How to Get Rid of your Stuff - Recycle just about everything, Donate, and Consignment

Next time you want to get rid of something don't throw it in the trash! There are numerous outlets for FREE recycling for almost everything. Since moving to Charlottesville 9 years ago, we have not had home trash pick up. We recycle or find a home for nearly every item we no longer want. I'll share a few ways to unload clothes that no longer fit, gifts that are just not your thing, and even old cell phones, batteries, and light bulbs.

Body wash that found a new home on Freecycle.

Unbelievably you can a new home for even used toiletries! Why dump down the drain 1/2 used shampoo or body wash. Almost every community has a local Freecycle program where you can post an item you will never use. You can search for the program in your area on yahoogroups or on Facebook under Buy Nothing. I've learned to place items at the end of my driveway and the person picking up my item doesn't even see me or my house. Items I've successfully "gifted"; Board games, 1/2 bottle body wash, old shampoo, tea, rubber bands (never thought that would go), foam pads, baking pans, knives, coffee machine, and even a kids treated wood jungle gym. I also have scored some great items; reel cover for our pool (easily a $300. item), packing materials, plants, cat litter box, shades, milk boxes, filing cabinet, sawdust, and more.

We love him but he creates a lot of waste!

Probably the most difficult items to recycle are electronics and other related items. I recently discovered that at Lowes, near the return counter, they have added a recycle container for compact florescent bulbs, recycled batteries, and plastic bags. If you don't have a cat, you might not realize that many homes with cats use the disposable plastic shopping bags to hold scooped cat litter (I stopped accepting these bags 5 years ago so am always in need of them). While researching the Levy Lions a few years ago, I discovered a cell phone recycle bin at the UVA Alderman library. I've recycled my phones and even friends phones.

Sold this lovely on Craigslist for $75.00 & FREE haul away.

Trying to unload something bigger like a computer or TV? Best Buy accepts many electronics and even cell phones. There are some limitations as to quantity and sometimes there is a fee. I even found a local individual on Freecycle that will take any and all electronics. I can accumulate a load and away it goes.

Of course nearly every community has a local recycle center where you can take paper, metal, plastic, cardboard. Every center is different as to what they accept and how they accept it. Our center even takes food scraps and has a book exchange where you can pick up or take books! Speaking of books, you can drop off unwanted books locally at the main library or any branch that will be sold at the MEGA BOOK SALE that is held twice a year at the Gordon Library.

Animals get incarcerated because of no fault of their own.

My favorite places to donate items locally are the SPCA Thrift Store and Habitat Restore, of course depending upon what you have to donate.

If you have an item that you would like to try and sell, there are numerous ways to do this. Several sites have sprung up on Facebook groups recently; Craigslist and Online Yard Sales. Yahoogroups also hosts the email driven Craigslist. Consider online consignment if you can find someone in your area that sells vintage on Etsy or items on Ebay. I don't have a favorable impression of most retail consignment shops because they discount your item if it does not sell and often you end up getting very little for it.

Just because you can recycle something, doesn't mean you should consume MORE. Think about all the energy and resources used to create a product in the first place. To truly conserve and be more planet friendly, cutting your consumption is the key but why load up our landfills with junk if someone is willing to use your unwanted items!

If you have exhausted all avenues for an item, I would love to know what it is and am happy to try to find an outlet for you. I've set a new goal to get rid of something every work day either by selling it or giving it away. Off to see if I can unload those lamp shades!

~Rebecca