There's little doubt that humanity is adversely affecting the environment with trash. Home remodeling projects produce a lot of old materials that can find their way into landfills and waterways unless homeowners try to recycle or repurpose them. When you're responsible with these materials, you keep harmful chemicals and debris out of the environment. If you've ever wondered how easy it is to extend the life of old materials like bricks, cardboard, concrete, glass, green waste, metal, plastic and timber after you tear them out of your home, consider the following three ways you can quickly make a difference during your next remodel:

Make a Donation

Plenty of non-profit organizations need construction materials. Talk to representatives at a local school, community center, fire station or church about making a donation of your supplies. Another option: Post online ads on a free recycling network, classified ads site, or free, thrifty or community group on a social networking platform. Always make certain that you're as detailed as possible about the state of the materials to guarantee that recipients understand that there might be broken or irregular pieces.

Explore DIY Projects

Many homeowners and renters decide to upcycle materials from remodeling projects. Old floorboards that are in good shape can become a patio table or plant stand. Use old windows to build a greenhouse or solar dehydrator. If you have a lot of old tiny tiles, you can find a lot of online guides about using them to create mosaics for wall art, stepping stones and even patio floors. To find a project that matches your materials, perform a keyword search on an online search engine, craft-based app or handmade craft market site.

Use a Service

When you don't have the time to make a donation or explore your DIY craft dreams, the next option is to simply toss the materials. Yet, you don't have to send them off to a landfill. Hire a company to provide you with skip bins for responsible recycling. Many companies recycle and/or resell old materials that they receive in their skip bins. These firms build relationships with other companies that recycle and reuse these materials as well. Although you pay to rent the bin, you're paying for more than the company hauling away old debris and trash. You're paying for the guarantee that most of the materials will be reused so that they don't become part of the growing global trash problem.

At the end of the day, you can be a part of the environmental waste problem or seeking solutions. Many old materials from remodels can even be torn apart and remade into new aggregate materials. For example, old bricks, stones, mortar and concrete can be turned into new construction and even home decor products. The process starts with a homeowner who takes extra steps to protect the environment. By trying one or more of these ideas today, you can get rid of old remodeling waste and help improve the world.