Homeschool Fiction

Is 2008 your year to become organized and get rid of all your clutter? Do you have items in closets that you haven’t looked at in years, but aren’t sure what to do with? Consider recycling your items in unusual ways.

CLOTHING:

• Fur coat? Donate it to PETA; they give them to homeless people and cold people in other countries. The donation is entirely tax deductible. Or better yet, donate them to Coats for Cubs where the coats will go to orphaned and injured animals.
• Work (dress) clothing? Dress for Success (for women), Career Gear (for men)
• Old coats? One Warm Coat
• Prom dresses? Glass Slipper Project
• Old towels? Your local animal shelter
• Children’s clothing? Local thrift shops and women’s shelters. Don’t be afraid of using old clothing for quilts and other arts and crafts! Don’t keep these in storage for too long, as the elastic that is so common in children’s clothing wears out very quickly. It is better to have the clothes ON someone, than sitting in your closet.

VEHICLES and other BIG THINGS:

• Car, motorcycle, or other vehicle that is no longer in working order? Cars 4 Causes or Donate a Car or any number of other similar organizations (where you choose where the proceeds go). Even Toys for Tots,the Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity now take vehicles!
• Building supplies? Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore
• CRT monitors? It is important to recycle these safely. If you don’t have someone to give these to, find your closest center that deals with old monitors. Start with trying to give them to someone that wants them! There are a lot of people that want these monitors, especially if given for free (try Freecycle or your clubs/church). Tucson has a center called World Care, where used and new textbooks, school supplies, and computer equipment can be donated. Many cities have similar places. Some Salvation Army locations accept monitors, also. Call before hauling yours, just in case. If you are replacing your CRT monitor with a new flat screen, many retailers will safely recycle your old monitor if you give it within a certain length of time. If all else fails, pay the disposal fee. I’ve seen it range from $20-35 per monitor, depending on where you live, but it is worth the cost for proper disposal.
• Broken computer hardware/peripherals/etc.? Believe it or not, these items are very popular on ebay. Non-dangerous parts are often coveted by college art classes. Consider donating there.
• Animal carriers? Your local animal shelter

SMALL THINGS:

• Have jewelry that for one reason or another (broken, from an ex, etc.) isn’t wearable? Consider having it made into something that you would love! GreenKarat.com recycles old jewelry into new.
• Craft and art supplies, including fabric? Schools, churches, homeschooling groups, 4-H, Scouts
• Eye glasses? New Eyes for the Needy
• Your hair? Locks of Love
• Old cell phones? Wireless Recycling Recellular
• Books, DVDs, VHSs? Your local library!
• Toys? If they are in good shape, consider giving them to a local church, daycare, or women’s shelter. If they are brand new, the Toys for Tots (and other similar charities) will take them year round. There are always children that have this need.
• Small working appliances? Women’s shelters, and any Goodwill or Salvation Army usually takes these.

EVERYTHING ELSE:

• Brand new gifts that you’ve received that you don’t want/can’t use? Try offering them to your friends.
• Food? This is a tough one, as most food banks will only accept sealed containers (like cans, jars, and bottles). Don’t be afraid of offering food items to neighbors and friends — everyone eats and we all have different tastes. We’ve been able to give away a lot of food this way, making us feel good that it hasn’t gone to waste and giving a friend/neighbor something they’ll use.
• Have an unusual item that you are sure no one in their right mind would want? Someone, somewhere, is looking for it right now. Check out ebay.com, Freecycle, and Craig’s List.
• Still have no takers? Go to your local thrift shop and make a donation. Try Goodwill, Salvation Army, AMVETS (they, too, take vehicles). Other local places can include Women’s shelters, children’s homes, and various churches.
• Have a big item (couch, toilet, vaccum cleaner, etc.) that you can’t get rid of? Consider leaving it near the street in front of your house. Many people scavenge around looking for good deals like that. Just don’t leave it there for too long!!!
• Still have something you don’t know what to do with? Try the “Recycle This” blog

Related Articles:

• Unexpected Animal Products — Making a Vegan Home
• How Green is Your Diet?
• New Quotes and a Few “Old” Items Back
• Unexpected Garden
• Why Vegan Body Products?

By: Lisa