Half a billion pounds — that’s how much cardboard, paper, plastic and metal our associates recycled at work last year. What a huge accomplishment! But are you continuing to reuse and recycle once you’re home?

It’s easy to donate sporting goods, tires and televisions for reusing or recycling. In fact, there’s a long list of items you might be tossing out that you could be giving new life to instead. First, check with local charitable organizations to see if it can be donated for reuse. And if it can’t, find out if it can be recycled. America Recycles Day is Nov. 15, and it’s a great time to learn more about what can be recycled in your community.

Many of us use curbside recycling on a regular basis, and we’re pretty familiar with the list of items we can toss in there like aluminum cans and broken-down cardboard. But the world of recycling has grown substantially, so before you throw away that metal old barbecue grill, visit search.earth911.com.

You can easily search for individual items or review the full list, and by entering your city and state, it’s easy to find a recycle center near you. And, you’ll learn if your own curbside recycling program may be an option for the item too.

Take a look at a few of the categories and items you may be able to recycle in your area. You might be surprised by some that made the list.

• Construction — carpet padding, concrete and wood
• Electronics — Blu-ray players, cables, CDs, computers (desktops, laptops
  and tablets), curling irons, microwaves and printers
• Household — bicycles, eyeglasses, glue sticks, linens, mattresses, shoes and tennis balls
• Metal — aluminum foil, paint cans, refrigerators, steel cans, trophies, washers and dryers

And the list goes on! So before you throw it in the trash or haul it to the junkyard, do some research. You may be able to help protect the planet and save a little money by choosing to give it a new life instead.

Sources: search.earth911.com, americarecyclesday.org

Can you dig it?

Don’t throw away that apple core — compost it! Reuse food waste in your own garden. Find more tips on how to get started by visiting www2.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home.