Top 25 Profitable Recycling Business Ideas & Opportunities

Global warming has become one of the greatest concerns of today. To protect the environment, recycling wastes is a must.  The recycling business has become a much profitable venture at present. There are many kinds of wastes and types of recycling business ideas depend on the industrial outputs.

Before taking up any of the recycling business ideas mentioned below, you should remember a few things. Firstly, decide on your recycling business idea, i.e. what kind of waste you want to recycle. There is plenty of wastes in different sectors like a household waste, construction waste and electronic waste, and so on.

Secondly, after the selection of the Recycling business idea, have a thorough knowledge of the process of recycling and buy machinery accordingly. Thirdly do exhaustive research on the products of recycling along with its marketing and then take up the recycling business idea.

Among the most profitable recycling business ideas are waste paper, e-waste, aluminum, battery, garbage construction waste, etc. By taking up any of the recycling business ideas, you are protecting the environment on one hand and earning profits on the other.

25 Recycling Business Ideas

Find below a selected list of  best profitable low-cost recycling business opportunities:

1. Plastic Recycling Business

The use of plastic is widespread and along with it, plastic is one of the most hazardous causes of global warming. That is why; it is a very profitable recycling business idea. Plastic waste can be recycled into polythene, plastic bottles, cans, buckets, and many other items. At one stage, when plastic is not recyclable, it can be used in construction as an adherent.

ReadHow to Start Waste Plastic Recycling Plant Business

2. Recycling of Construction Waste

This recycling business idea is very profitable. Different kinds of wastes and scraps are obtained from construction sites. They include wood, brick, concrete, steel and other metals, wire, tiles, etc. These can be separated and recycled into various other materials.

3. Paper Recycling Business

The Paper recycling business ides is quite a profitable one. Paper has different qualities and forms. You can treat the waste paper in the machine and recycle it into various paper products like paper cups and plates and packets. It can also be recycled into other forms of paper and thus save a tree.

4. E-Waste Recycling Business

E-waste or electronic waste means old and unused electronic items like radio, TV, mobile phone, refrigerator. This is a very good and profitable recycling business idea.  Recycling them is good for the environment as these devices contain harmful substances like phosphorous, lead, cadmium, etc. which are very harmful to the environment.

Learn More: How to Start E-Waste Recycling Business

5. Computer Recycling 

Old and rejected computers are also good raw materials for recycling and make money.  Different parts of old computers are sold as it is. They include Hard Disc, CD/DVD drive among others. You can also sell the motherboards which have a ready market.

6. PVC Recycling 

PVC or Polyvinyl Chloride is used mainly in the manufacturing of pipes, shades, tanks, etc. You can take the rejected PVC, treat them, and manufacture other goods of PVC. This is a common and useful recycling business idea.

7. Battery Recycling 

The use of the battery is widespread from automobiles to household appliances. So, the battery is an important item in your recycling business ideas. But you have to be knowledgeable about the recycling process and careful about the toxic elements derived during the process of recycling.

Learn More: How to Make Money Recycling Batteries

8. Aluminum Can Recycling 

This is a hassle-free recycling business idea for you on one hand. You can straight away collect the used cans and sell them. On the other hand, you can have your own setup where you will recycle aluminum cans and produce new ones. The profits are quite high in this business.

9. Tire Recycling Business

With the boom in the automobile industry, the tire recycling business is quite a good recycling business idea. A tire is made of rubber, steel, and synthetic fibers. You can recycle all these for the manufacture of new tires. Once again, you have to know the technique, market, and availability of labor.

10. Scrap Metal Recycling Business

This recycling business idea requires high investment but also high returns. Scrap metals contain iron and other metals like aluminum. It can be recycled to make useful things. All of us know the varied use of metals in different things. So, you can very well go for this business.

11. Glass Recycling Business

You can recycle broken glass and make various glass items like crockery, windowpane, etc, which have high and continuous demand. In this recycling business, you have to melt the broken glass pieces and make items as per your choice or market demand.

12. Carton Box Recycling Business

This recycling business idea is quite simple. You have to collect the old and thrown away carton boxes from scrap shops and recycle them. These boxes have widespread demand in the packaging industry, but after it is delivered, it becomes useless and hence scraps.

13. Food Waste Recycling Business

This is an easy and extremely beneficial recycling business idea. So much food is wasted every day and thrown away. By recycling this waste food, you can generate biofuel and organic fertilizers which are much in demand in rural areas. The process of recycling does not emit any harmful or poisonous substance.

14. Wood /Furniture Recycling Business

Furniture often gets out of fashion and is sold out. The wood or furniture recycling business idea is not that complicated. All you need is to dismantle the assembled parts and create a new kind of furniture, utilizing, and trendy. However, you need to have that creative eye as well as skilled craftsmen to translate your ideas.

15. Textile Recycling Business

Used rejected clothes can be a good raw material for the recycling business. On one hand, it can be altered for reuse. However, for recycling, you have to cut them into small bits and pieces and recycle them into threads of different kinds used for making cloth.

16. Recycling Solid Waste to Manufacture Bricks

You can recycle the non-treatable and non-biodegradable solid wastes and use them to make bricks. The waste is compressed and given the shape of bricks. Then you have to polish them for strength and longevity. These bricks have a high demand in the construction business.

17. Recycling Domestic Wastes for Creative Makings

Many of our thrown away things like bottles, cups, old utensils are of great value if recycled creatively. You can make lots of fancy things like the pen holder, flower vase, showpieces from these so-called useless items. It all depends on your creativity and recycling business ideas in a different way.

18. Cooking Oil Filtration and Recycling Business

This is a healthy recycling business idea for you. The leftover oil after cooking can be filtered and recycled for healthy reuse.

Not only cooking oil, but other petroleum oils are also a good source of recycling business ideas. You can filter and recycle them for further use.

19. Water Recycling Plant Business

This recycling business plan can be beneficial for people as a whole, especially in areas with scarcity of water. You can treat Wastewater through distillation and other procedures and transform them into edible water.  This will give you profit and success with lower investment.

20. Farm Waste Recycling Business

You can recycle farm wastes in different ways. Dry leaves can be used for making plates. It can also be used as green manure. Stubbles can be recycled into cardboard, paper, carton boxes, and shades. You can get them from the farmers at a very low price, while your finished goods will fetch a high price.

21. Cartridge Recycling Business

This is an easy and profitable recycling business idea. The printer cartridges are refilled quite a few times. You can set up your cartridge refilling center and refill used cartridges for the service and corporate world.

22. Medical Waste Recycling Business

As you know, medical wastes are in most cases unhealthy and hazardous. Here, you can prove yourself of great help for the hospitals and society, along with making profits for yourself. A large portion of medical wastes like syringes and needles can be recycled.

23. Recycling Plant Business

In this recycling business plan, you need a big capital. However, your profits will also be high. In this business, you will buy recyclable garbage or scrap from the collectors and recycle them for finished goods which will yield you profit.

24. Utensils Recycling Business

We often reject or throw away our old utensils. But these utensils can be the source of your recycling business idea. Most of the utensils are made of steel, copper, or iron. In your recycling unit, you can process them and make new utensils. You can sell them to other business persons. Or you can sell them directly to earn profits.

25. Organic Composting

Vermicompost is a good recycling business to make money. With workable knowledge, you can convert household waste into organic fertilizers following a few simple steps. These organic fertilizers are now much in demand. So you will have a good share of profit.

If you are serious about starting a recycling business, try to gather as much information as possible. Find below a startup guide on starting a recycling business.

Tips To Start a Recycling Business

Knowing how to start a recycling business will offer you a way of earning money in an eco-friendly manner. The recycling business is not about collecting soda cans, bottles, and old paper, but in fact, most profitable recycling businesses concentrate on other items and materials. Such as the gold found in computers and cell phones or re-selling household goods.

Related: How To Start A Profitable Recycling Business

Starting a recycling business requires a good knowledge of where to collect your goods and where to sell them, as well as strong entrepreneurial skills and perseverance. Do some market research and determine the need for a recycling business in your area. In your business territory, check if there are other companies, which have already commenced such business.

Do some market research and determine the need for a recycling business in your area. In your business territory, check if there are other companies, which have already commenced such business. Select the right product. Craft a business plan. Your business plan must contain startup investments, initial capital, the targeted markets, advertising strategies, projected revenue, and operational plan.

Obtain a business license by registering your business.  Check the rules of the governing authority of your are such as Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, Central Pollution Control Board, Environment Protection Act (EPA), The e-waste (management and handling) Rules, and Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules.

Frequently Asked Questions on Recycling Business:

Is recycling a profitable business?

Yes, industry experts are much optimistic about the future of the recycling business. More and more companies are preferring to use recycled materials for their production needs. For example, MNCs like American Airlines and Coca-Cola have made buying recycled products a business strategy in their purchasing system.

How much money do you need to start a recycling business?

The investment to start a recycling business will depend on the scale and nature of the business.  The cost will include a processing facility, drop-offs, salary and wages of employees, equipment, and other utilities.

In the end, it is up to you to find out the right recycling business that suits you. Most importantly, find out the things in demand and implement your recycling business ideas accordingly.