So, you caught the decluttering bug and have been incredibly productive and ruthless in unearthing the unnecessary, redundant and unwanted ‘stuff’ that has been hiding in your home for years and now you would like to find a new home for it. OR…you know you need to get busy ridding your home of clutter, but are just putting your plan in place.
Not only would you like your discards to land somewhere where they might be useful, but we surely don’t need to add more to our landfills. What do you do with all your discards? I’m here with some answers.
I find it’s always easier to remove stuff from my home when I know its going to someone who will put it to good use. There are many agencies which will take your gently used items and make them available to those who need it. If you’re documenting your charitable contributions for tax purposes, here’s a site which gives suggested values of commonly donated items.
Where to Donate Your Gently Used Items:
- Clothing
- Dress For Success
- Vietnam Veterans of America
- Goodwill
- American Red Cross
- Salvation Army
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
- FreeCycle
- Suits for Veterans
- Local Homeless Shelter
- Local Domestic Violence Shelter
- Local Church
- Shoes
- Gently Used shoes can be donated to the same places as gently used clothing
- Well worn shoes can be taken to your local Nike Factory Outlet Store (I’m not sure why that appears like it has been struck through…the link still works) They will grind up the rubber soles to make the surface for playgrounds and tracks.
- Furniture
- Salvation Army
- Habitat Humanity ReStore
- FreeCycle
- Local Church
- Books
- Books for Soldiers
- Books for America
- Communities in Schools
- Local Literacy Foundation
- Local Schools
- Local Churches
- Local Libraries
- Knick-Knacks, Tchotchkes, Lamps, etc.
- Vietnam Veterans of America
- Goodwill
- American Red Cross
- Salvation Army
- FreeCycle
- Habitat Humanity ReStore
- Take trophies back to local trophy store, where than can be ‘reused’ for charitable organizations.
- Games and Art Supplies to your local after school tutoring program, such as Communities in Schools.
Where to Take Items For Recycling:
- The Earth911 site will provide locations in your area for recycling many items.
- Computers and Electronics
- Staples, Office Depot and many other local computer repair/sales stores will accept your computers and parts for recycling. Take out or wipe your hard drive first.
- Contact your local solid waste/recycling department. Many have sites that take these items.
- Compact Fluorescent and Rechargeable Batteries
- Home Depot and Lowe’s Home Improvement
- Paint and Fertilizers
- Contact your local solid waste/recycle department. Many have sites that accept these items.
- Packaging Materials (that popcorn stuff)
- The UPS store or other local shipping store will often accept this
- Wire Hangers
- Dry cleaners will often gladly take wire hangers
Now that you have a list of places to take your discards…keep uncluttering!
Interested in More Decluttering or Organizing Posts?
- Catch up on all 4 weeks of the Unclutter Your Nest Bootcamp here:
Week 1: Bedrooms and Bathrooms
Week 2: Kitchen and Craft/Office Space
Week 3: Den/Living Room/Play Room/Coat Closet/Laundry Room
- Other Decluttering and Organizing Posts:
Where to Donate and Recycle Your Discards
Personalized Kitchen Drawer Organization
Organizing and Storage Ideas for an Uncluttered Bathroom
Organized Closets and Cabinets