If you have an old motorcycle helmet you want to get rid of but aren’t sure about what to do with it, here is a quick guide to help you decide the best way to dispose of it.
There are many ways to deal with an old motorcycle helmet; you can donate, recycle, or downright destroy it.
Let’s review some of the best ways to dispose of or recycle old motorcycle helmets.
Donating the Helmet
Donating is the best choice for you if you don’t want to throw away your previous helmet merely but instead wish to put it to good use.
Remember, you must never donate or gift an old motorcycle helmet to a motorcyclist for use because it will put them in danger.
That said, you can consider donating your helmet to:
- Motorcycle helmet aggregation organizations
- Emergency Services Coaching Center
- Elementary Schools
- Art Schools
Motorcycle helmet aggregation organizations
If you don’t want to put too much thought into how to dispose of your old motorcycle helmet and conveniently have an organization that collects it near you, you can consider donating to them.
They collect old motorcyclists’ helmets and, based on how old the helmets are, will put them to good use.
Donating helmets you never used and just outgrew to such organizations is an excellent idea.
Emergency Services Training Center
One of the best things you can do with your old helmet is donate it to an emergency services training centre like a fire station or a police officer near you.
In such centres, people use old helmets to train for emergencies where they might have to deal with people in broken helmets caught in an accident.
Donating a damaged old helmet with the chinstraps still intact is particularly useful for them as they can practice properly removing a damaged helmet from someone in an emergency.
Elementary School
You can also consider donating your old helmet to a nearby elementary school.
Teachers typically accept such donations as they can use the helmet for various fun activities with the children throughout playtime.
Confirm that the school accepts such donations, but consult a teacher or the school authorities.
Art School
If you have a cool-looking old helmet, you should consider donating it to an art school.
The students often practice by drawing common household objects, so the helmet works as a sculpture for them to practice with.
Moreover, some artists might take a liking to your helmet and paint over it, turning it into a work of art.
Recycling
Recycling an old motorbike helmet by throwing it into a recycle bin or taking it to a recycling centre nearby isn’t possible.
This is because motorcycle helmets are made of various materials that are hard to separate. Every material has a distinctive recycling procedure, so motorcycle helmets are often thrown away.
This doesn’t mean they can not be recycled. Old motorcycle helmets can be reused in a variety of ways, such as:
- Decoratives
- Pots and buckets
- Nest for birds
Decoratives
If you have got a hobby in arts and crafts then the perfect way for you to utilize an old motorcycle helmet is to use it as a decorative showpiece.
You can practice your painting skills on the helmet’s outer shell. The finished product will be a unique artwork you can hang in your room, home, or garage.
You can even sell the helmets as decorative.
Pots and Buckets
You can rework your old helmet into a pot or a bucket. You must ensure that the visor and its opening mechanism are tightly sealed so that anything stored within does not leak out. This can be done using super glue.
The helmet works as an aesthetic pot for small plants if you fill it with fresh soil and pour in some clean water.
The sealed helmet can also be used as a storage container or simply as a bucket.
Nest for Birds
An old motorcycle helmet is perfect for making a bird’s nest. Fill up the helmet with twigs, straw, and wool.
The visor works as a doorway for the birds to enter. The chin strap can hang the helmet, and the open top allows ventilation and light to enter the nest.
Destroying the helmet
If you wish to throw the helmet away, consider demolishing it.
You can either take it apart piece by piece to learn about the different parts that make up the helmet or recycle the parts individually.
Or you could destroy your old motorcycle helmet, either with a sledgehammer or a hydraulic press, while capturing the destruction on a camera. It’s sure to get you a good number of likes and views.
Conclusion
The possible ways of getting rid of an old motorcycle helmet are endless, and it is up to you to decide what to do with it.
You can take an idea from this guide and experiment with your old motorcycle helmet to reuse it, donate it, or get rid of it in a fun and environment-friendly way.
Helmetslab is a website that focuses on providing in-depth reviews and information about different types of helmets, including motorcycle helmets and others helmets. I am writing a post with proper research on the info that helps helmet users.