What To Do With Clutter:
How to Donate, Recycle, & Dispose of Your Stuff

When you are preparing to clear out clutter, it helps to know, in advance, what to do with clutter as you're ready to get rid of it.

What To Do With Clutter You Want to Donate (General)

• Goodwill
• Salvation Army
• Churches, Synagogues

What To Do With Clutter - Miscellaneous

• Terracycle.net

• Freecycle Network (freecycle.org)
• Freesharing.org (freesharing.org)
• Excess Access (www.excessaccess.com)

• Dump and Run (www.dumpandrun.org)

• Reycler’s World (www.recycle.net)

• Throwplace.com (www.throwplace.com)

• Stuff Ya Don’t Want (www.stuffyadontwant.com)

What To Do With Clutter You Want to Sell

When you're looking at what to do with clutter and want to make some money doing it, you've got plenty of options. My suggestion is that you first determine how much time and energy you want to invest, then decide if you want to sell them yourself or having someone else sell them for you (like consignment).

Because knowing what to do with clutter and actually doing it can be two different things. The easier to make it to get rid of things, the more likely you are to do so. When someone asks me what to do with clutter, I always suggest choosing the easiest, least time-consuming method possible.

• Craigslist (www.craigslist.org)
• eBay (www.ebay.com)
• Parting With Possessions (www.partingwithpossessions.com)
• Consignment stores (www.consignmentshops.com or Google 'consignment store' in your area)

What To Do With Clutter You Want to Trade

When you're looking at what to do with clutter and want to trade it, here are some good options:

• Barter Bee (www.barterbee.com)
• Care-to-Trade (www.caretotrade.com)
• Swaptree (www.swaptree.com)
• Trade Your Stuff Online (www.tradeyourstuffonline.com)

What To Do With Clutter You Want Hauled Away

(Junk Removal Services)

What to do with clutter - REAL clutter and junk - when you want to toss it?  Why not have someone else come and get it?

• 1-800-Got-Junk (www.gotjunk.com)

• 1-800-Junk-USA (www.1800junkusa.com)

Air conditioner:

• If it still works, take it to Goodwill, sell on Craigslist, Freecycle
• If it’s broken, call your local sanitation department – they will often collect air conditioners

Antifreeze:

• You’ll want to dispose of this properly, because it’s hazardous to the environment as well as extremely dangerous to animals and children, who are attracted by its sweet smell and taste.
• Check your local sanitation department (they often have a designated day when they’ll pick that stuff up) or you can ask about dropping it off yourself
• Take it to a local garage or recycling facility...they'll know what to do with clutter of this type.

Art supplies:

• Can often be donated to schools, churches and day cares for use in student art projects

Baby Blankets:

• Project Night Night (http://www.projectnightnight.org/)

• Project Night Night donates over 25,000 Night Night Packages each year, free of charge, to homeless children who need our childhood essentials to feel secure, cozy, ready to learn, and significant. Each Night Night Package contains a new security blanket, an age-appropriate children's book, and a stuffed animal -- all nestled inside of a new canvas tote bag.

Baby Clothes, Baby Furniture, and Other Baby Items:

• Garage sales are great for baby stuff
• Give to friends who are expecting
• Donate to families in need at church, Goodwill, women’s shelters

Batteries:

• Radio Shack and Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (www.rbrc.org)

• What to do with clutter that no longer has the 'juice?' Rechargeables (including cell phone and laptop batteries) can be taken to Radio Shack, who is partnering with Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation to recycle them into new batteries or other products

Bicycles:

• Bikes for the World (http://www.bikesfortheworld.org/)

• Collects bikes and sends them to developing nations. Bikes for the World has sent thousands of bicycles to people all over Africa, Central America and South America. Many bicycles have also been given to people in need in both urban and rural areas of the United States. To find a drop off location near you, check their website.

• Pedals for Progress (http://www.p4p.org/)

• Pedals for Progress donates bikes and also teaches bike repair to people in need throughout third-world countries. The goal of the organization is to keep bikes out of landfills and put them into the hands of people who can use them on a daily basis.

• World Bicycle Relief (http://www.worldbicyclerelief.org/)

• World Bicycle Relief gives used bikes to people who need some form of transportation throughout places such as Zambia and Sri Lanka. These bikes are also used by AIDS volunteers who need a way to pick up and deliver medication and other supplies.

• International Bicycle Fund (http://www.ibike.org/)

• A non-governmental, nonprofit, advocacy organization, providing information and resources promoting sustainable transport and international understanding to make this planet a healthier and happier place to live. Major areas of activity are non-motorized urban planning, economic development, bike safety education, responsible travel and bicycle tourism, and cross-cultural, educational programs.

• Find local organizations accepting gift donations during the holiday season. Toys for Tots and The Salvation Army will accept bike donations from the end of November all the day throughout the Christmas season

• Contact a local homeless shelter in your area. These bikes will then be given to homeless individuals who need transportation in order to pick up medication for children, food and other supplies. Most homeless shelters around the country will accept bike donations throughout the entire year.

Blankets:

• Any animal shelter or rescue group will be grateful for donations of leashes, beds, toys, food, blankets, towels, and bathroom rugs.

Books:

• Homeless shelters

• Especially womens’ shelters, as there are often kids staying with their mom’s. Good childrens’ books are almost always welcome. You might check with the staff at the shelter first to make sure they don’t have any specific restrictions on the types of books they don’t want.

• Prisons

• Your local detention center or prison may be a great place to donate some books. Note, though: be certain to check with them about their requirements for donations. Most likely, they will not want hardcover books, and will be very stringent about the subject matter.

• Local schools

• Your local elementary or secondary school often needs books for students learning to read. However, they are going to have specific books they are looking for. Ask a teacher or administrator for a wishlist of books that they need for their classroom, and donate any that might apply. You could also check with area pre-schools.

• Friends of the Library

• Most likely, your local library system has a ‘friends of the library’ organization that works to raise money for the library through the sale of used books at regular library book sales. They will generally welcome books of all subject matters in nice condition.

• Local thrift stores

• This includes Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill and Salvation Army in addition to smaller charity run thrift shops that may be benefiting specific needs in your community. They will generally sell the books you donate to raise money for their respective causes, so be certain that you believe in the cause they support (and be certain they are a non-profit group; there are a number of thrift stores that are purely for-profit enterprises).

• Hospitals

• Believe it or not, your local hospital will likely appreciate small book donations here and there, to share with folks who are there for an extended stay. Check with the administration first, of course.

• Project Night Night (http://www.projectnightnight.org/)

• Project Night Night donates over 25,000 Night Night Packages each year, free of charge, to homeless children who need our childhood essentials to feel secure, cozy, ready to learn, and significant. Each Night Night Package contains a new security blanket, an age-appropriate children's book, and a stuffed animal -- all nestled inside of a new canvas tote bag.

• Books For Soldiers (http://booksforsoldiers.com/)

• This non-profit group helps you get books into the hands of U.S. troops overseas. You will have to submit an application and be approved to ship books this way.

• Books for Africa (http://www.booksforafrica.org/)

• A great organization that works to build libraries and schools in Africa. Textbooks in English and French are always welcome, but so are nearly any other books in reasonable condition.

• Better World Books (http://www.betterworldbooks.com/)

• Better World Books is not actually a non-profit - they are a for-profit company, but partner with various charitable causes to help raise money. When you send books to them, they will sell them for prices ranging from $0.01 and up, and will generally share 30% of the revenue with a non-profit of your choice. Books that they can’t use are recycled.

• Used books stores

• Recyle

• What to do with clutter in the form of books that are in rough shape? It’s best to recyle them. Recycle paperbacks them by simply taking them to a paper recycling center as-is; for hardcovers, you must first rip off the covers and throw them away and recycle the text block (the book that remains after you’ve taken off the covers and spine).

Building Materials:

• Habitat for Humanity (http://www.habitat.org/env/restores.aspx)

• Check and see if there is a Habitat For Humanity ReStore in your local area, so people can buy your excess/used stuff and the money goes to Habitat. Knowing what to do with clutter from a home project or building can help someone else create something great.

• Build It Green (www.builditgreen.org)

Cell Phones:

• Women’s shelters

• Usable cellphones can usually be donated to women’s shelters to be programmed for 911 calls.

• Cell Phones for Soldiers (http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/)
• 911 Cell Phone Bank (http://www.911cellphonebank.org/)
• Earth 911 (http://earth911.com/recycling/electronics/)

• To find local organizations that accept used computers, televisions, cell phones and empty ink cartridges (which can be refilled or recycled), visit this site.

• Recycling for Charities (http://www.recyclingforcharities.com)
• Verizon Wireless’ Hopeline (www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline)

• Verizon Wireless’ HopeLine program collects no longer used wireless phones, batteries and accessories from any wireless service provider at our Communications Stores nationwide and puts the nation’s most reliable wireless network to work in our communities by turning these unused wireless phones into support for victims of domestic violence.

China:

• Replacements.com is one resource that buys china, crystal, and flatware. Check their website for details.
• Higher end furniture consignment stores often take china, crystal and flatware as well.

Clothing:

• Dress for Success (www.dressforsuccess.org)

• The mission of Dress for Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

• Career Gear (www.careergear.org)

• National nonprofit organization offering interview clothing and job counseling to men in need.

• Patagonia’s Common Threads Garment Recycling program (http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/patagonia.go?slc=en_US&sct=US&assetid=1956)

• Customers can return their worn out Capilene® Performance Baselayers (fleece clothing) for recycling. We've since been able to expand the list of recyclable garments to include worn out Patagonia® fleece, Polartec® fleece clothing (from any maker), Patagonia cotton T-shirts, and now some additional polyester and nylon 6 products that come with a Common Threads tag.

• American Red Cross (www.wecollectclothes.com)
• Women’s Alliance (www.thewomensalliance.org)

• In 21 states, accepts gently used women’s professional clothing, shoes, purses

• Catholic Charities (www.catholiccharitiesusa.org)
• Have a clothing swap with your best friends. Each of you can model, try on, and take home items that no longer work in your own closets. This is a fun way to handle what to do with clutter you find in your closet and wardrobe...and everyone benefits.

Crystal:

• Replacements.com is one resource that buys china, crystal, and flatware. Check their website for details.
• Higher end furniture consignment stores often take china, crystal and flatware as well.

Cars and other vehicles:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Cars for Kids’ Sake (http://www.bbbs.org/site/c.9iILI3NGKhK6F/b.5960983/k.B151/Cars_for_Kids_Sake.htm)

• If you have a big-ticket item to give, such as a car or truck, consider donating it to Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Cars for Kids’ Sake (bbbs.org). The group will pick it up (even if it doesn’t work!) and resell it; the proceeds will benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters programs in your community.

• Habitat for Humanity (habitat.org)
• American ¬Diabetes Asso¬ciation (diabetes.org)

Coins:

• If you have a small amount (or a large amount) of foreign currency from a trip abroad and want a great way to donate it to a good cause, check out: http://www.unicefusa.org/campaigns/changeforgood/

Computer:

• Donate to local senior center, school, or Goodwill
• If broken, bring to your local Staples store. They’ll charge you $10, but they’ll take it apart and make sure it’s recycled. They’ll also take monitors, laptops, printers, and faxes.
• Electronics TakeBack Coalition (www.electronicstakeback.com)
• Best Buy (www.bestbuy.com)

• And we'll take just about anything electronic, including TVs, DVD players, computer monitors, audio and video cables, cell phones, and more. Most things are recycled absolutely free, with a few restrictions.

• National Cristina Foundation (http://www.cristina.org/)

• Donate your old computers, printers and software to the National Cristina Foundation, which supplies electronics to charities across the country that support at-risk children, people with disabilities and the underprivileged.

• The World Computer Exchange (www.worldcomputerexchange.org)

• A nonprofit that aims to keep computers out of landfills by giving them to disadvantaged kids in more than 65 countries.

• Earth 911 (http://earth911.com/recycling/electronics/)

• To find local organizations that accept used computers, televisions, cell phones and empty ink cartridges (which can be refilled or recycled), visit this site.

• Greendisk (http://www.greendisk.com)

• All forms of electronic media and their cases: diskettes, zip disks, CDs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, DVDs et al, video tape (i.e. VHS), audio tape, game cartridges, DAT, DLT, Beta or Digibeta, and virtually all other type of computer tapes, and a huge variety of other computer cords and parts.

Dehumidifers:

• If it still works, take it to Goodwill
• If it’s broken, call your local sanitation department – they will often collect them

Dishes, silverware:

• Food banks and soup kitchens are always looking for donations

• Extra, mismatched stuff is fine

DVDs:

• AMVETS Task Force DVD (http://www.amvets.org/taskforcedvd)

• Collecting new and used DVDs and CDs to send to our troops.

• Eco Encore (www.ecoencore.com)

• They sell donated DVD’s to raise money for environmental non-profits.

• KidFlicks.org (www.kidflicks.org)

• Children’s hospitals and pediatric wards

DVD Players:

• Best Buy (www.bestbuy.com)

• And we'll take just about anything electronic, including TVs, DVD players, computer monitors, audio and video cables, cell phones, and more. Most things are recycled absolutely free, with a few restrictions.

Electronics:

• Best Buy (www.bestbuy.com)

• And they'll take just about anything electronic, including TVs, DVD players, computer monitors, audio and video cables, cell phones, and more. Most things are recycled absolutely free, with a few restrictions.

• Earth 911 (http://earth911.com/recycling/electronics/)

• To find local organizations that accept used computers, televisions, cell phones and empty ink cartridges (which can be refilled or recycled), visit this site.

• National Cristina Foundation (http://www.cristina.org/)

• Donate your old computers, printers and software to the National Cristina Foundation, which supplies electronics to charities across the country that support at-risk children, people with disabilities and the underprivileged.

• Games for Heroes (gamesforheroes.com)

• Handheld electronic gaming systems are one of the items most requested by troops stationed abroad. If you are wondering what to do with clutter in the form of electronic games and have some to donate, visit Games for Heroes; the group will send it to U.S. soldiers stationed in Afghanistan and Iraq.

• Get-Well Gamers Foundation (getwellgamers.org)

• Collects video-game systems and games and distributes them to a network of more than 40 children’s hospitals and treatment facilities across the country.

Environmentally Sensitive Materials:

• Check with your local landfill or recycling center
• www.epa.gov/garbage

Exercise equipment:

• Fitness 4 Charity (http://www.fitness4charity.com/)

• A not for profit company dedicated to providing used exercise equipment for those in need.

• Salvation Army or Goodwill, local Boys and Girls club

• Sports Gift (http://www.sportsgift.org/)

• Sports Gift is focused on providing sports to underprivileged children throughout the world and promoting sports related community service among our youth.

• Play It Again Sports (http://www.playitagainsports.com/)

• For what to do with clutter (exercise equipment), if you have several sports items to get rid of, Play It Again Sports pays cash for all kinds of sports and fitness equipment, large and small at their stores. You can use your trade-in to either trade up or to get cash. The amount you can sell your used sports equipment for depends on the item’s condition and the desirability of the item and the brand.

Flatware/Silverware:

• Replacements.com is one resource that buys china, crystal, and flatware. Check their website for details.
• Higher end furniture consignment stores often take china, crystal and flatware as well.

Furniture:

• Try local shelters, disabled veterans associations, The Red Cross, the AARP, or local churches.
• National Furniture Bank Association (nationalfurniturebank.org)

• Contribute your used furniture, such as beds, couches and dining-room tables, to your local chapter of the National Furniture Bank Association. The organization provides furniture to victims of hurricanes, floods and earthquakes. It also helps families living below the poverty level and women and children who are starting over after fleeing violent homes.

Food:

• Canned goods (say you bought too much) can be donated to homeless shelters or food banks as long as the expiration date has not passed
• Second Harvest (www.secondharvest.org)
• Salvation Army
• Foodshare.us (www.freesharing.org/foodshare.php)

• To donate perishable and nonperishable food items that might otherwise go to waste.

Glasses:

• Unite For Sight (www.UniteForSight.org)

• accepts non-prescription sunglasses and sends them to people in Africa who don’t have access to eye care

• OneSight (www.onesight.org)
• Lion’s Club (http://donateglasses.org/)
• New Eyes for the Needy (http://www.neweyesfortheneedy.org/)

Golf Clubs:

• Give to the Troops (http://www.give2thetroops.org/G2TTGolf.htm)

• To Date, Give2TheTroops has provided more than 25,000 golf clubs as well as turf, balls and other items to our troops in combat as well as to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Bethesda Naval Hospital, Camp Lejeune's Wounded Warrior Clinics for their therapeutic recreational programs!

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Hangers (wire clothing hangers):

• Give to local dry cleaners for reuse...what to do with clutter from your closets (and keep you from having those wire hangers yourself.)

*** What To Do With Clutter That Starts With I ***

Ink cartridges:

• Earth 911 (http://earth911.com/recycling/electronics/)

• To find local organizations that accept used computers, televisions, cell phones and empty ink cartridges (which can be refilled or recycled), visit this site.

*** What To Do With Clutter That Starts With J ***

Junk Mail:

• The Direct Mail Marketing Association (www.dmachoice.org)

• Can show you how to get your name off mailing lists (one of my favorite ways on what to do with clutter of this kind)

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*** What To Do With Clutter That Starts With L ***

*** What To Do With Clutter That Starts With M ***

Magazines:

• What to do with clutter in the form of mazagines comes up a lot in my classes and programs! Instead of your latest copy getting a single read and heading straight for the recycling bin, see if you can give them to schools, hospitals, women’s shelters, senior citizen homes, jails, YMCA’s, libraries, or local coffee shops.

Make-up:

• Old containers: M*A*C and Kiehl’s offer free products in return for old containers
• Have a ‘product swap’ with your women friends
• Give to teenage girls (yours or your friends’)

Medication:

• If it is has expired, don’t flush it down the toilet or the sink
• Check with your local pharmacy…they often collect expired drugs for disposal

Motor oil:

• You’ll want to dispose of this properly, because it’s hazardous to the environment as well as dangerous to animals
• Check your local sanitation department (they often have a designated day when they’ll pick that stuff up) or you can ask about dropping it off yourself
• Oil changing services

Musical instruments:

• The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation (www.mhopus.org)

• Inspired by the movie about a dedicated music teacher, refurbishes used instruments and gives them to underfunded school music programs.

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*** What To Do With Clutter That Starts With O ***

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Packing peanuts:

• Take them all to shipping stores (Mailboxes Etc.,), who will gladly take them off your hands. I really like knowing what to do with clutter associated with packing...and having a good place for those packing peanuts to go.

Paint:

• You’ll want to dispose of this properly, because it’s hazardous to the environment as well as dangerous to animals

• Check your local sanitation department (they often have a designated day when they’ll pick that stuff up) or you can ask about dropping it off yourself

• Leave the can open (somewhere safe) so the paint can completely dry, then you can throw it away

Paper:

• Shred-it (http://www.shredit.com/)

• Offers community shred events, free of charge. Check for your area.

• SiftSort (www.siftsort.com)

• Online storage of your valuable papers (great for a backup and for remote access).

Printers:

• National Cristina Foundation (http://www.cristina.org/)

• Donate your old computers, printers and software to the National Cristina Foundation, which supplies electronics to charities across the country that support at-risk children, people with disabilities and the underprivileged.

Prom dresses:

• Donate My Dress (http://www.donatemydress.org/)

• Check to find locations in your area where you can donate prom dresses and formal wear for underprivileged young women.

• Glass Slipper Project (http://www.glassslipperproject.org/)

• The Glass Slipper Project collects new and almost-new formal dresses and accessories and provides them, free of charge, to Chicago high school students who are unable to purchase their own prom attire.

Pet Stuff:

• Any animal shelter or rescue group will be grateful for donations of leashes, beds, toys, food, blankets, towels, and bathroom rugs.

• You probably already know that you can donate used blankets, towels, and bathroom rugs to any area animal shelter so some poor creature doesn't have to sleep on a concrete floor. The very same people will also be more than happy to take your other pet stuff, assuming it's in good condition. I'm always happy knowing what to do with clutter that can help animals in need.

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Sports Equipment:

• At iLoveSchools.com, teachers post wish lists for items they need that are beyond their school’s budget; many request sporting goods such as jump ropes, hula hoops and basketballs.
• You can contribute just about any type of sports equipment—from tennis ball hoppers to old team uniforms — to SportsGift.org. The group uses your donations to create community sports programs for under¬privileged children worldwide.

Shoes:

• Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe campaign collects all brands of used athletic shoes, which are recycled and turned into everything from basketball courts and running tracks to new athletic shoes and gear. To find drop-off locations, visit nikereuseashoe.com.
• One World Running (oneworld running.blogspot.com) accepts gently used running sneakers and sends them to people in need. You can also visit RecycledRunners.com to find other organizations in your area that will benefit from your used sneakers.
• The charity Soles4Souls (soles 4souls.org) was formed after the tsunami hit Southeast Asia in 2004 in order to provide shoes to people who had lost everything in the storm.Today the nonprofit accepts gently used footwear and sends it to people in need around the world.

Silverware:

• Replacements.com is one resource that buys china, crystal, and flatware. Check their website for details.
• Higher end furniture consignment stores often take china, crystal and flatware as well.

Stuffed Animals:

• Project Night Night (http://www.projectnightnight.org/)

• Project Night Night donates over 25,000 Night Night Packages each year, free of charge, to homeless children who need our childhood essentials to feel secure, cozy, ready to learn, and significant. Each Night Night Package contains a new security blanket, an age-appropriate children's book, and a stuffed animal -- all nestled inside of a new canvas tote bag.

*** What To Do With Clutter That Starts With T ***

Toner cartridges

• Check with local retainers for recycling
• Staples stores for recycling
• Earth 911 (http://earth911.com/recycling/electronics/)

• To find local organizations that accept used computers, televisions, cell phones and empty ink cartridges (which can be refilled or recycled), visit this site.

Towels:

• Any animal shelter or rescue group will be grateful for donations of leashes, beds, toys, food, blankets, towels, and bathroom rugs.

TV:

• Best Buy (www.bestbuy.com)

• And they'll take just about anything electronic, including TVs, DVD players, computer monitors, audio and video cables, cell phones, and more. Most things are recycled absolutely free, with a few restrictions.

• Earth 911 (http://earth911.com/recycling/electronics/)

• To find local organizations that accept used computers, televisions, cell phones and empty ink cartridges (which can be refilled or recycled), visit this site.

Watercoolers:

• If it still works, take it to Goodwill
• If it’s broken, call your local sanitation department – they will often collect appliances with Freon

Wedding dress:

• Making Memories (www.makingmemories.org)
• Brides Against Breast Cancer (bridesagainstbreastcancer.org)

• Accepts wedding gowns, slips and veils and sells them at events across the country. All proceeds go to Making Memories.org, a foundation that grants final wishes to women who have ¬terminal breast cancer.

Do have any other resources that need to be added to this "What To Do With Clutter" list? If so, please contact me and I'll consider adding them to this list.

Again, figuring out what to do with clutter is often the stumbling block that prevents many people from actually letting go of their stuff, so knowing that there are many great places that take all kinds of stuff can be such a relief.

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