How to Recycle Old Cabinets

Recycling old cabinets is not only ecologically friendly, it can also save you money without costing you much extra time. In fact, removing old cabinets intact can actually be more cost effective since there’s less likely going to be damage to the studs and structure. Once they’re removed, the next step is to figure out where and how to recycle them.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hammer with claw or a pry bar
• Phone
• Screw driver
• Paint, stain and sandpaper if you’ll be refinishing

Removal and Recycling

1. Place an ad on Craig's List, offering the cabinets for free if people are willing to come uninstall them. This is the easiest way to get rid of your cabinets (although you receive no monetary benefit).

2. Contact your area Habitat for Humanity and ask if they are in need of cabinets for any of their current projects. Quite often, they will uninstall them for you. The bonus is this donation is tax-deductible.

3. Ask your cabinet installer if he will uninstall them carefully as part of the new cabinet installation. Many contractors will offer you a deal if you allow them to take your good-condition cabinets for resale.

Reuse Them in Your Home

4. Add the cabinets to your garage or shed to store seasonal items, tools or sports equipment.

5. Refinish or paint two cabinets of the same size to create end tables.

6. Move the cabinets to a closet to add storage for winter coats and summer swimming gear.

7. Install used cabinets in your laundry or utility room to store household chemicals or non-perishable food bought in bulk.

Other Recycling Options

8. Call your local high school shop teachers. They may be able to put your old cabinets to good use in class. Ask for a donation form so you can deduct this donation from your taxes.

9. Contact homeless shelters and food banks in your area. They may need additional storage.

10. Contact your local recycling center if your cabinets are in poor condition or you can’t find anyone else that needs them. Wood is usually recycled to create new products.

Tips & Warnings

• To get the most out of your cabinet recycling, uninstall rather than demolish them. While this may seem like it takes more time than smashing them off the wall, you’ll save time repairing damage to the wall and studs.