Can You Recycle Old Blinds?

Updating your blinds is an easy and low-cost way to completely transform your interior. If your blinds are looking a little worn, dated or you just fancy a change, it might be time to look for a replacement. But what do you do with your old blinds? 

Nowadays, most consumers tend to be much more environmentally aware and will probably look to recycle old items rather than throw them straight in the bin. But can you recycle old blinds? This largely depends on what kind of material they’re made of, so the team at Solo Blinds has written this handy guide to help you out.

Wooden blinds

As wood is a recyclable material, you might assume that your wooden blinds are too. However, wooden blinds are usually either stained, painted or chemically treated. While this is good for their longevity, it does mean that this wood is now classed as contaminated and therefore can’t be recycled.

Faux wood blinds

Faux wood blinds are typically made from a blend of wood and either PVC or vinyl. As such, these materials can’t be separated and reused again, so it’s not possible to recycle faux wood blinds.

Fabric blinds

Fabric blinds are always in demand and can be easily recycled by your local textiles plant. However, you may need to cut away any non-recyclable components, such as cords or any metal parts, before recycling them to ensure they are accepted.

Be sure to check the condition of your blinds before taking them to be recycled; if the fabric has grown mildew – perhaps your blinds have been hanging in a poorly ventilated bathroom for a while – then it may be best to throw them out completely to prevent any mould from spreading.

Vinyl blinds

Although plastic and vinyl blinds can usually be recycled, they’re not accepted by every recycling centre. It’s best to give your local facility a call and check their policy before dropping anything off.

Aluminium blinds

Most recycling centres are more than happy to take blinds made from 100% aluminium. However, you will need to remove any non-recyclable hardware first. Depending on the style of blinds you have, this may involve dismantling them completely to cut away any cords or chains.

So, what can I do with blinds that can’t be recycled?

Donate

If your blinds are still in pretty good nick, it would be a shame to see them go to waste – why not donate them to someone else? Perhaps you’ve got a friend or family member who’s looking to redo their interior on a budget? Alternatively, most charity shops are always on the lookout for second-hand blinds and curtains and will ensure that your unwanted items go to a good home while raising some much-needed funds.

Upcycle

In recent years, the upcycling movement has been booming as more people look for ways to be more sustainable in their everyday lives. Upcycling is a way of creatively repurposing unwanted household items into new and exciting creations while also reducing waste.

There are plenty of ways that old blinds can be upcycled – the only limit is your imagination. Fabric blinds are particularly useful and can be used to make a whole host of new items such as pillowcases, tote bags, accessories and more  – as roller blinds are so sturdy, they could even be used as an art canvas. Wooden blinds are also great for use in the garden; the sturdy slats can be used to make plant markers or as support for growing plants.

If you’re looking to replace your old or unwanted blinds, the team at Solo Blinds can help. We supply and install an extensive range of stylish blinds that are sure to upgrade any interior, with a wide variety of colour, material and finish options available. Our experienced team has years of experience to their name and can work closely with you to find the right product for your home.

For more than 40 years now, we’ve been operating across the North East – including Cramlington, Ashington, Morpeth and Blyth. Simply contact us to find out more or to arrange a consultation.