Collectiing and Recycling - Plastics, Aluminum, and Glass

The "Math" behind recycling

Can, Glass, and Plastic = $$$

Now you may be thinking, "really? How can I make money by collecting and recycling?" Yes Yes.. I know, but think about for a minute. People throw away these 3 main recyclables everyday, every hour, and every minute into the trash without even thinking about it! I myself have seen it, it amazes me how people can do it so easily.

Now the question I ask you is how do you take advantage of this.. Simple. For example you see someone throw a can into the trash, take it back from the trash can (if you can reach it). 5 cents right there. Now think about what just happened but 100 times.. 100 cans is worth about 5 bucks give or take, depending if you get it weighted or counted. I personally have my recycles weighed cause its easier for me.


"Where is the best place to find Recyclables??"
I've seen allot of people asking the this exact same question over and over again, but the answers aren't always clear. I hope to clear up some of these answers in this part of the post.

1. Events: Events like sports (football, soccer, baseball), Concerts, Conventions, Rallies, and Fairs are only a few places where there are allot of people together and have a a much higher chance to find recycles. Specially, if they are being done outside in the elements, cause the heat makes people drink liquids.
   
2. Beaches: Beaches are a good source of recycles, specially beaches that are near businesses, restaurants, and bars. However, beaches vary during times of the year. Summertime, Holiday Weekends, and well Really Hot days are usually when people populate the beaches. The downside though is that depending on your beach, you might be in competition with homeless people, but rarely that happens. Beaches might also be a good place to collect thrown away scrap metal.
   
3. Malls & Shopping Centers: Malls are usually packed just like Beaches, during the Summertime, Holiday Weekends, and Hot Days surprisingly. Malls and Shopping Centers have trash bins all over the place for people to throw their trash in (and recyclables.) Take advantage of this and know where the trash cans are cause they rarely ever get moved. The downside to this is that you have to find the courage to look through the trash in front of strangers. At first its hard, but trust me, once you get into the mind set, you ignore people looking at you. Trust me, I've done myself.
   
4. Residential Areas: This is kinda tricky. For one, you gotta know what day trash/recycles go out in different Residential areas. For my area, its Wednesday. Depending if you got school or work during the morning, this could be really good source of recycles. Though, it could always change week to week of course cause its hard to guess what peoples' habits are. It might take a couple of weeks to know who puts out and who doesn't.
   
5. Parties and Group Gatherings: Parties usually serve drinks in cans and plastic bottles cause its less wash and clean up. Depending on the size of the gatherings, you could get allot or very little. Also depends if the Host recycles too, but it doesn't hurt to ask the Host what their plans are for the recycles, they might just give them all to you, specially if you help out cleaning afterwords. Doing a Good Deed always has its rewards!
   
6. Bars: I have yet to try this out myself, but I've always wanted for many years now. Now this is more like a business concept, but I'll share it anyways. My idea was to ask local bars to see if they could save their glass for you. Maybe if you were to help supply them with some trash cans and trash bags, they'd keep put their empty bottles and maybe once a day you could take it from them. Now if they ask whats in it for them, you could maybe give them a cut of what you get.... Downside to this Idea is that you need to own a car to transport the glass, cause glass is heavy. Another downside is that usually takes more glass to make money, like for example, 100 pounds worth would net you roughly 10 bucks. (only reason I know that is cause I once obtained 100 pounds worth of glass at one time.)
   
7. Friends and Family: Friends and Family should always be able to help you, so why not ask to to hold on to their recycles for you? You can collect them all at a specific date and there you go! All you had to do was ask. If you want to take it a step further then friends and family, ask your neighbors or the people that live along your street! Specially if your a kid, I wouldn't see why they wouldn't help, but be sure to have a parent with you if your under 12, specially if you don't know the people that well.
   
8. Work and School: Depending on where you work or go to school. There is usually someone drinking from a can or plastic bottle. Since you go to these places almost everyday, why not keep an eye out for recyclables I usually bring home at least 6 pieces or more from work each day. (6 x 5 = 30. 30 x 0.05 = $1.50) Plus if you let people at work or school (or both) know you recycle, usually they are more then happy to help cause it makes them feel good helping you and helping the environment.

This is just a short list of places that I've been experience with or had ideas for. The world is the limit. Go crazy to do what you can to get those recyclables because they are out there, and they are waiting for you to find them. Good Luck and Happy Hunting!