Skip to Content

25 DIY Recycling Bins That You Can Make Today

If your family wants to start recycling, go for it. You don’t have to overthink how to recycle, make your own DIY recycling bins that suit your recycling style and start!

collage of recycling bins for home with text 25 DIY Recycling Bin Ideas

While some people are lucky enough to live in communities with curbside recycling services, I’m not. I hope it becomes something my town offers eventually, but for now we have to store our recyclable items until we can take them to the nearest center.

Depending on your home’s layout and your recycling needs, figuring out what type of bins to use can be a bit tricky.

How to Plan Your Home Recycling Center

Space and Location – First, you’ll want to decide where your bins will be located. Be sure to choose a spot that’s easy to get to and one that will be easy for your family to use.

If you make it difficult on yourself to sort your recyclables or store them, you’ll be less likely to stick with the eco-friendly activity.

stylish kitchen recycling bins made out of blue plastic with lids

The most common locations and home recycling stations are:

  • Kitchen Recycling Bins – I have lots of ideas below on where to store your recycling bins in your kitchen and use the space that you already have.
  • Indoor Recycling Bins – Your kitchen may not always be the best place for recycling bins. Think outside the kitchen by using your laundry room or other indoor area with space.
  • Garage Recycling Storage – A garage location is a great way to keep larger recycling bins out of sight.
  • Outdoor Recycling Bins – While this may seem like the best option, just make sure that it works for your whole family to use.

At my house, we actually utilized kitchen recycling bins. When we first moved into this house in 2015, my husband built a pull-out double trash can into existing cabinets. Here are similar plans as to how we made ours.

collage of diy recycling bins

It works out great as we put our trash in one side and recyclables in the other. We put all the recyclables together and then when it’s full, take them to our outdoor bins for sorting.

What you can recycle – It’s also important to know what you can recycle where you live. In some small towns and cities, you can only recycle glass or paper. Depending on what your city will take in recycling will impact what type of DIY recycling bins you will have.

white crate box with empty soda bottles inside

Recycle Bin Labels – Be sure to label your recycling bins at home so your family can easily sort as you go. You don’t want to have to pull recyclables out of the trash – if your bins are labeled, your family will find the process easier.

Get the whole family involved – Teaching kids to reduce reuse recycle is so important. I encourage you to get your children involved with recycling at home. Let them help you make your home’s recycling bins to get them excited. I’ve got some great, kid-friendly DIY recycling bin ideas below!

Here are a few of my favorite ideas that I’ve found for making your own DIY recycling bins.

25 DIY Recycling Bins You Can Make

I hope you found some great inspiration to get you started with recycling in your home with these 25 DIY Recycling Bin ideas.

Are you looking to live a green-er lifestyle? Check out these posts too!

This post was originally published in September 2017.

wesavecart

Monday 28th of August 2023

Thats very informative and useful information for us.Thanks for sharing this post.Great blog!