Best Ways to Repurpose or Recycle: What to Do with Old License Plates

Did you know that old license plates can be given new life through creative upcycling, recycling, or donating? In this blog post, we will explore various fun and practical ways on what to do with old license plates, ensuring they don’t end up in a landfill.

You’ll learn about transforming them into artwork, garden decorations, and home accessories, as well as how to properly recycle them or donate them to worthy causes. Let’s get started!

Key Takeaways

• Creatively upcycle old license plates into artworks, garden decorations or functional home accessories.
• Recycle aluminum material used to make license plates for an eco-friendly option.
• Donate old license plates to charities, schools and community projects for a positive impact.

 

Creative Upcycling Ideas for Old License Plates

Used license plates don’t have to gather dust in your garage or attic. With a little creativity, you can breathe new life into them and create something unique and functional. Next, we will examine various inventive ways to give a second life to old license plates by transforming them into artworks, garden embellishments, and practical home items.

Remember to consult with your local department of motor vehicle licensing office to ensure compliance with applicable regulations before commencing a license plate upcycling project.

 

 

License Plate Artwork

Transform your license plates into one-of-a-kind wall hangings, maps, or other decorative pieces by incorporating month and year tabs. With a few simple tools, such as metal snips, hammer, and glue, you can create unique artwork to adorn your home or office using year tabs. You can cut out letters and numbers, bend the edges to create different shapes, or even use a roller to apply paint onto the plate for a unique design. The possibilities are endless, and the result will be a conversation starter for your guests.

 

Garden Decorations

How about lending an unusual charm to your garden using old license plates? You can create eye-catching decorations like planters or birdhouses. To construct a planter, gather some old license plates, wood or other materials for the planter box, screws or nails for assembly, potting soil, and plants or flowers for planting.

For a birdhouse, you can follow these steps:

1. Cut a square shape from pine.
2. Attach the front and back pieces together.
3. Paint the birdhouse.
4. Attach the license plate either on the front or as a roof.

These unique garden decorations will add character to your outdoor space and showcase your creativity.

 

 

Functional Home Accessories

Repurposing license plates into practical home items like shelves, clipboards, or key holders is yet another option. For a shelf, you’ll need a rubber mallet, tin snips, pliers, a marker, a block of scrap wood, tape, clamps, nails or screws, and a drill with drill bits. To create a clipboard, simply attach a clip to the license plate using nuts and bolts from a hardware store. These functional accessories not only help you stay organized but also serve as unique conversation pieces in your home.

 

Recycling Old License Plates

If creative upcycling isn’t your cup of tea, don’t worry; recycling old license plates is another eco-friendly option. Next, we will cover the correct methods of recycling old license plates, whether through local recycling initiatives, scrap metal facilities, or by adhering to specific guidelines for certain plate designs.

Remember that modern license plates are made of aluminum, which requires significantly less energy to recycle than manufacturing from virgin materials, reducing carbon emissions by up to 95%.

 

Local Recycling Programs

Before considering your old license plates as recyclable waste, confirm the guidelines of your local recycling initiative. Although most metal recycling centers accept aluminum license plates, not every local recycling program accepts them, so it’s essential to inquire with your local recycling program first.

To prepare old license plates for recycling, chop them up and remove any tags or screws, ensuring they cannot be used again. This process is not only beneficial for disposing of old license plates but also helps in managing old plates that have been lying around.

Scrap Metal Facilities

An alternative method for recycling license plates involves delivering them to a scrap metal facility for appropriate disposal. Scrap metal facilities collect old license plates, along with cars and appliances, and melt them down and reshape them into new metal products as part of the recycling process.

Contact your local curbside recycling center or any recycling center that accepts metal to identify a scrap metal facility nearby that will accept old license plates. You can also check if your local recycling bin accepts old license plates for proper disposal.

 

Special Considerations

When recycling certain types of license plates, such as specialty or custom designs, it’s important to be aware of any special considerations. Consult with your state licensing office for any special stipulations concerning recycling specialty license plates.

Remember that custom-designed license plates, including old license plate materials, are typically recycled by melting down the metal, usually aluminum, and casting it into new items.

 

Returning License Plates to Your State’s DMV

In some cases, you may need to return old license plates to your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Next, we will cover the process of returning old license plates to your state’s DMV, touching on state-specific rules, mailing directives, and procedures for in-person returns.

 

State-Specific Guidelines

Each state may have distinct rules for returning old license plates, hence it is necessary to study your state’s specific directives. For example, in New York, there are no particular stipulations for returning old license plates, and the DMV does not accept or require the return of old license plates. In California, you may return license plates either in person at the DMV or by mail. Ensure you follow your state’s guidelines to avoid any penalties or fines.

 

Mailing Instructions

If your state allows mailing old license plates back to the DMV, follow the provided mailing instructions to ensure proper processing and disposal. For example, in Washington State, you can return your license plates in person at a local vehicle licensing office or mail them to the Department of Licensing in Olympia.

 

In-Person Returns

In some cases, in-person returns may be required or preferred in your state. For example, in Washington, disabled parking plates and commercial plates must be returned to a vehicle licensing office when they are being replaced. It’s important to contact your local DMV office for further information on in-person returns and any special requirements or considerations.

Buying and Selling Old License Plates

Whether you are a collector or just wish to repurpose old license plates, engaging in their buying and selling can be a thrilling and fulfilling pastime. Next, we will examine various channels for buying and selling old license plates, spanning from antique shops, online marketplaces, to joining collectors’ associations.

 

Antique Shops and Thrift Stores

Antique shops and thrift stores can be rich sources of old license plates if you aim to expand your collection or intend to sell some from your own. When pricing old license plates for sale, consider factors such as:

• The manufacturer’s date
• Rarity
• Condition
• Demand
• Similar sales

You can also research online on websites such as eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace to see how much similar plates are being sold for.

 

Online Marketplaces

Online marketplaces like eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace are popular options for buying and selling old license plates. To buy old license plates securely online, follow these steps:

1. Use reliable online marketplaces with favorable customer reviews.
2. Look for safe payment options, such as PayPal or credit card payments.
3. Check the seller’s return policy to ensure you can return the license plate if it doesn’t meet your expectations.

To sell old license plates online, adhere to the guidelines established by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in your state, which may also accept license plates.

 

 

Donating Old License Plates

Donating old license plates is another way to give them a new purpose while supporting worthy causes. Next, we will consider different avenues for donating old license plates to vehicle donation initiatives, art programs, and community projects.

 

Vehicle Donation Programs

Offering license plates to vehicle donation initiatives can be advantageous for charities or non-profit organizations by supplying them with license plates for the vehicles they acquire. This helps save money for the charities and allows them to direct more funds towards their programs and services, ultimately making a difference in the lives of those they serve.

 

Art Programs and Schools

Offering old license plates to art programs or schools can provide materials for creative projects and bolster art programs and educational initiatives. Old license plates can be used in various art projects, such as:

• Collage art
• Sculptures
• Mixed media art
• Signage or decorations for schools and classrooms

By donating old license plates, you contribute to inspiring creativity and learning in the lives of students and artists.

 

Community Projects

Contribute old license plates to community projects, such as public art installations or historical displays, to enrich local neighborhoods and foster a sense of community pride. By donating old license plates, you play a part in beautifying public spaces and creating meaningful connections within your community.

 

Summary

In this blog post, we’ve explored various ways to give new life to old plates through upcycling projects, recycling, returning them to the DMV, buying and selling, and donating them to worthy causes. Whether you’re a collector, an artist, or someone looking to make a difference, there’s a world of possibilities waiting for you when it comes to old license plates. So why not get creative and start repurposing or recycling those old plates today?

 

 

Read also about:

• State license plates