When it comes to recycling, we're all about the little things that make a big difference. From smart shopping with reusable bags and bottles to clever DIY hacks for your home and office, recycling is just one of those things you have to do (and doing it responsibly will save money, time, and resources).

Now we've found a new way for you to do your part: recycling epoxy resin.

1. Know Your Epoxy Resin

The first step to recycling epoxy resin is to make sure that the resin is, in fact, epoxy resin. Epoxy resins are two-part liquid systems usually consisting of a resin and a hardener or curing agent. However, many other additives can be mixed into epoxy resins. Some common examples of these additives include catalysts, fillers, and pigments. Catalysts speed up the rate at which hardeners react with resin components, so they must be used carefully to avoid overflow. Fillers or pigments increase the resin component volume without adding weight and sometimes add hardness to a resin, which can make it difficult to mix. Some additives are safe for use with epoxy resins, while others are not at all safe. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions on your packaging for safety.

2. Be a Good Steward of Our Natural Resources

Recycling resin is an environmentally friendly way to reuse your epoxy resins instead of throwing them in the trash. When you recycle epoxy resin, you are preventing pollution and waste from creating our planet's landfills. You are also helping to preserve our natural resources by using some of the limited waste materials used for resins. Lastly, recycling epoxy resin saves money while maintaining or reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills.

3. Consult the Recycling Center Locator

Before recycling epoxy resin, you should first contact your local recycling center. You can find a recycling center near you by using the address search on this Web site. Be sure to check with your local waste management agency concerning the proper procedures for recycling epoxy resin and any other types of waste materials.

4. Consider Shipping It Out

If you live in a state that allows the shipment of hazardous materials, then make certain that you do not use hazardous materials for your recycled epoxy resin. Epoxy resin is a hazardous substance because of the epoxy component. And because epoxy resins are often used in projects involving electricity, fire, and other dangerous materials, the United States Department of Transportation requires that hazardous materials should not be shipped in interstate commerce.

5. Don't Put It In The Trash

Don't put your old epoxy resins in the trash. Although it is tempting to throw away your old epoxy resin, proper recycling will help prevent the leaching of harmful chemicals and save space at our landfills. While you may think that putting your old epoxy resin in the trash will be fine because it is "not like a can of paint," it is not. The leaching of chemicals from the epoxy resin and then seeping into groundwater or being filtered through the soil can cause serious damage to our environment. Also, there is not really a need to throw away your old epoxy resins just because they have reached their expiration date. You could be using them to make art or other fun projects.

6. Donate To Charity

Donating your epoxy resins to charity is a good way to recycle epoxy resins for those who want or need them. You can donate directly through your local Salvation Army, Goodwill, and other similar organizations that accept resins. However, you should check to make sure that they accept the epoxy resin types that you wish to donate.

7. Keep On Recycling!

The most important thing to remember about recycling epoxy resins is that it is an ongoing process. Even if you use new epoxy resins for a project, some old resin leftovers will still be. So keep on recycling that resin until it runs out for a sustainable environment and improved economy!

8. Buy Less, Recycle More

Buy products made from recycled materials so that there will be less material created from raw materials in the first place. Buy products that are environmentally friendly and helpful to our planet. Choose products that contain more recycled materials than non-recycled materials. Think about what you buy and how it was made. When you choose environmentally friendly products, you are not only helping the earth but also your wallet!

9. Make Like a Tree, and Leaf It

Make sure you don't forget the leaves of the trees while recycling epoxy resins. The leaves are compostable and can be put in your bin with all other organic waste for proper decomposition.

You can do whatever you want with yourself. The answer depends on the individual. Some just throw it in the trash, some recycling, and so forth. I have some epoxy resin I want to reuse tonight, and that's just what I'm going to do at the moment, not here but at home.