The Sustainability of Window Blinds: Exploring Recycling Options
With over 50 million window blinds sold in the United States each year, addressing the recyclability of these ubiquitous household items is an important sustainability consideration.
Are window blinds recyclable? The answer is not straightforward – some window blinds, like aluminum or wood (treated wooden blinds cannot be recycled), are widely recyclable through specialty programs. At the same time, other materials, like vinyl, are more challenging to recycle.
This article will explore whether standard window blind materials can be recycled and examine the recycling options and sustainability impact of different types of blinds.
Window blinds come in many styles and are made from various materials, including vinyl, wood, aluminum, fabric, faux wood, and more. The composition of the blinds determines whether they can be easily recycled or not.
Recyclability by Blind Material
Vinyl blinds
Are among the most popular, given their low cost and durability. However, vinyl is not readily recyclable. Attempting to recycle vinyl blinds in standard municipal recycling programs will likely result in the blinds being sorted into the landfill waste stream.
PVC also releases toxic chlorine gas if burned in incinerators. Specialty vinyl recycling programs exist but are not widely available to most consumers.
Wood blinds
They are a much more sustainable and renewable choice, as wood is biodegradable and can be recycled. Many municipal recycling programs accept wood blinds as long as any metal parts are removed, or the wood is not treated.
Some blind manufacturers like TimberBlindMetroShade will take back old wood blinds and recycle them into new products.
Aluminum blinds
Highly recyclable through general metal recycling programs. Some blind manufacturers like Hunter Douglas and Springs Window Fashions also offer blind recycling programs that accept aluminum blinds.
Aluminum is infinitely recyclable and recycling aluminum blinds gives the material another life in new products while keeping aluminum out of landfills.
Fabric blinds
Have mixed recyclability that depends on the fabric material. Natural fiber fabrics like cotton can often be composted or recycled.
But many fabric window blinds are made from synthetic, non-biodegradable fibers like polyester which currently can’t be recycled. Recycling programs for fabric blinds are rare.
Specialty Blind Recycling Programs
For aluminum and some wood window blinds, specialty blind recycling initiatives offered through retailers and manufacturers provide the easiest recycling option for consumers.
The Hunter Douglas Blind Recycling Program allows consumers to return eligible blinds and shades to participating dealers for free recycling.
Blinds are accepted regardless of brand, as long as they’re predominantly aluminum, vinyl, silicone or wood. The program recycles over 1 million pounds of blinds each year.
Springs Window Fashions also offers a blind recycling program that collects aluminum, steel and wood blinds for repurposing.
They work with recyclers like TerraCycle to turn the materials into park benches and playground equipment.
Smaller blind retailers like Blindsgalore encourage customers to return old blinds to their local showrooms for recycling. Materials like wood, aluminum and vinyl can then be properly recycled through partnerships with manufacturers.
Municipal Blind Recycling
While specialty programs provide the easiest blind recycling option, some standard municipal recycling services are starting to accept certain window blinds as well.
The city of Los Angeles added blinds and shades to their list of curbside recyclable items in 2021. Both aluminum and wood blinds are now accepted in LA city recycling bins along with metal slats and PVC blinds.
LA Sanitation hopes to divert over 600 tons of blinds from landfills each year through the program.
Some waste management companies like Republic Services also include aluminum and wood blinds on their list of acceptable items.
Consumers should check their local recycling guidelines to see if window blinds can be placed in curbside bins for pickup. Blind slats may need to be removed from the frame and recycled separately.
Barriers to Widespread Blind Recycling
While recycling options for blinds are growing, there are still barriers to completely sustainable and widespread blind recycling.
Special equipment is needed to recycle certain blind materials like vinyl and fabric blinds made from synthetic fibers.
Since this infrastructure is expensive, recyclers need high volumes to make it economically viable. So vinyl and fabric blind recycling is unlikely to be an option for individual municipalities anytime soon.
Limited consumer awareness and lack of convenient recycling drop-off locations also hampers recycling efforts. If consumers can’t easily return blinds for recycling, they’re less likely to make the effort unless they’re strongly sustainability-minded.
Creative Ways to Keep Blinds Out of Landfills
If recycling options aren’t available in your area, consider alternatives before throwing old blinds in the trash. Donating blinds to Habitat for Humanity or thrift stores gives them another life.
Repurposing blinds is also an option if they’re still in decent shape. Get creative with blind recycling projects like:
- Making wall art from old wood or faux wood blinds
- Turning mini blinds into chalkboard strips for kids
- Using blind slats as garden dividers or trellises
- Crafting blind slat trivets or charger plates from metal blinds
- Cutting vinyl blinds into lacey shapes for decor or stenciling
With some creativity, you may find new uses for old blinds instead of sending them straight to the landfill.
The Bottom Line on Blind Recyclability
When it’s time to replace old, broken blinds, consider sustainability as well as cost and appearance. Opt for materials like wood, aluminum, and other natural fibers when possible for better recyclability. Check with retailers and manufacturers about take-back and recycling programs.
While not all blinds can be recycled through standard municipal recycling, specialty programs are expanding options for consumers to give window treatments another life.
With growing awareness and participation, blind recycling will only become more accessible and widespread in the future.