Recycling is a lot like exercise. They both make good sense and make you
feel better, but it's not always easy to make them part of your regular
routine. When it comes to recycling plastic bottles, aluminum cans, steel
cans, newspaper, glass bottles and cardboard, the problem of storage is
sure to surface. Accumulating items for recycling collection centers
requires home storage for varying periods of time and some thoughtful
handling of items. Below are some suggestions for do-it-yourself methods
of storing recyclables.
Storage Space Considerations
Family habits largely determine space needs, and family habits change
over time. Storage needs are also affected by the recycling market in your
neighborhood: what items can be recycled? when can items be dropped off?
how frequent are curbside pick-ups? Check with recyclers in your area to
find out what recyclables are currently being accepted and how these
materials should be prepared. For example, must paper labels be removed
from cans and bottle? Can glass be crushed? If newspaper is accepted,
must it be delivered in bagged, boxed, bound in a string or loose?
These answers will affect the amount of storage space your need for
recyclables, how the space is divided into compartments for separate
materials, and how the individual items are handled before being placed
into the storage.
Five Storage Options
1. Four-Shelf Recycling Center
Materials List
- Two 1/2" x 14 1/2" x 35 1/2" AC plywood (side)
- One 1/2" x 13" x 35 1/2" AC plywood (back)
- One 1/2" x 15" x 15" AC plywood (top)
- Eight 3/4" x 4" x 12 1/2" pine (frame)
- Eight 1/2" x 5/8" x 12" metal shelf rail
- Sixteen #6 x 1/2" long sheet metal screws
- Fifty #6 x 1 1/4" long flathead wood screws
- Four plastic dish pans, 11 1/2" x 13 1/2" x 5 1/4"
Notes
- Smooth all edges.
- Paint or stain to suit.
- Plastic laminate can be glued to top for smooth surface.
2. Four-Tray Under-Sink Recycling Center

Materials List
- Four 3/4" x 2 1/2" x 28 3/4" (nominal 1 x 3 furring strips)
- Six 3/4" x 2 1/2" x 12" (nominal 1 x 3 furring strips)
- Four 3/4" x 2 1/2" x 14 1/2" (nominal 1 x 3 furring strips)
- Eight 1/2" x 3/4" x 14 1/2" pine
- Four plastic dish pans, 11 1/2" x 13 1/2" x 5 1/4"
- Fifty-six #6 x 1 1/4" long flathead wood screws
3. Three-Bag, Wood Frame Recycling Center

Materials List
- 40 feet 1 x 3 furring strips
- Seventy #6 x 1 1/3" long flathead wood screws or 1 1/4" drywall screws
- 8 spring clips (3/4", used to hold mop or broom handles)
Notes
- Cut furring strips to the following lengths:
- 4 pcs. 33" long
- 8 pcs. 24" long
- 4 pcs. 12" long
- 2 pcs. 10 1/2" long
- Build top and bottom frames, then add legs.
- Holes may have to be pre-drilled to avoid splitting wood.
- Uses 13-gallon garbage bags.
4. Three-Bag, Pipe Frame Recycling Center

Materials List
- Three 10' lengths 1" diameter PVC pipe
- twelve 1" tees
- Eight 1" elbows
- Eight spring clips (1 1/2", used to hold mop or broom handles)
- 1 small can PVC pipe cleaner
- 1 small can PCX cement
Notes
- Cut pipe to the following lengths:
- 2 pcs. 31 3/4" long
- 4 pcs. 20 3/4" long
- 12 pcs 9 1/2" long
- 8 pcs. 2" long
- Clean all cut edges with sandpaper.
- uses 13-gallon garbage bags.
5. Newspaper Baler

Notes
- All wood used is 3-inch furring strips. 15 linear feet required.
- Scrap lumber can be used.
- All joints nailed - use small, coated nails with heads.
- Before piling papers in the baler, pull a length of twine from the top
and side balls of twine to form a cross under the stack. The twine will
be tied later to secure the bundle.
- A stack of papers 10 inches high will make a bale weighing about 25 pounds.