Recycling Center

This was my project for yesterday.  It was so easy.  It may not look the prettiest but I think it will work perfect for what I want it for.  I got the idea off Pinterest.  Originally it came from a Handyman magazine.  I wanted to put three container high but was only able to put two because there wouldn't have been enough room to add another one above it.  There is some kind of bracket on the wall that gets in the way.  I wanted to put it closer to the doorway going into the house but since it had to be put into studs, I was a little limited.  And once again, sorry for the blurry picture (my phone doesn't take the best pictures).

Recycling Center

I used:
2 empty storage containers that I had in the basement
3 - 18 inch 2x4s
2 - 18 inch 1x4s
4 - 1 5/8 inch screws
6 - 3 inch screws

I might paint the wood this spring but right now it is too cold out so that is put on hold.  Though it is suppose to be 40 degrees today.  In Michigan that is considered shorts weather by some. lol
I also still have to label the containers.  I am going to be putting newspapers and magazines in the top one and cans and plastic in the bottom.  I have a large green storage tub on the floor that I will continue to use for cardboard.  We tend to have a lot of that.  Not sure what I will do with glass.  I may just add that into the can and plastic one.  Or maybe I can find a shorter container that would work above the other two.



The first thing you need to do is find out where you would like to put it and to find the studs.  Studs should be 16 inches apart so that is why you will need the boards cut to 18 inches.
Now I will tell you how I put it all together...
Make the cleats by taking one 2x4 and one 1x4 and using the 1 5/8 inch screws to attach them together.  Place the 1x4 about 1 1/2 inches lower on the 2x4 to create a lip.  Screw them together about 2 inches from each side.  It only requires 2 screws for each cleat.  Once you have the cleats made, set aside.
Measure where you would like the bottom container to start (from the floor).  Take one 2x4 and center it between the studs.  I pre-drilled holes in the 2x4s about 1 inch in from the top of the board and 1 inch in from each side.  That made it so much easier to get the screws to go in without stripping them.  You will use 2 of the 3 inch screws for each 2x4 that you put up.  The bottom one is the only plain 2x4 that you will be putting up.  The rest are the cleats.  Make sure you level the board and screw to the wall.
Place one container on top of the 2x4 that you just screwed on the wall and place one of the cleats on top of the container.  Use a pencil to mark the top of the cleat.  Once you have marked the wall, put the container and cleat down.  Measure about 1/4 to 1/2 inches up from the mark that you made.  That is where you will put the cleat on the wall.  You want that extra little space so that you can get the container out easily.  Level and screw the cleat on the wall.
Repeat for how many containers you would like to place on the wall.
This project was super easy.  The hardest part was finding boards and the correct size screws around the house.  I didn't want to buy anything special to complete this project.  Make sure you use the right size screws because the containers can get heavy and you want the support that the screws will provide.
I hope this makes it easy for you to make for yourself if you choose to.  If you have any questions about any of the steps or would like more pictures please comment and I will get back with you.