Have you ever found yourself plagued by the clutter of things that are “just too good to get rid of?” Some of these sites may make letting go a bit easier.
[bctt tweet=”Plagued by stuff that’s just too good to get rid of?” username=”AndreaPatten”]
Loving Hugs sends your gently used stuffed animals to kids in refugee camps, orphanages, and war zones.
Do you have a gorgeous wedding gown you know your daughter will never wear? How about the prom dresses you’ve talked about re-making? Brides Across America may be just the right way for you to show your support for a military bride while the other fancy gowns pass through Donate My Dress on the way to their next Sweet 16, quinceanera or other teen gala.
And giving second life to good clothing is not just for women. Career Gear provides interview clothing (and support) to unemployed men.
Teeny, tiny clothing only worn for a few months? Check out Newborns in Need.
Running shoes just never fit quite right? Nearly new can be redistributed to shelters while the ones in tough condition are recycled into material for tracks and playgrounds. One World Running There’s also Soles for Souls.
Wow! From a very cool site called There Is No “Away”… Art supply company Crayola will now take back dried up markers (apparently ANY brand) to keep them out of the landfill.
And, speaking of landfills… Did you know that old CDs and DVDs should not be tossed in with your plastic or glass recycling? Try this instead.
And don’t get me started on the topic of out-dated electronics. A little research and a little mindfulness go a long way on this front. There are components that do not belong in a landfill. In fact, the state of California considers nonfunctioning CRTs (cathode ray tubes) from televisions and monitors hazardous and has made it illegal to dispose of discarded electronics alongside ‘regular’ trash and recycling. Perhaps with that in mind, some retailers are stepping up to take responsibility for disposing of consumers’ defunct electronic products. Some even offer gift cards or credit as an incentive. So the next time you’ve replaced one of your electronic thingies and are wondering what to do with the old one… the one that won’t hold a charge? Start by taking a look at Staples, Best Buy, and Apple.