Paper and cardboard products are very common in classrooms. This includes test papers, newspapers, magazines, wrapping papers, greeting cards and carton boxes. Some of these can be kept and used for future projects instead of buying new materials. If there are unused paper and cardboard products in the classroom that can't be immediately reused, these can be collected and segregated to be sent to recycling centers. Although books are not commonly accepted as recyclable items, these can be donated to libraries or charities, making them a renewable classroom resource as well.
Tables, chairs, cabinets, shelves and other wooden furniture are also good candidates for recycling. If still in good condition, these can be sold through a local advertisement or an online shop. Giving them to other schools or charities is another option; otherwise, many recycling centers will be able to help with the disposal of wooden furniture.
Aluminum is a valuable resource to reuse and can be found throughout most schools and classrooms. It is used in manufacturing different types of cans and packaging for food and beverages. Students typically consume juice or soft drinks from aluminum cans and educating them about recycling their beverage cans will significantly lessen waste. Energy saved by recycling one aluminum can is enough to power a 100-watt light bulb for four hours.
Other common recyclable products found in classrooms are plastic bottles for water, juice, milk, soft drinks, mouthwash and many other liquids. These are already marked with recycle symbols on the bottle. The numbers range from one to seven, which represent the resin material used in manufacturing the plastic bottle. These numbers determine how these plastics will be recycled --- giving students and teachers a head start on the process.