Best Recycling Based Business Ideas

In this article, we’ll outline our top Recycling Based Business Ideas. For each of these Recycling business ideas, we’ve ranked their startup costs, required skill level, and earning potential to help you decide which one is right for you.

You can also read our business formation guide to start your Recycling Business Idea today.

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Best Recycling Based Business Ideas for 2024

1. SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS BUSINESS

Sustainable Construction Materials Business Image

A sustainable construction materials business specializes in offering alternatives to traditional building materials. Whether recycled or reclaimed, such as steel or hardwoods, or harvested biomass, such as bamboo, straw or hemp, sustainable building materials companies are creating eco-safe options for our changing world.

Learn how to start a sustainable construction materials business.

2. TECH REFURBISHER

Tech Refurbisher Business Image

A tech refurbishing business provides repair services for personal tech devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops, and similar devices. Tech refurbishing businesses help customers get their devices up and running after accidents, breakage, malware compromises, and any other problems that may impact your device.

It can be pretty upsetting when an expensive piece of personal tech stops working or breaks. These businesses offer repair and refurbishment solutions that people need and appreciate – solutions that keep customers connected, communicating, working, and having fun with their devices.

Learn how to start a tech refurbisher business.

3. PAPER RECYCLING BUSINESS

Paper Recycling Business Image

Despite the digital revolution brought about by computers, people continue to use enormous amounts of paper. Up to 40 percent of municipal solid waste is paper, which creates a huge need for paper recycling. Recycling, after all, is the most environmentally responsible way to dispose of old paper.

Paper recycling businesses play a critical role in the recycling process. They collect unwanted paper from individuals and businesses, and then deliver it to paper recycling facilities. In turn, recycling facilities pay for the paper they’re brought.

Learn how to start a paper recycling business.

4. ANTIQUE STORE

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Your antique store may sell items online, in a booth at an antique mall, at craft fairs or flea markets, or in your own stand alone store front--or in a combination of all of those places. You will constantly procure new items for your store and work to resell quickly and at a profit

Most antique dealers specialize in a specific segment of antiques such as furniture, vintage jewelry, printed media, or even commercial signs

Learn how to start an antique store.

Find a Web Domain For Your Recycling-Focused Business

Securing a web domain and creating a quality website is important for the overall success of a recycling-focused business. You can search for an available domain below:

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5. BARREL MAKING BUSINESS

Barrel Making Business Image

A barrel making business, or cooperage, as traditionally named, is a business which specializes in the crafting and construction of wooden barrels and casks.

Learn how to start a barrel making business.

6. COMPOST BUSINESS

Compost Business Image

A composting business helps keep the community clean by composting leaves and recyclable organic materials. From this raw material, compost is created, which can then be sold to consumers or used on farms or in residential areas.

Composting businesses typically operate out of a large facility where the composting takes place. They may pick up other people’s compost for a fee, or accept drop-offs for a fee.

Learn how to start a compost business.

7. METAL RECYCLING COMPANY

Metal Recycling Company Business Image

As a small metal recycler you may be collecting metals from construction sites, demolition companies, homeowners and small businesses before you sort and sell them to a local scrap yard. A full-service metal recycler accepts large quantities of scrap from the small scrap yards, junk yards, and municipal collection points and breaks down each item into separate materials and prepare them for shipment to a manufacturer. This business requires extensive acreage, machinery, and hardworking employees.

Learn how to start a metal recycling company.

8. JUNKYARD

Junkyard Business Image

A junkyard, also commonly known as a salvage business, collects items consumers no longer deem usable. This “scrap” is then transformed to meet the requirements of specific buyers. Scraps and raw materials can be acquired from junked appliances, vehicles, furniture, and demolished houses.

Junkyard owners dealing in automobiles acquire decommissioned vehicles from individuals and companies. They serve as either a short-term collection and storage facility for vehicles on their way to another destination or as the auto’s final resting place. For the latter, junkyard owners remove any valuable parts for resale and crush the rest.

Learn how to start a junkyard.

9. JUNK REMOVAL BUSINESS

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Whenever unwanted belongings cannot be thrown out in the normal trash, a junk removal service can help. People and businesses need help hauling away broken furniture, clearing out an attic full of trash, or even emptying an estate or foreclosure. The junk removal industry is competitive but growing, and you can start from scratch or buy into a franchise.

 If you’re up for the challenge, owning a junk removal business can be a profitable and rewarding adventure that involves not only hauling heavy garbage but also scouting local donation and recycling solutions.

Learn how to start a junk removal business.

10. MUSICAL INSTRUMENT REPAIR BUSINESS

Musical Instrument Repair Business Image

Musical instrument ownership in the United States is high. According to a 25-year-anniversary report from the International Music Products Association, about half (52 percent) of U.S. households have at least one instrument-owning musician. Of those that have a musician, about half (48 percent) have two or more family members who play something.

Musical instrument repair businesses service and repair instruments when they need routine maintenance or break. With so many people owning instruments, there is high demand for repair work.

Learn how to start a musical instrument repair business.

11. PACKAGING DESIGN BUSINESS

Packaging Design Business Image

A packaging design business enhances packages with visual graphics while also designing existing product packages. A package design business, ultimately, protects products for sale, transportation, distribution, storage, and use.

A package’s design includes both its structural and aesthetic design. Ideally, a package design will be enhanced by graphics. In most cases, a package’s design is product-centric. From all angles, a package exists to serve the product.

Learn how to start a packaging design business.

12. RESALE BUSINESS

Resale Business Image

Resale businesses contribute to environmental sustainability by recycling clothing, furniture, and other household items. Many resale businesses operate online, while others maintain physical stores within local communities. Some accept donations only on-site, while others provide pickup services. Resale business owners and employees create attractive displays that change frequently according to available goods and the popularity of particular brands or items.

Typically, resale business owners maintain mutually beneficial relationships with charitable community organizations as well as their regular customers.

Learn how to start a resale business.

13. FURNITURE UPCYCLING BUSINESS

Furniture Upcycling Business Image

Part of upcycling can be simple refurbishment, and part of it is re-styling it. New covers, new coats of paint, and other new changes can make something old and worn down into something chic and modern. The business also scales nicely, letting you grow from a solo operation to a team, if necessary.

Learn how to start a furniture upcycling business.

14. ELECTRONICS REPAIR BUSINESS

Electronics Repair Business Image

This type of business repairs damaged or malfunctioning equipment such as televisions, stereos, computers, phones, and gaming devices. Repair technicians charge a fixed rate for labor in addition to the cost of new parts.

Learn how to start an electronics repair business.

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