How to Recycle Trophies

Remember the award you won for track in high school or the plaque for that poetry reading? Trophies are a way to celebrate and honor our achievements, but if you store them in a drawer, you might want to find a better way to use them. So if you’re no longer attached to some of those medals, reuse them in a constructive way.

When you look at your old trophies, it might be hard to visualize it as anything else. However, there are a variety of ways to effectively recycle your trophy. Some options don’t even require you to give it away, so if it’s still sentimental, you can creatively incorporate it into your life.

Depending on the shape of your trophy, you may be able to turn it into a table lamp. Although this may require some electrical skills, it could make an excellent conversation piece at your office. If you have an unusual looking trophy, you could place it in your garden or backyard for décor. Planting colorful flowers in it will make it look more like a fancy planter. Trophies can also make unique cake toppers, so if you’re talented at baking, you can keep smaller trophies on hand to liven up your treats.

When you’re willing to part with some of your awards, there are trophy shops and other organizations that will accept them. Some local places include elementary and high schools, YMCAs, parka or recreation departments, Special Olympics and day care centers. Trophies can be turned into works of art, so also consider donating them to libraries or other community organizations that hold craft days for kids.

Keep in mind that your personalized trophy can be reused as an award for someone else. Some companies that accept medals and awards include Award Experts, Medals4Mettle, Art Inc. and Creative Images. Another option is to have a garage sale or advertise that you’re giving the trophy away on Craigslist, because the plaques can be replaced.

Choosing one of these ways to recycle or reuse your old trophies keeps the memories alive and may even create new memories for someone else.