My recycling service just stepped it up a notch and started taking more plastics and paperboard. While this is beyond exciting for me, I always wonder if I can do more. Recycling isn't always about curbside service, and Yahoo! has a great article with some tips for things you can recycle by mail.

• Plastic cards: Recycle your hotel keys and gift cards through Earthworks. Mail your cards to Earthworks, c/o Halprin Industries, 25840 Miles Rd., Bedford, OH 44146.
• Plastic #5: If you can't send it off with your curbside pickup, mail your #5 containers to preserve. Their website offers a downloadable mailer that you can fill with your recyclables and take to the post office.
• Plastics and corks: Terracycle will take yogurt cups, drink pouches, shower curtains, even wine corks. You can register with them to receive pre-paid mailers, or find drop-off locations in your community via the Terracycle website.
• Athletic shoes: Nike takes your old shoes and makes them into track and playground surfaces. Send your shoes to Nike Recycling Center, c/o Reuse-A-Shoe, 26755 SW 95th Ave., Wilsonville, OR 97070, or find a collection place near you.
• Batteries and handheld electronics: iRecycle will sell you a recycling kit for $24. Pack your pre-paid mailer full of your batteries, cell phones and PDAs and drop in the mail. Waste Management only charges $16.95 for their dry cell battery recycling kit, but they only take batteries, not phones or handhelds.
• Cell phones: If you don't want to pay $24, visit www.recyclemycellphone, where you can request a pre-paid mailing label for free from Earthworks. Many non-profit organizations take phones and accessories too as fundraisers.
• Computers, stereos and televisions: Waste Management sells kits to recycle large electronics, including computers, monitors, keyboards, TVs, phones, electronic toys, small appliances, CDs, DVDs, stereos, DVD players, VCRs, fax machines and electric clocks. Kits range in price from $39.95 to $69.95 depending on how large a box you need.
• Glasses: Lions Recycle For Sight will take your old eyeglasses, clean them, and then redistribute to mission groups around the world to give to those in need. You can mail your glasses to Lions Club International, Attention: Receiving Department, 300 W. 22nd St, Oakbrook, IL 60523, or drop off at a Lion's Club near you. Many optomotrists' offices and eyeglass shops have drop boxes.
• CDs, printer cartridges, mice, cords, etc.: Greendisk will recycle your "technotrash." They charge $6.95 for processing up to 20 pounds of trash, and you have to cover shipping. When you pay the processing fee, they'll give you a mailing label.
• CFLs and fluorescent tubes: Waste Management sells recycling kits for light bulbs. It's $16.95 for up to 15 CFLs and $59.95 for as many as 16 t-8 tubes or 7 t-12 tubes. 

Paying to recycle might seem like a turn-off, but with some research, you may be able to find friends to recycle with you and share costs. Also, many community organizations, especially schools, recycle to help raise money. If you're not interested in mailing your recyclables, consider taking them to sites in your community to help both the organization and the environment.