Omar Khalid
Plastic hangers are a common household item, but what should you do with them when you no longer need them? With the rise of single-use plastics and the negative environmental impact of plastic waste, it is important to consider how to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic items. While recycling is an important step, it is not always a viable option for plastic hangers due to the unique challenges they pose in the recycling process. So, what are some alternative ways to dispose of plastic hangers responsibly and reduce waste?
What to do with plastic hangers?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recycle plastic hangers | Plastic hangers cannot be recycled in the single-stream recycling stream. |
| Reuse plastic hangers | Reuse plastic hangers as many times as possible. |
| Donate plastic hangers | Donate plastic hangers to local thrift stores or charities. |
| Repurpose plastic hangers | Plastic hangers can be repurposed for creative projects. |
| Refuse plastic hangers | Refuse plastic hangers from stores and let them reuse the hangers. |
| Reduce plastic hanger usage | Ask family and friends for hangers or buy second-hand hangers. |
| Switch to sustainable hangers | Swap plastic hangers for paper, bamboo, or plant-based bioplastic hangers. |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic hangers cannot be recycled in the single-stream recycling stream
- Reuse plastic hangers by donating them to thrift stores
- Remove metal parts from plastic hangers and take them to a scrapyard
- Plastic hangers can be repurposed for DIY projects
- Plastic hangers can be recycled at certain centres, but it's not easy
Plastic hangers cannot be recycled in the single-stream recycling stream
Plastic hangers are not designed for single-stream recycling bins. They are made from multiple plastics, such as plastic no. 6 or plastic no. 7, and need to be separated by type. Plastic hangers are also uniquely shaped and can get caught in other things, creating clumps of material that can cause downtime and make recycling less economical.
Single-stream recycling is only equipped to handle specific types of plastic items, such as bottles, tubs, and jugs. These items are easily identifiable and can be sorted and processed without causing disruptions. However, plastic hangers do not fall into any of these categories and can cause issues if placed in the single-stream recycling bin.
It is important to note that the recycling process involves sorting and cleaning the collected materials. The presence of non-recyclable items or contaminated materials can affect the quality of the recycled products. Even with multiple cleanings, it is challenging to create food-grade bottles, and the recycled material may be downcycled into products like carpets or park benches.
To reduce the environmental impact of plastic hangers, it is essential to prioritize reducing and reusing them. You can kindly ask stores to remove hangers from clothing before purchasing, and they will be happy to keep and reuse them. Most thrift stores also accept plastic hangers for bundling and selling or for hanging clothes in their stores. Additionally, you can donate unwanted hangers to charities, especially those that work with heavy jackets that require sturdy hangers.
If you have exhausted all options for reusing or donating your plastic hangers, the last resort is to dispose of them in the garbage can. While it is unfortunate to send them to landfills, it is crucial to understand that not all plastics are recyclable in the single-stream system, and including non-recyclable items can disrupt the recycling process.
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Reuse plastic hangers by donating them to thrift stores
Plastic hangers cannot be recycled in a single-stream recycling bin. They can, however, be reused. Thrift stores such as Goodwill will usually accept plastic hanger donations. You can also try donating them to your local shelter, school, or daycare facility. If the hangers are branded, you can offer them back to the store they came from. If they are in good condition, you can offer them for free on Facebook Marketplace or your local neighbourhood page.
If you are looking to donate to a thrift store, you can follow these steps:
- Call your local donation centre or visit its website to find out its hours of operation and what items are allowed.
- Drop off your items at the donation centre.
- Receive a donation receipt for your taxes.
Some thrift stores, such as The Salvation Army, have partnerships with local to national companies. If you or your company is interested in joining, you can contact them to begin your journey of helping them do good.
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Remove metal parts from plastic hangers and take them to a scrapyard
If you have plastic hangers with metal parts, you can remove the metal and take it to a scrapyard for recycling. Steel and wire metal parts are fully recyclable, so they should accept it at the scrapyard. You may not get much money for it, depending on how much you have, but it's a good way to ensure those parts are recycled.
The rest of the plastic hanger will, unfortunately, have to go into your general waste bin. Plastic hangers cannot be recycled in the single-stream recycling stream and can jam up the recycling process. They are often made from multiple types of plastic, which cannot be separated and recycled. They can also get caught in other items, creating clumps of material that cause downtime and make recycling less economical.
Before throwing away your plastic hangers, consider if you can reduce and reuse them. You can try asking stores to remove hangers from clothing before you purchase them, and they will be happy to reuse them. You can also donate your unwanted plastic hangers to thrift stores, which will gladly accept them to bundle and sell or hang clothes in their store. You can also try asking family and friends if they need any hangers, or look for second-hand stores and local charity stores that may accept them.
If you are looking to replace your plastic hangers with more sustainable options, you can find hangers made from recycled plastic, FSC-certified paper, bamboo, or plant-based bioplastics.
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Plastic hangers can be repurposed for DIY projects
Plastic hangers are generally not recyclable and should be placed in the garbage can. However, you can get creative and repurpose them for various DIY projects. Here are some ideas to transform your old plastic hangers into something useful:
Laptop Stand
Use a plastic hanger with clips to create a makeshift stand for your laptop. Simply clip the left end of the hanger to the rim of your laptop screen. You can also use the right-side clip to hang notes, keeping them within easy reach while you work.
Flip-Flop Organizer
Cut the plastic hanger at the curvature where both frames meet to create small hangers for organizing your flip-flops. Hang these on a bar in your closet or shoe rack to keep your flip-flops neat and easily accessible.
Non-Slip Hangers
Instead of buying new non-slip hangers, repurpose your old plastic hangers by using a glue gun to create a zigzag line on each side. Let the glue dry completely before using them to hang your clothes, preventing them from sliding off.
Scarf Organizer
Transform a wire hanger into a stylish way to organize and store your scarves. Wrap the hanger and some leftover wire or cheap wooden/plastic bangles in fabric or washi tape. Then, thread your scarves through the circles to keep them neat and tidy.
Book Holder or Dish Drainer
Although not specific to plastic hangers, you can repurpose any old hangers as book holders or dish drainers, giving them a new lease of life and helping to reduce waste.
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Plastic hangers can be recycled at certain centres, but it's not easy
Plastic hangers are a single-use plastic item that often ends up in landfills. While some plastic hangers can be recycled at certain centres, it is not a straightforward process. Plastic hangers are made from multiple types of plastics, and they often have metal parts, making them difficult to recycle. The unique shape of hangers also means they can get caught in recycling machinery, causing downtime and making the process less economical.
The first step to dealing with plastic hangers is to reduce and reuse. You can refuse hangers from stores and ask them to keep and reuse them. Some stores, like Target, Kohl's, and Walmart, have recycling programs and will take back their hangers to be reused or recycled. You can also buy eco-friendly hangers made from recycled paper fibreboard, which are recyclable, compostable, and non-toxic.
If you already have plastic hangers at home, try to reuse them as much as possible. You can also pass them on to friends, family, or neighbours or donate them to local thrift stores or charities, which will gladly accept them to bundle and sell or hang clothes.
As a last resort, if your hangers are broken or you cannot find any reuse options, you should put them in the garbage can. Plastic hangers cannot be recycled in single-stream recycling bins, and if they end up in the recycling bin, they can jam the machinery. However, some recycling centres are equipped to handle wire hangers, so you can check with your local municipality or scrap metal facility.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic hangers cannot be recycled through your standard household recycling collection and processing system. This is because they are often made from multiple types of plastics and contain metal parts, which cannot be easily separated. They also tend to get caught in other things, creating huge clumps of material that cause downtime and make recycling less economical.
If you have plastic hangers that you no longer need, consider donating them to a local thrift store or charity shop. You could also give them to friends, family, or neighbours. Alternatively, try to repurpose them; you can find many craft ideas online.
Metal hangers can be recycled at scrapyards, but wooden hangers are more difficult as they are often treated with varnish or paint. Wire hangers can be recycled at some scrap metal facilities, but they may get caught in the machinery at recycling centres, so check with your local provider.
