Effective Ways To Recycle Plastic Store Hangers

Plastic store hangers are often made of multiple types of plastic, making them difficult to recycle. If you're unsure whether a hanger can be recycled, it's safer to throw it away, as it could contaminate your recycling stream and cause issues for the recycling facility. To reduce plastic hanger waste, you can refuse hangers at stores and reuse the hangers you already have. You can also donate or give away unwanted hangers to thrift stores, friends, or on platforms like Craigslist or Freecycle. Some dry cleaners and clothing donation centers may also accept hangers for reuse.

How to recycle plastic store hangers

Reuse plastic hangers to avoid recycling complications

Plastic hangers are a staple for storing and hanging clothes, but they often end up in landfills, contributing to plastic waste. While some recycling programs exist, they primarily serve commercial entities, and it can be challenging to find responsible ways to discard plastic hangers from home. To avoid the complications of recycling, consider reusing your plastic hangers in creative ways.

One option is to repurpose your plastic hangers into various useful tools and crafts. For instance, you can use a plastic hanger as a makeshift stand when working on your laptop. Simply clip the left end of the hanger to your laptop screen's rim and use the right-side clip to hang your notes. This simple hack keeps your workspace organised and elevates your screen for a more comfortable viewing angle.

Another innovative way to reuse plastic hangers is to cut them and insert a paper towel roll through the middle. This creates a portable paper towel dispenser that you can hang anywhere in your home. Similarly, you can repurpose broken plastic hangers by gluing the broken ends together and inserting ribbon spools to organise your craft supplies.

If you have a collection of shoes that never seem to stay organised, plastic hangers can be a lifesaver. Cut the hangers at the curvature where both frames meet and use them to hang your flip-flops and sandals on a bar in your closet or shoe rack. This simple solution keeps your shoes tidy and easily accessible.

By reusing plastic hangers, you can prolong their lifespan and reduce the demand for new ones. While recycling is an important aspect of sustainability, reusing items you already have is equally crucial to minimise waste and prevent them from ending up in landfills.

Return hangers to stores or dry cleaners for reuse

Returning plastic hangers to stores or dry cleaners for reuse is a great way to reduce plastic waste. Many stores and dry cleaners will gladly take back hangers for reuse, and some may even offer incentives or rewards for doing so.

Before returning hangers, it's important to ensure they are in good condition and free of any damage or breakage. Check that the hangers are clean and remove any paper, foam, or other materials that may be attached. Sorting and organizing the hangers by type, such as plastic or metal, can also make it easier for the store or dry cleaner to process and reuse them.

When returning hangers to stores, it's a good idea to contact the store ahead of time to confirm if they accept hanger returns and if there are any specific guidelines or procedures to follow. Some stores may have dedicated collection bins or areas for hanger returns, while others may prefer to take them at the customer service desk or during the checkout process. It's also worth inquiring about the store's policies on the number of hangers they can take back at once and whether they offer any benefits or incentives for returning hangers.

For dry cleaners, it is common practice to accept returned hangers, especially metal ones. They often have collection bins or designated areas for customers to drop off their hangers. Similar to stores, it's helpful to contact the dry cleaner beforehand to understand their specific processes and any restrictions they may have.

By returning plastic hangers to stores or dry cleaners for reuse, you're helping to reduce the demand for new hangers and keeping them out of landfills. This simple act contributes to a more sustainable future and demonstrates your commitment to environmental responsibility.

Give hangers away on Craigslist or Freecycle

If you have plastic store hangers that you no longer need, one option is to give them away on Craigslist or Freecycle. This can be a great way to declutter your space while also helping someone else who may be in need of hangers.

To give hangers away on Craigslist, you can create a free account and post a listing for the hangers. Be sure to include a description of the hangers, the quantity you have available, and where you are located. You can also add photos to your listing to give potential takers a better idea of what you're offering. When creating your listing, you may want to consider adding some keywords that will help your listing appear in relevant searches, such as "free hangers" or "plastic hangers for giveaway".

Once your listing is live, you may start receiving inquiries from people interested in the hangers. You can then arrange a time and place to meet up and exchange the hangers. It's a good idea to choose a public place for the exchange and to let a friend or family member know where you're going and when to expect you back.

Freecycle is another platform that connects people who are looking to give away items for free with those who can use them. The website is designed to promote reuse and keep usable items out of landfills. To use Freecycle, you can sign up for an account and join a group based on your neighborhood or city. When you're ready to part with your hangers, you can post a listing and arrange for a pickup or meetup with the interested party.

Whether you choose to use Craigslist or Freecycle, giving away your plastic store hangers can be a simple and environmentally friendly way to declutter your space and help someone else in the process.

Purchase eco-friendly hangers made from recycled paper fibreboard

When it comes to plastic store hangers, it can be challenging to find places to recycle them responsibly. Commercial recycling programs exist, but it is unclear if they accept household hangers. However, there are ways to reduce the environmental impact of these hangers. Firstly, prolong their lifespan by reusing them and avoiding breakage. When you no longer need them, consider giving them away to friends or family, donating them, or offering them to local businesses that might reuse them, such as dry cleaners or clothing consultants. You can also recycle them creatively by using them for projects like arts and crafts.

If you need additional hangers, consider purchasing eco-friendly options made from recycled paper fibreboard. These hangers are a sustainable choice as they are made from 100% reclaimed material, such as FSC-approved reclaimed paper fibres, and are fully recyclable and biodegradable. They are tough, durable, and can handle heavy items like coats and suits. Some sources mention that these hangers are space-efficient due to their flat design and slim profile, allowing you to maximise the storage capacity of your wardrobe. They are an excellent environmentally friendly alternative to plastic and wooden hangers without sacrificing functionality.

You can find these eco-friendly hangers in various styles, including plain and printed designs. Some retailers offer customisation options, allowing you to add colours or logos to the hangers. The price range varies, but they are generally affordable, with prices starting at around 60p each, including VAT and carriage. This price can increase depending on the quantity and style you choose.

By choosing eco-friendly hangers made from recycled paper fibreboard, you're not only reducing your environmental impact but also supporting sustainable practices in the industry. It's a small step towards making your wardrobe more environmentally conscious.

Avoid bringing plastic hangers home from shopping trips

Plastic hangers are hard to recycle due to the combination of different plastics and metals used in their construction. It is estimated that they can take up to 1000 years to break down in a landfill. In the UK alone, 100 million hangers are thrown away annually, contributing to the 8 billion produced and discarded globally.

To avoid bringing plastic hangers home from shopping trips, you can politely decline them at the checkout. Many stores will offer you the hanger as if it were a complimentary accessory to your purchase, and you may feel slightly rude declining it. However, the store likely does not want the hanger either and will often simply discard it if you don't take it. You can also avoid buying items that are attached to plastic hangers, such as socks and pants.

If you do end up with plastic hangers, there are several ways to recycle or repurpose them. Some dry cleaners will take back hangers for reuse or recycling. You can also check with local thrift stores, friends, or family, as they may be able to use or recycle them. Additionally, some second-hand stores, clothing banks, and shelters may accept donations of hangers.

Online platforms like Freecycle, Craigslist, or Facebook can also be great places to offer your unwanted hangers for free. Alternatively, you could get creative and repurpose the hangers for other uses, such as using the metal wires for arts and crafts projects.

Remember, the key to reducing plastic waste is to refuse single-use plastics whenever possible and to extend the lifespan of plastic items to prevent them from ending up in landfills.

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