This is a little off topic, but my previous next door neighbor, now in assisted living, was like that. Both her and her husband who's gone now, used to recycle everything.
We kind of thought it was funny when we put something in the garbage then saw them using it. We put out an old metal trash can because it split, and the next day they had a bird bath. Even down to doing dishes. She would use a dishpan then throw the dirty water on her plants as the detergent would keep the pests away.
Too bad we didn't pay attention more! :) :) :)
When she went into the assisted care, her daughter gave me silver butter dishes, platters, etc. They were still in the original package with the cards from their wedding over 50 years prior. They kept the good stuff for later.