If you’re fond of inflatable pools, you’re always looking for more.
Since they’re so versatile, folks all over are deciding what to buy. However, you want something that will last for years.
That’s where recycling comes in. You can recycle inflatable pools to keep them out of the landfills and out there being used for years to come.
So, can you recycle inflatable pools? Yes!
You can recycle an inflatable pool to keep them out of the landfills and out there being used for years to come.
However, not everything can be recycled the same way so there are a few things that you need to consider first.
You don’t need to recycle every part of an inflatable pool before you decide to recycle it. It’s helpful if you sort the different parts of a pool into different categories before recycling it.
Most inflatable pools are comprised of two main parts: the cover and the liner. The cover is the waterproof top part of the pool and the liner is the inflatable bottom part that holds the water.
You can recycle these parts separately by making sure you drain all the water out first and using a specialized machine to remove all the vinyl from the cover and liner.
What Materials Are Inflatable Pools Made of?
Contents
Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, is the material used to make inflatable pools.
The recycling category that the cover and liner of a pool fall into is PVC plastic.
Have you ever given the liner of an inflatable pool much thought.
These figures indicate how durable the materials are that are used to make the liners of inflatable pools.
Items ranked 1 and 2 on The Durability Scale are very durable materials that can take 20+ years of wear and tear.
Depending on the facility and the machinery used, there may or may not be a charge for the recycling of an inflatable pool cover and liner, but make no mistake any fee charged by a recycling facility.
The problem with PVC is that most facilities will attempt to reuse the vinyl from your pool to make items such as signs or toys.
Prepare to do some serious study if recycling an inflable pool liner is on a to-do-list, as the whole process is quite in-depth and complex.
You’ll need to locate a facility that will recycle the old vinyl from your pool.
It may be as simple as dumping your old inflatable pool on the curb and hoping someone picks it up, or you may need to book a trip to a recycling facility or drop off location.
Can You Recycle Inflatable Pools?
Inflatable pools are recyclable, however most of them end up in dumpsters that are put out for public trash collection.
This means you must first locate your inflatable pool’s current owner and then ask them if you can have the liner and pump removed and recycled.
To avoid a needless trip to the dumpster, call around to local pool stores to see if yours was sold as an in-store demo or if they have any left to sell.
How To Tell If They Can Be Recycled
Check the recycling number to see if you have a mesh or a solid bottom pool or spas.
If the pool or package does not have a number written on the bottom, then the pool or spa is mesh and can be recycled.
Keep in mind that just because a garbage company has a plastic recycling bin doesn’t mean that they have plastic balers or shredders to process bulky items.
To find out what your local garbage company does with plastic, call your garbage company and politely ask what their procedure is, and if they have a shredder for plastic.
However, if recycling is difficult, finding a charity in your area would be the next best thing.
Where Can I Recycle My Inflatable Pool?
You may contact your local recycling center to see about recycling your inflatable pool.
It will be their responsibility to make sure that all materials are fully recycled, and some facilities may even process this material for you for a small fee.
Your local recycling center will provide you with dated receipts for the materials you recycle from your pool, which are acceptable for tax purposes and for LEED projects.
Those having issues finding a place to drop off a used inflatable pool should call their recycling center for more information.
If they are unable to do so, they should consider donating their used pool to a local charity.
How to Prepare Your Pool For Recycling
Once you’ve figured out how to recycle your inflatable pool, you’ll need to make sure it is prepared for the recycling process.
When you clean your liner, you can wash it in your regular washing machine or hand wash it using a sponge and soap. Drain all the water from the pool and thoroughly scrub the liner before placing it in the washing machine or tub.
Wash the liner in the warmest cycle using soap and a soft brush. Dry the liner and then check it for tears or holes before putting it back in the pool.
And that’s it! You can recycle an inflatable pool to keep it out of the landfills and out there being used for years to come.
However, not everything can be recycled the same way so there are a few things that you need to consider first.
Clean your items and eliminate as many of the fluids as possible such as paint, oil, gasoline, and other chemicals.
Other Recycling Alternatives to Dispose Of Your Inflatable Pools Safely
Repurposing the Old Inflatable Pool
There are several entertaining ways to keep utilizing your old pool.
Fill the pool with sand and toys and use the beach theme in your backyard.
Fill the pool with balls to turn it into a small soccer or football play area for the kids or even a volleyball court for your competitive friends.
Pool Donations
Thrift shops, Goodwill, Savers, the Humane Society, and other charities often accept donations of used swimming pools once the water has been removed and drained out.
Donate your inflatable pool only if it is in good working condition with the vinyl undamaged and the water line clean.
Childcare and daycare facilities, as well as schools, will often accept these donations for their programs as well.
Selling the Used Pool
There are many excellent locations online that purchase used pools for recreation and camping purposes.
Facebook Marketplace, Mercari, Craigslist, eBay, and OfferUp are just a few of the options that you have for selling your used pool.
You may also organize a yard or garage sale as a local place to sell the used pool as well.
You may also use social media to check local listings for free used pools from your neighbors.
If you don’t want to sell the pool to a stranger, another option is to ask your neighbors if they would be interested in buying it from you or using it themselves.
Reusing an Inflatable Pool
If you no longer want to use your pool but don’t want the expense and hassle of removing it or storing it throughout the winter, reusing your inflatable pool is an option that you have.
If the pool is still in good working order but you cannot afford to have it repaired, you can still use it by upgrading to a better one or investing in a new one.
You may attempt to repair the pool if you are able to do it yourself or you may take to the internet to find trusted professionals who can repair the pool for you.
If your inflatable pool is absolutely beyond cleaning or repairing, another option you have is to use it as a water feature in your yard or garden.
Repairing Damaged Inflatable Pools
If you’re having difficulties locating the hole, try soaking the damaged part of the pool in soapy water to see if any bubbles appear.
After you’ve located the hole or tear, apply a patch made specifically for inflatable pools or a pool repair kit.
Use a more durable patch such as those made from heavy duty PVC vinyl, canvas or burlap that can withstand the wear and tear of being constantly filled with water and sunlight for prolonged periods of time.
If you’re in a hurry, a strong adhesive may also be applied directly to the damaged area to secure the patch in place.
Allow for thorough drying before using the same pool again or before using the pool for swimming or playing. A fan or hair dryer will help speed up the drying process.
Clean the repair area thoroughly to prevent the patch from peeling away from the vinyl pool.
If at any time the patch starts to separate from the vinyl or if you need additional patches, remove the patch and apply a new one over the damaged area.
Also Read: How to Dispose of Chlorine Tablets Safely
Conclusion
Thousands, if not millions, of tonnes of plastic enters our oceans every year and much of the waste comes from developing countries, where waste management systems are not up to scratch.
These will either remain in place or be discarded where they can end up being washed out to sea, clogging up rivers and canals and wreaking havoc on ecosystems.
We must all do our share to reduce trash, and the easiest way to do this is by recycling and purchasing goods made from recycled plastic whenever possible.
Remember that just putting something in a plastic bag or wrapping it in paper won’t prevent it from polluting oceans and waterways.
Because the local recycling facility does not have the capacity to recycle all you’d like to get rid of, it would be best to bring them to a company that specializes in that material The materials were so soft that I pushed them down the side of the pool so that the water could circulate.
