Can You Put Plastic Chairs in the Recycling Bin?
Plastic chairs are one of the most convenient furniture pieces of our time. They can be used both outdoors and indoors, and for a variety of purposes. They are also easy to clean and come in a variety of colors and designs.
That’s why many of us have at least one set of plastic chairs.
But while they are quite useful, getting rid of them can be tricky, especially if you’re trying to live sustainably.
Fortunately, we’re here to help you with that – in today’s post, we’re going to answer all your questions on plastic chair disposal.
Can plastic chairs be recycled?
Yes, most plastic chairs can be recycled but it will depend on what type of plastic your chairs are made out of.
Nowadays, most plastic chairs are made of plastic #2 ( high-density polyethylene/ HDPE) or #5 (polypropylene) that both can be recycled.
To know which type of plastic your chair is made of, look for a little triangle with a number inside it. This number is known as a resin identification code and signifies the type of plastic the chair is made of.
Can you put plastic chairs in the recycle bin?
Due to the shape and size of plastic chairs, they aren’t accepted by most curbside recycling programs and shouldn’t be thrown in the recycle bin.
How do you properly recycle plastic furniture?
There are two ways to recycle plastic furniture.
You can wither check whether the large recycling facilities in your area accept this kind of furniture – you can even use Earth 911’s recycler search tool.
Or you can get Terracycle’s Zero Waste Pallet and use it to send your plastic chairs and other outdoor furniture to their recycling facilities.
This program usually accepts tables, chairs, benches, lounges, and umbrellas made of plastic, wood, metal, and wicker.
All you have to do is fit everything into the bulk bag – you can even break down larger items to force them to fit in.
Don’t send in any tools, fertilizers, or outdoor fabrics though – these aren’t accepted.
What can you do with old plastic chairs besides throwing them out?
Apart from recycling them, the only other way to permanently get rid of plastic chairs is to throw them out.
Luckily, you don’t have to get rid of these chairs in the first place – you can always repurpose them. Some ways to do this include:
- Create pet pitchers
If you have a pet, you can use your old plastic chairs to make a pitcher for them. All you have to do is cut out the part of the chair where you sit circularly and place your pet’s bowl there. - Make a garden rack
If you’re into gardening, it’s a great idea to convert your plastic chair into a garden rack for all your little flower pots. - Create a bench for your porch
If you combine several plastic chairs and place cushions on them, you can make a comfortable bench for your porch.
Avoid buying many plastic chairs!
If you want to live sustainably, avoid buying a lot of plastic chairs – the less plastic you own, the better!