recycling business ideas

Best 25 Recycling Business Ideas with Good Profit

Do you want to start a recycling business? Find here a list of profitable recycling business ideas and opportunities in different industries.

What is Recycling?

Let us first understand what actually is recycling. Actually, when you convert waste materials into new materials and objects, the process is called recycling. And it has several benefits to the environment too.

Generally, recycling can prevent the waste of potentially useful materials. Additionally, it reduces the consumption of fresh raw materials. So, indirectly it helps to reduce energy usage, air pollution (from incineration), and water pollution. And when you can generate profit from the entire process, then it is called a recycling business.

Why Recycling Business?

These days, the waste garbage and recycling industries offer a wide range of business opportunities to entrepreneurs. And due to the increasing use of disposable items, the demand for different types of recycling businesses is also increased.

The recycling industry could reach 81.30 billion US-Dollar by 2028. So, it is really a great time to start a recycling business to earn money.

List of 25 Recycling Business Ideas

#1. E-waste Recycling

Actually, e-waste stands for electronic waste. Due to the rapid growth in the consumer electronics industry, e-waste becomes a major polluting factor in the environment. Therefore, the e-waste recycling business is now a profitable opportunity for entrepreneurs. The e-waste caters to a wide range of recyclable items. So, you must prepare the business model carefully according to your investment capacity.

Suggested Read: How To Start E-waste Recycling Company

#2. Battery Recycling

The battery is an important item in several types of machinery and automobiles. And it has a specific period of shelf life. After that, it needs to get changed. However, from the used battery you can produce new batteries through a simple process. The activity needs a small area. Hence, you can start a business at home also.

#3. Bookbinding & Repair

This is another great home-based recycling business you can start with almost zero capital investment. However, you must put effort into intensive marketing in your locality. Bookbinding demands skill and expertise. In addition, you can also provide a photo framing service too.

#4. Cartridge Refilling

A small cartridge refilling business has enough potential of earning a good income. Though you can start the business from home, a retail store operation always ensures better revenue. With small startup capital, you can start this business.

#5. Cloth Diaper Service

Actually, cloth diapers are more comfortable and environmentally free than disposable diapers. Though disposable diapers are handier, cloth diapers are a cheaper alternative. So, it is a natural choice for conscious parents. Initially, you must set up the business model according to your investment capacity.

#6. Commercial Dustbin

Putting the large litter box in prominent places with the advertisement can bring you a lot of money. However, you need to place the litter can in high-traffic areas. You can put it in the market areas, in front of shopping malls, or inside commercial buildings.

#7. Computer Recycling

Computers have so many precious items that you can get through recycling. And there are several online sites that buy the computer parts like the motherboard, and the hard disk in bulk. The business is highly profitable. Additionally, you can start and operate the business from home.

#8. Construction Waste Recycling

Regardless of the project size, construction projects produce a lot of waste. Construction waste recycling is the separation and recycling of recoverable waste materials generated during construction and remodeling. Definitely, the business demand specific technical skill and knowledge. So, you must have some prior experience before initiating the business.

#9. Cooking Oil Recycling

Cooking oil recycling is a high-profit recycling business you can start with a small startup investment. Effectively, you can produce so many items from used cooking oils including detergent, paint, soap, and bio-diesel. The recycling process is simple. However, the business demands a unit to set up a workshop.

#10. Copper Recycling

Apart from only copper wires, about 75% of all copper-based products are made from recycled copper. Basically, copper is a cost-effective material to recycle. Hence, the copper recycling business is highly lucrative for new entrepreneurs. However, the business demands moderate capital investment and strategic planning.

#11. Electric Wire Recycling

Basically, the electrical wire is a conductive metal wrapped in plastic insulation. Sometimes the wire comes in copper, aluminum, or even steel. Depending on your investment capacity, you must set up the business. Because you need to invest in procuring machinery and hiring manpower.

#12. Aluminum Can Recycling

Basically, aluminum recycling is a process where you can produce reusable products from scrap aluminum. And only through melting you can produce reusable items. The process is less expensive than producing new products. Therefore, the business is highly profitable and lucrative.

#13. Glass Recycling

Actually, any type of glass item is 100% recyclable. As glass items are highly fragile, there is enough amount of scrap glass on this planet for recycling. Additionally, recycled glass can be substituted for up to 95% of raw materials. The glass recycling business demands moderate capital investment for procuring machinery, establishing the unit, and hiring skilled manpower.

#14. Gold Recycling

Actually, gold is the most precious metal in this world. There are several electronic items where you can get gold after recycling. Practically, there are several sources where you can get gold for recycling. As gold recycling is a cost-effective way of producing gold, it is a profitable recycling business nowadays.

#15. Junkyard Furniture

If you want to start an innovative kind of business that demands a bit of creativity, then you can consider this business. Actually, in this business, you will need to create functional furniture from discarded items. Just procure the materials from the scrap yard and assembled them. This is an interesting venture to initiate. And these are unique kinds of furniture that people buy on a single-piece available basis.

#16. Mattress Recycling

If you want to start a recycling business that addresses a wide population, then you can consider mattress recycling. Generally, you can buy mattresses from homeowners, hotels, hospitals, hostels, etc. After recycling them, sell the mattresses to potential clients. All you need is to have a business website to operate the business virtually.

#17. Medical Waste Recycling

Hospitals and other medical institutions produce a number of medical waste every day. And it needs daily basis removal for maintaining cleanliness and hygiene. However, you must check with the local Govt authority about the licensing and permissions before initiating the business.

#18. Paper Recycling

If you want to start a recycling business that involves an easy process then paper recycling is just perfect for you. Additionally, you can start the business with moderate capital investment and infrastructure costs. In starting this business, you need to set up a plant and unit with specific machinery.

Read: Best Paper Business Ideas

#19. Plastic Recycling

Plastic recycling is all about recovering scrap or waste plastics and reprocessing the material into useful products. According to the properties, there are several different types of plastics and polymers. The business is highly lucrative and demands moderate capital investment. Additionally, you must check if the business requires any specific licenses or permissions.

#20. Tire Retreading

Actually, vehicle tires need a frequent changes after a certain duration of time. And it’s a regular expense for the vehicle owners. Tyre Retreading is a new technology. After applying this method the old tires become serviceable and usable. The part of the tire that comes in contact with the surface of the road is known as the tread.

Suggested Read: How to Start Tyre Retreading Business

#21. Used Appliances Selling

This is another great recycling business you can start both as a home-based and from a retail location. Here, you can buy secondhand products and after repairing sell the products to people who want to buy good products at a cheaper rate.

The business demands specific skills in the electrical and electronics field. With a small startup capital, you can initiate this business.

#22. Used Kids Garments

This is another lucrative recycling business you can start at a low cost. Actually, babies grow very fast. And they require clothes in different sizes as they grow. So, you can help parents who want to buy used kids’ garments. Though you can monitor the business from a business website, you need to determine the areas where you want to operate the business.

#23. Vermicompost

If you want to start an eco-friendly business, then you can consider vermicompost production. With a very small space and even from your backyard, you can start this business. Actually, you need to have worms of a specific variety that can convert the garbage into compost organic fertilizer.

#24. Waste Collection Hub

A waste collection hub is a popular recycling business to start in metro cities or municipal areas. Basically, waste collection hubs have arrangements for waste management. Therefore, the business demands capital investment for establishing the unit and procuring machinery.

#25. Mattress Recycling

Mattresses are one of the most disposed household items across the world. Hence, mattress recycling can be a profitable business for entrepreneurs. You can source disposed-off mattresses easily from municipalities, households, hotels, etc. However, to run this business, you will need a space for stocking abandoned mattresses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Waste?

Waste is those substances that are unwanted and left for no use. Broadly there are two types of waste that are found in most places. One is the biodegradable type like biodegradable plastics, human wastes, plant wastes, food wastes, etc. These items break down naturally and do not require processing.

The other one is non-biodegradable wastes that do not break down naturally and adds toxicity and pollution to mother earth. It includes electronic waste, plastic waste, aluminum waste, etc.

Which Recycling Business is Most Profitable?

In present-day recycling almost all non-biodegradable items are profitable. However, plastic, waste, and metal scraps still are the most profitable recycling businesses.

Nowadays, recycling is a sunshine industry. As the overall population is growing the demand for waste recycling is also increasing. With updated technology and moderate infrastructure, you can definitely start a profitable recycling business on any day you want.