Dirty Diapers: Knowaste recycles diapers and absorbent hygiene products in the UK and since the 1990’s has been researching and developing technologies for recycling absorbent hygiene products (AHPs). Knowaste reclaims fiber and plastic to be recycled into products ranging “From benches and bollards to railways sleepers and flood defences

Pet Fur: What to do with all of that fur? Matter of Trust is aSan Francisco-based non-profit that uses donations of clean pet fur to craft oil-absorbing hair mats and hair-stuffed containment booms made from recycled pantyhose. These booms effectively soak up oil without requiring the use of new resources.

Pantyhose: Did you know that companies like No Nonsense recycle your old, nylon pantyhose by grinding, with material used to make playground equipment, park benches and carpets

Deceased Pets: In Germany, pet owners are not allowed to bury pets in public places.. A rendering plant near the town of Neustadt an der Weinstrasse, however, accepts deceased pets. Residual animal fat is recycled into glycerin, which is used in cosmetics like lip balm.

Chewed Gum: An airport in England collects recycled gum to help make tires, toys and other products.

Old Bras: Used bras can be sent to the Bosom Buddies Program. Bras of all shapes and sizes are shipped to local shelters or redistributed through exporters and organizations to women in developing nations. For more information on the Bosom Buddies Program, visit the The Bra Recyclers website

Mattresses: Increasingly, mattress recycling operations are “springing” up. When buying a new mattress, check to see if the retailer is involved in a mattress program, or if click on the following link to see if there is a mattress recycling operation in your area.

CD's: Instead of tossing those unwanted discs into the trash, why not send them to them to The CD Recycling Center. Here they will be shred them into a fine powder that’s later melted down. Applications for the recovered material includes use in automotive and building materials and is additionally often used in pavement.

Running Shoes: Refer to the recycledrunners.com website for shoe recycling facilities and organizations in your area. Even worn out runners can be recycled.

Dentures: There is a non-profit association in Japan that collects dentures to reclaim the metals like gold and silver, that are inside. Proceeds are then dontate to UNICEF. To date, more than $250,000 has been raised.

Cigarette Butts: Yes. Seriously. I know. If you’re an environmentally conscious smoker (they do exist!) you can do your part to augment the impact of your nicotine habit on your environment by binning your butts and collecting them to be recycled. This is one campaign that has really taken off, and many cities have jumped on board, providing public collection receptacles to cut down on cigarette butt waste and participate in the program.

Pizza boxes that are tarnished with food, or any paper product that is stained with grease or food, are not recyclable – unless you remove the tainted portions.