What if it can’t be repaired?

Trying to repair an item is always the best solution, but what happens if it truly can’t be fixed? Instead of throwing it in the trash, there are sustainable and responsible options that reduce waste and protect the environment. Here’s what you can do!

1. Recycling – Give old items a new life

Many items, even if they no longer work, contain materials that can be recycled and reused.

  • Electrical and electronic devices: Most components can be separated and reused. In Greece, you can find the nearest recycling points through the Appliances Recycling network.
  • Furniture and wooden items: If they can’t be repaired, parts of them can be used for DIY projects or recycled as timber.
  • Shoes and clothes: Many old fabrics can be turned into industrial cleaning cloths or used in the production of new products.

2. Reuse – Creativity instead of disposal

Many items we consider useless can take on new purposes:

  • Upcycling & DIY projects:
    • Old devices can be turned into decorative pieces or storage solutions.
    • Worn-out furniture can be painted or used in new construction projects.
    • Old clothes or shoes can be transformed into accessories or even decorative items.
  • Donation:
    • Even if you can’t fix it, maybe someone else can! Various organizations and repair workshops accept item donations for reuse or spare parts.

3. Proper disposal – No to landfills!

If an item can’t be recycled or reused, make sure you dispose of it properly:

  • Many municipalities offer special collection points for bulky waste, so landfills aren’t overloaded.
  • Use specialized recycling bins for electrical devices, batteries, glass, and other materials.
  • For hazardous waste (batteries, light bulbs, electronics), look for special recycling points via anakyklosianthess.gr.

🌍 Small actions, big impact!

By choosing repair, recycling, or reuse over disposal, we help reduce waste and support the planet’s sustainability. Something might no longer be useful to you, but it could be valuable to someone else—or repurposed in creative ways!

🔗 Find more information about recycling in Thessaloniki at anakyklosianthess.gr