Recycling is not only good for the environment, it can also make you money. There are many ways to make money from recycling efforts, whether by collecting cans or selling old phones. Some methods are easier than others, but with a little effort, you can make a decent profit by recycling some items that still have a resale value.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Recycling Cans and Bottles
Step 1. In the United States, some states have laws regarding used bottles called bottle bills
This law allows you to get a replacement of IDR 600-IDR 1,200 for every empty bottle or can you return. Unfortunately in Indonesia there is no such regulation, but you can still make money by selling used bottles or cans to junkyards.
Step 2. Look for junkyards who usually walk around the housing and offer to buy used items that are no longer used
They usually carry a self-drawn or pedaled cart. Junkmen will buy used goods by weighing them per kilo and the price they offer for used plastic bottles is around Rp. 2,200/kg, while used cans are Rp. 1,100/kg.
Step 3. Keep the cans and bottles you use at home
IDR 2,200 may not be a huge amount, but over time you can accumulate quite a bit. Think about how many used cans and bottles your home produces in a week or month. Get a large plastic bag or basket and put all your used bottles and cans in there. Once you've collected enough cans or bottles, you can sell them to a junkyard. Collecting cans like these will provide a hefty income in return for your recycling efforts.
Step 4. Look for cans or bottles in your neighborhood
There's no need to limit yourself to collecting the bottles you use at home yourself. Your neighborhood may be full of recyclable bottles and cans. Remember that whenever you pick up bottles and cans, you should wear thick gloves. You don't have to risk injuring your hands and getting an infection.
- Visit local parks and playgrounds. Children and parents may accidentally leave a lot of recyclables in these kinds of places. Take plastic bags and collect bottles and cans to sell to junkyards.
- Go to a restaurant or cafe in your neighborhood, and ask if they'd be willing to give you their used can. However, sometimes restaurateurs don't want to be bothered with such things, and you can offer to take those used cans from them. That way, you will get a reliable source of used cans/bottles.
- Ask if the neighbors are willing to give away their used cans. Again, neighbors may not want to be bothered with the recycling of these used cans. Tell them you'll take it, that way you'll get a hefty profit.
Step 5. Sort out the used cans and bottles you collect
Waste banks managed by NGOs usually accept three types of used goods that are of sale value for reprocessing, namely paper, plastic and metal. Sort your used goods into these three groups. That way, you can make transactions more efficiently and get your money back as quickly as possible.
- Look for the number on the plastic that indicates whether the plastic is recyclable. Plastics #1 and #2 are the most common types used for bottles, and they are both recyclable.
- To save time, use different containers for paper, plastic, and metal. That way, you don't have to bother sorting anymore.
- For more information on recycling plastic bottles, read the article Recycling Plastic Bottles.
Method 2 of 3: Recycling Other Household Items
Step 1. Earn money by selling scrap metal
Although not as popular as paper and plastic, scrap metal can still make a decent amount of money by recycling. While it's hard to collect enough scrap metal to make a big profit, you can still make some money if you find some scrap metal that still has a resale value.
- First, you have to find a scrap metal dump. Look for this information in your neighborhood.
- Check if the magnet can stick to the iron. If so, then you are getting a metal that contains iron such as steel or iron. Metal like this is cheaper, but collectors are still willing to accept it. If the magnet doesn't stick, you get a non-ferrous metal like copper or aluminum. Both are more expensive.
- Copper is the most expensive scrap metal. This metal is commonly found in plumbing and electrical wires. TS copper can reach a price of IDR 53,000 per kg.
- Brass is the second most expensive scrap metal. You can find them on locks, doorknobs, and lighting fixtures. Brass is priced at IDR 32,000 per kg.
- People who work in the construction business usually get scrap metal easily. Electricians and plumbers can also find scrap metal in their work. If you don't work in this field, find someone else in this profession. They may not even bother taking scrap metal to a scrap metal dump and be willing to give it to you.
Step 2. Sell your old phone and calculator
Actually these items should not be thrown into landfills because they contain toxic elements. If you have to recycle your old phone after buying a new one, why not sell it and make some money? There are websites like OLX, which allow you to sell used items that are no longer in use. Even if your phone or calculator may not be in good condition, there may still be someone who wants to buy it. Visit this site to advertise your used goods.
Step 3. Just sell your old clothes
Instead of throwing away your old clothes, why not sell them for money? If there is a thrift store in your area, pack up your used clothes and take them there. Or you can sell it yourself by holding a garage sale, for example.
Step 4. Sell used wine bottles and corks on OLX
There are people who make their own wine and need an empty bottle to store it. It is cheaper to buy an empty bottle online than to buy a full bottle at the store. Try this way to make easy money without the hassle.
Step 5. Sell your used cooking oil
Biodiesel fuel is becoming an increasingly popular energy source. Collectors buy used cooking oil and refine it to light their homes. Do an internet search to see if anyone in your area is willing to buy used cooking oil. Usually there are companies or collectors who advertise on the internet.
Step 6. Recycle your used tennis balls
Tennis balls contain a lot of rubber, which can be recycled. There are companies that recycle used tennis balls into new ones. You'll have to collect a lot of balls before you can get a big advantage, but if you live near a park or tennis club, you might be able to find them all the time.
Method 3 of 3: Save Money by Reusing Old Items
Step 1. Save leftovers
In many countries, food is one of the things that is most often thrown away. If there are leftovers after you finish eating, don't throw them away. Keep it for at least a few days to see if anyone will eat it. If you eat leftovers for just one meal, you've saved money and resources.
Step 2. Use the dryer sheet as an air freshener
Commercial air fresheners can skyrocket in price. To avoid this expense, place several dryer sheets indoors, in an unobtrusive place. This dryer sheet will freshen up the room and you won't need to give a new room freshener.
Step 3. Refill the water bottle instead of throwing it away
If you drink bottled water on a regular basis, you may see your expenses increase over time; not to mention the damage so many used bottles can do to the environment. Try refilling the water bottle a few times before throwing it away. You can also buy reusable water bottles. Once you cut your spending on bottled water, you'll save a lot of money.
Step 4. Use empty butter containers to store leftovers
You will have to spend a lot of money if you are constantly buying new Tupperware. Try to keep old butter containers and reuse them to store small amounts of leftovers. That way you don't have to buy a small Tupperware.
Step 5. Save water from the shower for watering plants
Before we take a warm bath, we usually let the water run for a few seconds to a few minutes until the water becomes warm. This action wastes a lot of water so that your water bill can swell. Instead, collect this water in a bucket and use it to water the plants. It is good for the environment and you will save money.
Step 6. Use the old t-shirt as a washcloth
No need to waste money on buying rags. Instead, just wear an old T-shirt. These handy tips will save you money.
Step 7. Keep coffee/cookie tins and jam jars for small items
No need to buy small containers to store household knick-knacks. Coffee cans are an excellent item to reuse and many people use them as storage containers. One popular way to use coffee cans in a repair shop is to store nails and screws.
Step 8. Write the message down on scrap paper instead of using a notebook
If you're leaving a small note for yourself or another family member, buying a notebook can cost you a lot of money. You will save money by writing on scrap paper. For example, if you're printing an article from the internet and don't need the information anymore, cut the paper and use the reverse page to write the message.
Step 9. Use an old towel to dry the pet
If your bath towel is too worn and worn out to use, you can still use it to dry your pet. If your dog is out in the rain, use one of these towels to dry him so he doesn't splash water and mud all over the house.
Tips
- In the state of Hawaii, before you can exchange a plastic bottle, you must first remove the bottle cap.
- Use a garbage collection tool so you can collect garbage more hygienically.
Warning
- Watch out for spiders, ants, insects, naked snails, slugs, bees and wasps in bottles/cans of used drinks/sweets.
- Some people use cans to dispose of cigarette waste and candy wrappers, so make sure you check them before compacting them.
- Wash your hands after you finish work.
