(Washington, DC) As residents across the city receive new, wheeled recycling carts, many are wondering what to do with their old recycling bins. Over the past several weeks, the Department of Public Works (DPW) has received numerous recommendations for creative reuses for the heavy-duty plastic bins.

The most popular suggestions involve simply turning the bin into:
	1.	A laundry basket.
	2.	A handy storage container for such things as firewood, vinyl record albums, charcoal, garden tools,cleaning supplies, bulky sports gear, pet food, toys, Christmas ornaments, and extension cords.
Other ideas are more ambitious, including:
	3.	Using it as a lightweight toboggan on snowy days.
	4.	Affixing wheels and using it as a go-cart or wagon.
	5.	Spray painting it and using it as a planter for tomato plants.
	6.	Filling it partway with dirt and using it as a composting bin.
	7.	Cutting down one side (for easier access) and using it as a deep litter box.
	8.	Flipping the bin over, spray painting it and using it as an outdoor table next to a lawn chair.
	9.	Drilling holes in the rim and using it for hanging legal-size files (add wheels for greater utility).
	10.	Padding the inside with old towels and using is as a "birthing room" for an expectant mother cat or small dog. High sides keep new kittens or puppies safe.

For those who simply want to be rid of their old bins, DPW will accept them at both of the upcoming E-Cycling and/or Household Hazardous Waste drop-off events at Carter Barron Amphitheatre, from 9 am–3 pm on Saturday, April 23 and on Saturday, May 14.

Just drop off the old bins and DPW staff will see that they are sent to a recyclables processing plant where they will be held until the facility has enough of that type of plastic to process a full batch. Since the bins are a different grade of plastic and have a different melt point than the "Number 2" plastic bottles our recycling facility normally handles, the bins must be processed separately from other plastics.