We all know that Earth Day comes in April. But since 1997, November 15 plays host to America Recycles Day (ARD)– a new day to stop and evaluate our environmental commitment, with help from the National Recycling Coalition (NRC) and Keep America Beautiful (KAB).  Of course, America Recycles Day is very important to TerraCycle because of our insatiable thirst for new waste to recycle. Yup, you can recycle your old, smelly shoes! Donate them to the Paired Shoe Brigade. In honor of ARD next month, TerraCycle is promoting some of the most unusual and unexpected things you can recycle. Dentures: In each set of dentures there is approximately $25 worth of metals such as gold and silver. By recycling these, the metals are recycled, and the proceeds are donated to UNICEF. Hotel Soap Slivers: More and more hotel chains are recycling their slivers of soap and giving them to the needy. You could also throw them in the heel of a pair of stockings to make your own soap-on-a-rope. Get involved here. Diapers: British company, Knowaste, has been recycling diapers since 1999. Later this year, TerraCycle will launch the first free pilot for dirty diaper recycling in the U.S.! This is definitely a positive development, as the average baby goes through approximately 6,000 disposable diapers by the time they are potty trained. Running Shoes: Recycled shoes can be made into building materials or, if they are not beaten up too badly, can be given to people who are unable to afford shoes for themselves. Check out TerraCycle’s Paired Shoe Brigade. Bicycles: By recycling bikes, people in third-world countries could have the opportunity to have the luxury of basic transportation. About 15 million bikes are thrown away in the U.S. each year. Check out Recycle A Bicycle to get started! Mattresses: A lot of mattress retailers have been taking on the act of recycling your old bed. They are taken apart, and about 90% of the material from the mattresses are being upcycled. Lots of options are out there, including Nine Lives Mattress Recycling. Pantyhose: Pantyhose can be sent to No Nonsense and they will turn the used garments into park benches, playground equipment, carpets etc. No matter what the material, it is important to stop and think about how to rescue it from a life in a smelly, wasteful landfill! Come back closer to America Recycles Day for more wonderfully weird recycling ideas!