Can You Recycle Fridge Magnets? What You Need To Know 🧲 (2024)

Can You Recycle Fridge Magnets? 🧲: Another day, another opportunity to teach people the importance of waste management and recycling. Today, I will discuss with you a magnet’s recyclability. Read on to learn everything about it.

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A bit about Waster

Before we discuss whether you can recycle fridge magnets or not, let me share with you more information about Waster.

We here at Waster provide you with innovative solutions for your and your business’s waste management and recycling needs. Furthermore, we provide flexible, 30-day contracts instead of the typical lock-in contracts, which proves to be better.

Click on the blue button to learn more.

READ: Are Envelope Windows Recyclable? ✉️

No, you cannot recycle fridge magnets

One of the most common things we see on people’s fridges is fridge magnets they have collected. They have collected them from various occasions like weddings, businesses, or even as a souvenirs they bought from their travels. But what if you run out of space to stick it on and suddenly want to dispose of it? Can you recycle these collected fridge magnets, instead? Unfortunately, the answer is no.

Basically, recycling fridge magnets – or any other type of magnets – is impossible. Being the environmentalists that we are, it is quite understandable that we want to dispose of them in an environmentally friendly way, but recycling is not an option. So, what else can we do with them? Let me explain in the next section.

Can You Recycle Fridge Magnets? What You Need To Know 🧲 (1)

Other things we can do with magnets

Even though they are not recyclable, you can still do many things with fridge magnets and the like. Some websites dedicated to recycling and waste management like Garbage Guru and us, Waster, dedicate our time to helping you dispose of your excess or discarded magnets – even without the possibility to recycle them.

As a result, here I have come up with other things you can do with your magnets:

Repurpose them

Fridge magnets do not need to be hanging on fridges to be labelled as “useful”. You can repurpose them to fit your needs. For example, you can use them as a paper clip stopper in your desks so that these small, pesky paper clips are kept safe and not lost. Next, you can also use them as designs for children to ponder on and enjoy!

Donate them

The best thing you could do to dispose of them is to donate them to someone, instead. Maybe your next-door neighbour found one of your magnets cute when you invited him/her to your house for dinner; give it to your neighbour and make his/her day.

Try to upcycle them

Even if we cannot recycle fridge magnets, we can still try to upcycle them. What do I mean by upcycling? And how is this different from recycling? Well, to upcycle basically means to improve the discarded material without altering the look immensely. The main difference between upcycling and recycling is that an already-useless item is turned into something useful while upcycling simply means turning a product into something of much higher quality. Additionally, you can upcycle your fridge magnets on your own. You do not need to send them to recycling facilities. I will share some examples in the next section.

Let Reverse Garbage handle them for you

If you searched the terms “can you recycle magnets in Australia?” in a search engine like Google, maybe you will come across and end up in Reverse Garbage’s website. After all, they accept different kinds of materials for reuse. Click their website to learn more about their services; call them if you need your questions on fridge magnet recycling to be answered.

If you do not have any other options, throw them in the trash bin

After all, you cannot recycle fridge magnets. Just throw them in the general waste bin if no options arise.

Do not recycle them, upcycle fridge magnets, instead!

Before I continue, have you heard ofWaster’s charitable partnershipwithGreenfleet? We decided to help in reducing carbon emissions by teaming up with them! Check it out on our official website.

As I have mentioned above, one of the best things you could do to fridge magnets is to upcycle them. There are many different art websites that teach you how to turn your fridge magnets into something aesthetically pleasing. Weekend Notes published a blog last year that teaches us how to “recycle” magnets. Here are the examples (check the given website to see the pictures):

1. Fridge magnet tangram

As per Weekend Notes, the first thing you could do with your fridge magnets is to turn them into a tangram. Basically, it is a fun, enjoyable Chinese puzzle wherein you can use your creativity to form different shapes.

2. Tote bag magnetic closer

Next on their list is creating a magnetic closer that can be used for tote bags – or any bags, using your creativity. This can help keep your bags sealed close, all the while maximising your creativity and artistry.

3. Photo magnets

Maybe you do not really want to throw away your fridge magnets; instead, you want to redesign them to have a more visually pleasing fridge. Then this is the perfect thing you can do with your magnets! Create fridge magnets with photos by using your old, beautiful photographs, postcards, and the like and paste them on your magnets. Additionally, you can add in a cool effect by cutting up the pictures and magnets both into smaller pieces to create a magnetic jigsaw puzzle.

Can you recycle fridge magnets? conclusion

Sadly, you cannot recycle fridge magnets. You can bet that there are many discarded magnets in landfills. But we can avoid this by repurposing, reusing, and upcycling them. Furthermore, you can also awaken your artist inside and turn them into art.

Waster: things you need to know

If you’re looking for recycling bins, check ourwaste recycling shopand find the best deals in terms of pricing and services.

Also, please call1300 WASTER (1300 927 837), or email us at[emailprotected]if you have any further questions.

Can You Recycle Fridge Magnets? What You Need To Know 🧲 (2024)

FAQs

Can You Recycle Fridge Magnets? What You Need To Know 🧲? ›

Magnets such as fridge magnets or other household magnets are not recyclable and need to go in your red bin. Consider reusing or repurposing magnets for arts and crafts or donating items in good condition to op shops. You can also reduce waste by avoiding promotional magnets where possible.

Can I recycle fridge magnets? ›

Magnets such as fridge magnets or other household magnets are not recyclable and need to go in your red bin. Consider reusing or repurposing magnets for arts and crafts or donating items in good condition to op shops. You can also reduce waste by avoiding promotional magnets where possible.

Should you recycle magnets? ›

Magnets can be recycled, but the process can be challenging due to the strength of the magnets and the materials used in their construction. Recycling magnets is beneficial for the environment as it reduces the need for new materials and prevents hazardous materials from entering landfills.

Who collects fridge magnets? ›

I bet you didn't know, a collector of refrigerator magnets is called a memomagnetist. That's OK, I didn't know it either! It is derived from the words memoriale (Latin for memory) and magnetis (Greek for magnetic).

Can permanent magnets be recycled? ›

Due to non-standardized magnet types direct reuse is typically not practiced. Recovery of pure elements from permanent magnets through chemical extraction is an energetically extensive process, however the pure rare earth elements or rare earth oxides can be directly returned into the market.

What can I do with old refrigerator magnets? ›

Reusing Magnets
  • Re-cover promotional magnets with different images to make your own magnetic pictures.
  • Cut flexible sheet magnets up to make magnetic puzzles or DIY magnetic alphabet.
  • Attach small objects to small disc magnets to create custom fridge magnets.
Apr 24, 2023

Why can't magnets be recycled? ›

While many magnets are produced from non-renewable rare earth metals, their environmental impact is offset by their ability to be infinitely recycled. Permanent magnets can be recycled in the device after device, though many people don't recycle them because they are unaware of their potential.

What do you do with fridge magnets? ›

Repurpose them

Fridge magnets do not need to be hanging on fridges to be labelled as “useful”. You can repurpose them to fit your needs. For example, you can use them as a paper clip stopper in your desks so that these small, pesky paper clips are kept safe and not lost.

Do magnets go in the garbage? ›

Reuse or repurpose magnets for arts and crafts and other projects. Otherwise, put all types of magnets into your black cart as garbage.

Do magnets have scrap value? ›

If the magnet sticks, you have a ferrous metal.

And since they're easily available, ferrous metals won't amount to much. Nevertheless, scrap yards still accept them for recycling and will pay you for them.

Is there a market for fridge magnets? ›

Key Insights from Fridge Magnets Market Report

The Worldwide Fridge Magnets market size will be USD 1.3 billion in 2023 and will grow at a CAGR of 6.60% from 2023 to 2030.

Where do you put refrigerator magnets? ›

Choose a magnet design that holds special significance and place it dominantly in the centre of your fridge Then, tastefully surround it with other complementary magnets, allowing that central image to serve as a captivating focal point, drawing attention and sparking conversations.

Why do people collect fridge magnets? ›

Of the 19 participants who were interviewed, many said they were reminded of their holidays every time they opened the fridge door. Some magnets had become attached to more poignant memories over the years, serving as a reminder of trips taken with friends or family members who had since died.

How do you dispose of permanent magnets? ›

All strong permanent magnets should be thermally demagnetized prior to disposal. Alternatively, all strong permanent magnets should be placed in a steel container prior to disposal so the magnets do not attract waste disposal equipment or refuse containers.

What not to do with a magnet? ›

Magnets are not toys; make sure that children do not play with magnets. Keep track of small magnets and store them in child-proof locations. Wear safety glasses when handling non-coated magnets as forceful impacts (snapping together) can cause chips which pose an eye hazard.

Are magnets considered hazardous waste? ›

A magnetized material is considered a hazardous material and is regulated as a hazard class 9 material when it is offered for transportation by air and when it has a magnetic field strength capable of causing the deviation of aircraft instruments.

Can you scrap magnets? ›

If the magnet sticks, you have a ferrous metal.

Nevertheless, scrap yards still accept them for recycling and will pay you for them.

Is magnetic metal recyclable? ›

Magnets are also metal products and therefore can be recycled. But magnet recycling is different from ordinary metal. Magnets are mostly made of various rare earth materials. For the recycling of magnets, the main consideration is to recycle the different rare earth metals.

Are soft magnets recyclable? ›

Refrigerator magnets can be made from rubber, PVC plastic, metal, porcelain, epoxy, ceramic, acrylic, or a mixture of some of these materials. Like almost any mixed material item, recycling is not possible.

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