Buzz
Many of us are looking to increase our income, whether it’s by asking for a raise, switching jobs, or picking up a side hustle. But one surprising way to earn money is by selling discarded items. Not all trash is worth anything, but certain objects that people frequently toss or leave behind can be surprisingly valuable. While this can be a volume-based business (meaning you’ll need to collect and sell a lot), it’s definitely possible to make real cash by gathering these items from trash piles, homes, or even public places. Some examples of such profitable trash include golf balls, wood pallets, cardboard boxes, wine corks, and egg cartons.
Used golf balls can sell for as much as $2 each
Over 25 million people play golf in the U.S., and with that comes a significant number of lost golf balls. Around 1.5 billion golf balls are lost every year. What’s truly surprising is that these lost golf balls still have substantial value. As per Lashan Wanigatunga, co-owner of Two Guys with Balls, these used golf balls can fetch anywhere between 15 cents and $2 depending on the brand. So, if you’re willing to search for them, picking up golf balls can be a lucrative side gig.
The big money is in retrieving golf balls from water hazards, as these areas often contain large quantities that nobody bothers to collect. It’s a legitimate career option, even listed on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website, where divers can earn up to $200 per day for retrieving golf balls (according to Todd Hutchinson of Ballhawker, you could actually make $800 per day doing this). While diving for golf balls can be dangerous if you’re not experienced in underwater work or if you skip safety protocols, it’s still a unique opportunity to make a few hundred dollars a day by picking up what others have left behind.
Discarded wood pallets can be sold for as much as $4 each
Wood pallets are incredibly common and useful. If you spot a business near you that consistently has a pile of pallets lying around or in dumpsters, you might have an opportunity. Used wood pallets in good condition can sell for anywhere between 50 cents and $4 each. All you need is permission to take the pallets (many businesses are eager to get rid of them if you ask), a way to transport them, and perhaps some tools for repairs if you want to maximize your earnings. You can use the North American Pallet Recycling Network to find pallet brokers in your area, and companies like Kamps Pallets will pay you and even come to collect your pallets if you have at least 500 to sell per year. A little research may uncover other local pallet brokers as well.
Used cardboard boxes can be worth up to $1.25 each
The cardboard boxes from Amazon or UPS that we often toss into the recycling bin or give away when friends are moving can actually be worth some money. You can sell used cardboard boxes on websites like BoxCycle, which pays anywhere from 10 cents to $1.25 for standard moving boxes, and buys almost any box you have. Other platforms like U-Haul Box Exchange let people post boxes for sale or for free, while Used Cardboard Boxes will buy your used shipping boxes. You can even try selling them on eBay.
Wine corks can be sold for around 10 cents each
In the U.S., over 4 billion bottles of wine are consumed every year, many of which end up in recycling bins. However, wine corks can actually be resold for a reasonable profit on platforms like Etsy or eBay. While they typically sell for about 10 cents each, certain branded corks can fetch a higher price. This might not seem like much if you’re relying on the average American's consumption of 16 bottles of wine per year for stock, but if you can collect used corks from local restaurants throwing them away, it could be a worthwhile side hustle.
Egg cartons can be worth 30-40 cents each
Used egg cartons are surprisingly in demand: They’re used for crafts, and small farms purchase them for their own egg sales. Standard supermarket egg cartons typically sell for 30-40 cents each on sites like eBay. Considering the average person consumes about 285 eggs a year (around 24 dozen), that’s an easy $60-70 in extra income. If you’re collecting egg cartons from local restaurants, hotels, or businesses, you could earn a few hundred dollars each week just from gathering them daily.
