Maybe you’re in the process of redecorating and revamping your home’s interior, and you see your old appliances, and it doesn’t match and go well with your newly renovated space.
What do you do with these appliances then? Or perhaps, you’ve encountered a malfunctioning one. What’s the best thing to do with them? No, don’t toss them just yet!
When dealing with old home appliances, you have to be mindful of your approach and be more conscious of their effect on the environment, especially since they contain harmful substances and chemicals that may directly affect nature.
With that in mind, this article will outline some of the sustainable ways to upcycle old home appliances.
1. Donate Old But Still Functioning Appliances
Before you decide to throw away your old appliance, think about what else can be done with it. Perhaps you can donate and give it to other people who can still make use of it.
This can be an ideal option, especially if the appliance is still working and in good condition.
You can have the option to get appliances donation pickup services. You just need to schedule a pickup date, pack the appliances the best way you can, and they will pick it up for you.
2. Sell And Earn Money From It
Aside from donating your old but still functioning home appliances, you can also go for the option of selling them. This can be a good option if you’re looking into getting part of your money back.
There are various ways you can sell your old appliances. Here are some, to name a few:
- Host A Garage Sale
A garage sale is perhaps the most common way to dispose of an old appliance and earn money. You can easily host it within the comfort of your home. Plus, if you have other household items you wish to dispose of, you can also include them in your garage sale.
- Check Out Online Selling Websites
If a garage sale isn’t possible, then selling your old appliance online can be a good option too. Today, there are different online selling platforms that allow you to list your old home appliances and sell them for extra cash.
A tip to consider when selling online is to verify the authenticity of your buyer. That way, you won’t fall victim to a scam or fraudulent transactions. Always err on the side of caution.
- Sell For Parts
If your old home appliance is no longer functioning and serving its purpose, instead of letting them end up in landfills, consider selling its parts to a recycling center.
You can bring your old appliance to a junk shop and have them get a closer look at it and see which part can be sold and reused.
3. Swap Your Old Appliance For A New One
If you’re thinking about updating your old home appliance with a new unit, then this tip may be ideal for you. Some shops and stores enforce a policy regarding swapping appliances.
The idea is to trade your old one for a new unit, then pay for the difference.
This can be a smart strategy when upcycling your old appliances since it allows you to save money. However, it’d be best to contact them first and ask about this policy, to avoid unnecessary trips.
4. Repair It Or Turn It Into Something New
This can be a good option if you don’t want to give your old but still functioning home appliance away, sell, or donate it because it holds sentimental value.
You can call a technician and see if you can have it repaired, or perhaps, some parts just need replacement.
However, if the old appliance can no longer be repaired, consider repurposing it and turning it into something else. You can do something fun and crafty to recycle them.
For instance, you can convert your old coffee maker into a plant pot or a terrarium. Or maybe you can take the glass of an old blender and transform it into a crafty lamp. You can also repurpose an old ironing board into an art piece or movable desk.
5. Give It To Someone You Know
If you don’t want to do any of those mentioned above, you can always give it to your family, relatives or friends. Call them up and ask if they would like to take it. They will appreciate your offer and will surely use it well. But, before you turn it over, you need to at least make it as clean and presentable as possible. A little effort won’t hurt.
Final Words
Home appliances play a significant role in making our daily lives easy and convenient. It can aid in various household chores, such as cleaning, simplifying home management in the process. However, what happens when they start malfunctioning? Or perhaps, what if you wanted an upgrade? Tossing them away might be the easiest solution there is, but it’d be worth thinking about its possible effects on the environment.
With that said, considering the helpful tips mentioned above can be a good start in practicing a more responsible way of upcycling old home appliances.
