.  After about six weeks of collecting, we brought in our second haul.  This time we earned an impressive $26.17!  Woohoo!

This time we collected for a good two months solid.  We actually brought haul #3 in on New Year's Eve, but I forgot to post about it.  We continued to limit our collection to plastic and aluminum.  We have been receiving collections from all sorts of different places.  With other folks contributing to our collection, this round proved to be the most profitable yet.  We earned a grant total of $43.22!

So, this is an interesting piece of advice.  If you are recycling bottles and cans for a bit of extra cash (and I really mean "a bit"), you should keep two things in mind.  First, plastic and aluminum only for the reasons stated early regarding glass.  Second, let everyone know that you are collecting.  Especially if you have earmarked the money for something.  In our case, the wedding fund.  Many people want to recycle but consider it a hassle.  Often, they are willing to bag it all up, and pass it along.

I started bringing a plastic bag to my weekly basketball games to collect empty Gatorade and water bottles.  When I explained that it was for our wedding fund, I got the expected jokes, "man, you're going to need A LOT of bottles!"  But guess what happened.  The next week, guys started to show up with garbage bags full from home.  Also, at the office.  Something as simple as a trash can or box clearly labeled, "Recycle Cans and Bottles!" may yield more than you might expect.

Obviously, it's a drop in the bucket in paying for our wedding, but every bit helps.

Comments

[Emy]

You know, a kid came by our house a while back and left a letter about how she was raising money to go on a trip to Washington DC or something, and could we please collect cans and bottles and put them out on the porch every Sunday morning so she can pick them up. Who knows whether she's actually going on this trip, but I don't really care - I like that someone's getting back the bottle deposit, and she leaves a new bag on the porch when she collects the recyclables. And sometimes a treat, like See's lollipops! :)

[Mission Debt Freedom]

This is a great way to make a little extra mula. Recently, our dryer's motor burned out and we had to replace the dryer (it was an older, inefficient model not worth replacing). I was surprised to find out scrapyards (iron) will give you money for the heap of metal.

[Prince of Thrift]

I wish plastic and glass could be sold around this part of the country...but if you recycle those here, it is because of your actual concern for the enviroment.
With that said I am glad that there is no deposit on such items as there are in other states.

I am always collecting aluminum and even tin (veggie & soup) cans. Thinking, I might yse the funds from recycling this year to raise the funds to go to the 1st annual blogging convention in November.

[MBT Shoes]

It's so nice to have you do all of the research for us. It makes our decision making so much easier!! Thanks.

[olympic london accommodations]

This is a topic that must be discussed in the government, not here. With the growing of the population, more and more resources have been using which contaminate the environment.

[mbt shoes clearance]

nice to have you do all of the research for us. It makes our decision making so much easi

[cheap jordan 1]

Thanks for sharing. This website is to I too have to help. Very good.