There are many types of miniatures, and not all can be recycled. Metal, plastic, and resin miniatures are difficult to recycle and often require bespoke recycling solutions. It is essential to know which models can be recycled and which ones cannot so that you can properly dispose of them when you finish them.
Recycling miniatures is difficult and they cannot be disposed of in regular recycling bins. Bespoke recycling solutions are required to dispose of models in an eco-friendly manner. We explore other solutions, including reusing and reselling your miniatures in this article.
This article will explore common miniature materials and whether you can recycle them or not. We will also review potential options if you want to reuse or resell your minis.
What type of materials can be recycled?
Metal, plastic, and resin miniatures are difficult to recycle and often require bespoke recycling solutions. It is essential to know which models can be recycled and which ones cannot so that you can properly dispose of them when you finish them.
Metal Miniatures
What are metal miniatures made from?
Most metal miniatures are made from pewter, zinc, and lead. Lead models continue to be phased out due to health and environmental concerns.
Pewter is the most common type of metal used in miniatures. It is a malleable metal that can be easily shaped and moulded into different forms.
Zinc is a strong but lightweight metal often used in die-cast miniatures.
Can you recycle metal miniatures?
With the composition of plastic models being hard to determine, recycling this product is difficult and often needs a bespoke solution. These companies exist, such as TerraCycle, which provides bespoke recycling solutions.
Recycling metal miniatures in your standard recycling bins are not possible; you will need to dispose of them in the waste bin or reuse and resell the items. During our research, all recycling facilities except bespoke companies were unable to provide an answer or stated that they were unable to accept these products as part of their operations.
Plastic Miniatures
What are plastic miniatures made from?
Plastic miniatures are made from various materials, including polystyrene, acrylic, and PVC. The type of plastic used will affect the recyclability of the product.
Polystyrene is a lightweight plastic that is easy to shape and mould. It is often used in injection-moulded miniatures.
Acrylic is a clear plastic that can be easily tinted and dyed in different colours. It is often used in transparent or translucent miniatures.
PVC is a strong and durable plastic that can be used in various ways. It is often used in hard-to-shape miniatures.
What are plastic sprues?
Sprues are a plastic model kit’s interconnected parts that support the individual pieces during shipment and construction. Sprues are a by-product of the injection moulding process and are usually made from the same plastic as the model kit parts. Once the model is built, the sprues can be removed and discarded.
Are plastic sprues recyclable?
Plastic sprues can be recycled if they are made from recyclable plastic. However, not all plastics are recyclable, so you must check with your local recycling facility to see if they accept sprues before recycling them.
During our research, no company was willing to accept sprues as part of the normal operations. This means that sprues are challenging to recycle and need to be disposed of in the general waste bin, or you will need to find a bespoke solution.
Can you recycle plastic miniatures?
Similar to sprues made of the same material as the models – it is difficult to recycle plastic miniatures. Unless you are willing to contact and find a bespoke solution with a recycling treatment centre, they cannot be recycled in the general recycling bins.
Resin Miniatures
What are resin miniatures made from?
Resin miniatures are made from various materials, including polyurethane and epoxy. Polyurethane and epoxy miniatures can be recycled, but some other types of resin miniatures cannot.
Can you recycle resin miniatures?
You cannot recycle epoxy resin miniatures. Epoxy resin can be toxic to marine life and ecosystems meaning that you will need to dispose of these products in the general waste bin.
Reuse or Resell instead of Recycle
How can you recycle miniatures?
Contact your local recycling facility and see whether they will accept the type of miniature you have. Make sure you do not place your models directly into your recycling bin without asking the question to your local council first. Rules differ depending on your location, and you can be fined if you incorrectly dispose of your miniatures, no matter the material.
If in doubt, do not recycle your miniatures and place any items you need to dispose of into the waste bin. This will avoid any eventual problems with your council – as incorrect recycling can cause problems in the recycling process and contaminate batches of recyclable material.
However, if you doubt, explore the options we have listed below before throwing out your miniatures. This will help to avoid any additional waste going to landfill.
How to properly dispose of your miniatures?
The best way to dispose of your miniatures is to reuse or resell them.
Reusing your miniatures is a great way to reduce waste and save money. If you no longer want your models, consider giving them to a friend or family member who does. You can also donate them to local schools or community groups.
Reselling your miniatures is another excellent way to reduce waste and make extra money. There are many online platforms and marketplaces where you can sell used miniatures.
If you cannot reuse or resell your miniatures, you can dispose of them in your regular household waste bin. However, we recommend checking with your local recycling facility first to see if they accept miniatures.
Other methods to reuse your miniatures
If you are finished with miniatures, several options are always available to you if the models are in good condition or need some work. We have listed several options you can use when you find that you are tired of a particular set of miniatures and want to explore others.
- Sell your miniatures
- Give them away to a friend or family member
- Donate them to a local game store, school, or library
- Use them as terrain for other wargames and tabletop games
- Upcycle your sprues into terrain.
- Melt down your sprues to use a filler on your models.
- Repaint them and use them in a different army or faction
- Melt down the metal miniatures and use the metal to make new miniatures.
- Use the plastic miniatures to make other objects.
- Upcycle the resin miniatures into different objects.
Recycling them is always an option when you are finished with your miniatures. However, there are many other ways to reuse or dispose of them, at they do not end up in a landfill. If you have metal, plastic, or resin miniatures, check to see if your local recycling facility accepts them. You can also reuse or resell your miniatures instead of recycling them. And if you don’t want to keep your miniatures, you can always donate them to a local game store, school, or library.
Final Thoughts
While there are many types of miniatures, not all are recyclable. Metal, plastic, and resin miniatures can be recycled, but it depends on the kind of material that they are made from. It is essential to know which models can be recycled and which ones cannot so that you can properly dispose of them when you finish them.
