Metal is used everywhere, whether it be in typical, everyday residential life or the ever-complex commercial business space. From manufacturing equipment to automobiles, steel barrels, and soda cans, you would be hard-pressed not to encounter something made from metal on any given day. That said, like all products, metal items will be past their usefulness and need to be replaced or trashed at some point. Instead of that material ending up in landfills, the best solution is to choose commercial and industrial metal recycling.

Hopefully, many of us know by now that recycling and repurposing help protect our environment by reducing the number of recyclable materials going into our landfills and limiting the amount of trash headed for incinerators worldwide. For instance, recycling and reusing manufactured products reduces emissions, conserves natural resources, saves energy, and prevents pollution. Also, many of us recycle and/or reuse paper, cardboard, aluminum, and plastics as part of our everyday routine. But did you know that many other household and office goods—including something as common as your toothbrush—can be recycled and repurposed? Here is a sampling of how to recycle the most surprising ones!

Did you know Americans create more than 250 million tons of trash each year? That’s nearly five pounds of municipal solid waste per person per day. Those are eye-catching statistics, and while it is natural to expect those numbers to grow exponentially in the years to come, we should also be doing a better job of recycling. Yes, plenty of what we throw away is, in fact, garbage. But more of it is recyclable than you might think.

Besides the Grinch and Scrooge, who doesn’t love the winter holidays? From the delicious smells of favorite foods to families creating happy memories that last a lifetime, the holidays and their traditions hold a special place in our hearts. Plus, there are also opportunities to make new, eco-friendly holiday traditions—something we can all get behind. 

How can we do this, exactly? Start by incorporating eco-friendly holiday decorations with cherished heirlooms. Your house will become warm and festive while being an endearing symbol of festive environmental protection.