You can turn trash into cash—and it happens every day. Ordinary people earn anywhere from a few extra dollars to hundreds of U.S. dollars by selling waste. Some even turn it into a full-time income.

Back in 2010, the average American produced about 4.5 pounds of waste per day. By 2014, the United States was generating 258 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) annually.

Of that amount:

• Only 34.6% (89 million tons) was recycled

• 33 million tons were burned to recover energy

• 136 million tons ended up in landfills

So how can you turn your waste into money? Let’s dig through the trash and uncover cash opportunities.

Turn Trash Into Cash | 5 Trash-Bound Items That Can Make You Money Today

Turn Old Clothes and Shoes Into Cash

Did you know that Americans throw away over 68 pounds of clothing per person each year?

In major cities like New York and Chicago, textiles make up about 10% of total waste. Nationwide, 6.3% of U.S. waste comes from clothing. According to Forbes, American families spend an average of $1,700 on clothing items yearly.

According to Forbes, the average American family spends $1,700 annually on clothing, while Psychology Today reports that Americans spend over $100 billion on shoes, watches, and jewelry—more than they spend on higher education.

Despite this spending:

• 85% of discarded clothing ends up in landfills

• That’s 13 million tons of textiles every year

The good news? You can turn trash into cash by reselling clothes.

Best Places to Sell Old Clothes Online

thredUp

• Request a clean-out bag

• They handle photography, pricing, and selling

• Earn up to 80% of resale value

• Get paid via PayPal or store credit

• Unsold items are donated

Material World

• Best for designer clothing

• Use their pricing estimator before sending items

• Receive a quote and a free trade-in bag

• Get paid via electronic gift cards

• Highly selective—review guidelines carefully

The RealReal

• Earn up to 70% commission after items sell

• Free shipping label provided

• They authenticate, photograph, and price items

• White Glove Service available for 10+ items (home pickup)

Other platforms to try:

• Tradesy

• ThreadFlip

• Poshmark

Turn Everyday Trash Into Cash

Some of the most trash-bound items can actually make you money.

Items You Can Sell Right Now

Wine Corks and Bottles

• Sell to DIY artists on eBay

• Corks sell for about $0.10 each

• Bottles sell for $0.50 each

• Fancy bottles (e.g., cobalt blue) can sell for $5 per bottle

• Sell corks and bottles separately to maximize profit

• You can also sell corks to Yemm & Hart for a bulk quote

Scrap Metal

• Copper wiring, old locks, metal pipes, and appliances

• Sell locally or list on GoScrap

Cardboard Boxes

• Sell used or unused boxes on Boxcycle

• Free listings, paid via PayPal

Cooking Oil

• If you live in Vermont or New Hampshire, EvironTek collects used cooking oil

• Earn $1 per gallon plus $25 per referral

Junk Mail

• The Small Business Knowledge Center pays for specific junk mail

• Includes financial, telecom, insurance, mortgage, and travel mail

• Earn points and redeem for gift cards

• Rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau

The Alchemy of Turning Aluminum Into Cash

• If you knew how valuable aluminum cans were, you wouldn’t throw them away.

  According to the Aluminum Association:

  “Aluminum is the most recyclable material and more valuable than any other item in the recycling bin.”

  Why Aluminum Is Worth Collecting

  • $800 million paid annually for recycled aluminum cans

  • U.S. aluminum recycling industry is worth $1 billion

  • Americans throw away $1 billion worth of cans every two years

  Bottle Law States = More Money

  Ten U.S. states have “bottle laws” that pay $0.05–$0.10 per can:

  • California

  • Connecticut

  • Hawaii

  • Iowa

  • Maine

  • Massachusetts

  • Michigan

  • New York

  • Oregon

  • Vermont

  In these states:

  • 30 cans can earn $1.50–$3.00

  • That’s 430%–850% more profit than non-bottle-law states

  With consistency, some people earn $400–$2,000 extra per year, and dedicated collectors can make up to $30 per hour.

Now you know. Nothing is a waste. Trash is cash.

Turn Used Toner and Ink Cartridges Into Cash

If you work from home or run a business, you likely go through ink and toner cartridges regularly.

Instead of tossing them, turn trash into cash.

Best Options for Toner and Ink

Evolve Recycling

• Pays cash for used cartridges

• Minimum of 20 items required

• Payment by check

• Transparent price list available

Toner Connect

• Pays top market prices for unused toner and ink

• Get paid before you ship

• Simple, fast selling process

If you work from home or run a small business, then you’re probably consuming a ton of ink or toner cartridges. Toner Connect gives you the best market price. The selling process is as simple as counting one, two, three. And your money will be paid even before you ship your item. Find out more here.

Breed Worms and Turn Trash Into Cash

I almost heard you scream.

“Worms?!”

Oh, yea. Worms.

Those wriggly creatures in compost bins and soil can be surprisingly profitable.

How Worms Make Money

Worms are used for:

• Fishing bait

• Gardening and soil aeration

• Composting

• Pet food (for birds, reptiles, and fish)

Worm Pricing

• About $1.50 per dozen

• On Amazon, 300 red worms sell for around $17

According to WormsEtc, USPS provides the best survival rate for shipping worms, making online selling practical.

You can sell worms on:

• Amazon

• eBay

• Local bait shops

• Gardening communities

Final Thoughts: Turn Trash Into Cash Starting Today

Nothing is truly waste. Trash is cash—if you know where to look.

Start with one item.
Sell it.
Use the money to scale.
Repeat.

If you have unused toner cartridges, let Toner Connect turn them into fast cash. Then move on to clothing, aluminum cans, or even worms.

You’ll be surprised how much money is already sitting in your trash.

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