Borrow an idea from Shopgirl and turn a basic pine hutch into an orderly recycling center. The best part is it corrals everything and, after adding items, you can close the door. Organization is the key to recycling daily. Before planning your cabinet, check with your local recycling center to learn what materials are accepted; plan your space accordingly.

Sort and store: Save drink holders to corral used cans and bottles. Wrap newspapers with twine and then simply stack them. Plastic lids and caps are generally made of a different material than their containers and need to be sorted separately.

Practical placement: Collect used household batteries to take to local drop-offs. Reuse shredded papers as packing material. Gather old phone books and magazines in a wire bin.

The hang-up: Keep a towel handy to wipe up spills. Scissors are useful for cutting twine or breaking down boxes. Post a recycling guide for quick reference. And don’t forget a hook for your reusable grocery bag.