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How to Recycle Canceled Postage Stamps

There are better ways to recycle cancelled postage stamps than simply to stick them in general paper recycling. When you receive mai,l it is a good idea to save any postage stamps. Charities raise money from used stamps and you can even sell them to make a little money for yourself.

Things You'll Need

Bowl
Tea towel
Hardback book or phone directory

Instructions

- 1
  Tear off the top right part of the envelope. Allow about half an inch of paper around the postage stamp so you don't damage it. Recycle the rest of the envelope as normal paper.
- 2
  Sort the stamps. It is best to separate the very common ones you see all the time and send them to a charity once you have a lot. More unusual ones are collectible and can be sold or given to stamp collectors.
- 3
  Carefully cut around the stamps destined for charity. Leave a ¼ inch border of paper to avoid damaging the stamp.
- 4
  Soak the other stamps and paper in a bowl of warm water. Leave for a couple of hours or overnight to dissolve the glue and make the stamp easy to dislodge. You could soak the charity stamps off too if you have a lot, but some charities prefer them still on the paper.
- 5
  Rub the back of each stamp very gently with your finger in the water to remove any remaining glue.
- 6
  Lay the stamps out on half the tea towel, fold the other half over the top. Place a book on top to keep them flat. Leave for several hours to dry, moving the stamps once or twice onto a fresh bit of towel.
- 7
  Send the charity stamps to a participating charity. The others make good gifts for stamp collectors you know or sold to a stamp dealer or online.

Stamp Collecting