Sometimes the barrier to decluttering is that you don’t know where to donate. Or IF you could/should donate. So here’s some guidance and suggestions that I recommend regularly to my clients.
First and foremost, we don’t want to cause more work for the people who are taking in the donations. So if the item you are decluttering is broken, stained, or worn out - please either recycle it or toss it in your trash. It ultimately isn’t going to make it to another home and passing it on to someone else to have to do this isn’t helpful.
Have an old laptop, tv, cans of paint, or other hazardous waste items sitting around your home that aren’t easy to get rid of? Now’s your opportunity if you live in Northern KY! Once a year, the local Sanitation District holds a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event and it is coming up on Saturday, November 5 from 9am - 2pm. Find more details and the required form at SD1.org/HHW. If you don’t live in Northern KY, check with your local sanitation district to see if they hold a similar event.
Cell phones can be recycled by dropping them off at the Cincinnati Zoo, in a container located next to the Gorilla exhibit. Why the Zoo? Cell phones contain an ore, called Coltan, which is mined in endangered Gorilla habitat in Africa. By reducing the demand for Coltan, you help save the animals and their habitat.
Halloween Candy (or any candy that piles up after holidays) can be donated to Operation Shoebox. This wonderful organization sends supplies to our troops - including socks, toothpaste, sports gear, and snacks - including a bag of candy in every box! So don’t let that Halloween Candy sit around your house until Christmas - go ahead and fill a box to send to our troops! My kids look forward to collecting as much candy as they can on Halloween for the sole purpose of sending to soldiers. Here is the address to send candy: Operation Shoebox 8360 East Highway 25, Belleview FL 34420
Let’s be real - do you EVER wear formal wear twice? I’m betting most of us have had a bridesmaid or special occasion dress that sat in our closet for years. Instead of waiting until it goes out of style - why not go ahead and donate it to Cinderella’s Closet, a local organization that provides formal wear to girls who could otherwise not afford to attend their prom. They also take accessories!
Here are two other clothing resources I’d like to mention. For women’s business attire, purses, and accessories, you can donate to Dress for Success. This is an organization that empowers women by providing them with professional attire, services, and tools to secure employment and advance their careers. Another organization that accepts clothing is Master Provisions. The accept good quality summer-weight clothing and shoes (no-heels) that is delivered on mission trips.
Furniture is one of the hardest things to declutter, especially if you don’t have a truck to haul it. That’s where New Life Furniture Bank could be the answer! They offer a pickup service if your furniture items are ready to go to a new home (no rips, stains, tears, or pet hair) - mattress/box springs, sofa, living room chair/recliner, and dining table/chairs.
Are their books on your shelf you’re tired of dusting or maybe boxes of books that were never unpacked and are still sitting in your basement? How about dvds and cds? Take them to your local library! They can use them to loan out or sell at a book warehouse, allowing them to support programs for your community.
If you have a lot to declutter and donate and don’t want to mess with taking individual items to different places, consider taking it to your local thrift shop or calling 1800Declutter to take it for you! I’ve worked with 1800Declutter many, many times and they always do a great job! They will donate anything they can and handle the disposal of anything that can’t be donated. It’s the quickest way to free up space in your home, as you just point to it and they remove it.
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