Recycle Your Clutter

Recycle your clutter for a way to feel good! Clear your space, help others, and reduce the amount of trash in our landfills, all at once. Time and time again, people who I have worked with are more likely to let go of their clutter when they know someone else can benefit from their donations.

So take a look at the following resources to help you recycle your clutter! If you find some great resources of your own, please share them with the rest of us!

Need more motivation to recycle your clutter? Take 20 minutes to watch this amazing video explaining the Story of Stuff.

Recycle Locally

Before you think about having to send off your clutter, take time to see what is available in your hometown. Find organizations matching your values and interests. Give them a call or check out their website to see what they need or want! Don't rule out anyone! One client, who was an interior designer, had a ton of samples including fabrics, carpets, and tiles, so I called Girl Scouts and they were thrilled with the goodies! Some organizations will even pick up your stuff for you!

Here are some ideas:

Women's Shelters
YWCA, YMCA
Girl Scouts, Girl Guides, Campfire Girls
Boy Scouts
Animal Shelthers
Red Cross
Literacy Programs
Habitat for Humanity
Environmental Groups

Recycle Cell Phones

Collective Good
Consumers are offered a socially and environmentally responsible means of disposing of their old mobile phones, charities generate newfound funds to further their missions, and we all take steps to bridge the digital divide by providing affordable modern communications to citizens in the developing world.

Phones 4 Charity
Phones 4 Charity is a national program designed to remove discarded wireless phones from the country's environment while directly benefiting charitable organizations.

Recellular, Inc.
Recellular, Inc., accepts cell phones, as well as toner cartridges, small and large quantities. For larger quantities, rebates are given, depending on the condition of the phones. Recellular can help you set up a collection program to benefit a charitable organization.

Recycle Computers and other Techno-Trash

GreenDisk
Now there is one place for you to responsibly and securely dispose of all your computer-related waste, spent supplies and obsolete accessories. GreenDisk handles all your techno-trash disposal needs from a CD to a PC and just about everything in between. (Want to see a full list of what we take?) You can stop worrying about what to do with all of that techno-trash piling up in your office, store room, attic, or garage. Let GreenDisk safely and securely destroy your old data, recover reusable components, and recycle all of the the rest of your accumulated techno-trash - all at your convenience, at home or at work.

National Wild Life Federation
Find a list of what they recycle and receive a pre-paid shipping label to send your e-waste to them!

Responsible Electronic Recycling
Learn about Electronic Recycling Takeback programs.

Recycle Eyeglasses

Give the Gift of Sight
Give new life to your old eyeglasses. Eyeglasses are collected, cleaned, repaired, classified by prescription and hand-delivered to people in developing countries by Lens Crafter's and Lions club volunteers.

Recycle Used Books

BookMooch
BookMooch lets you give away books you no longer need in exchange for books you really want.

Recycle DVD Movies

Peerflix
An online community to help you sell, buy or trade movies you are willing to let go of.

Recycle Other Usable but Unwanted Items

Tangible Karma
Tangible Karma is a donation tracking service that gives you a chance to see the difference your donated goods can make in the world.

The Freecycle Network
The Freecycle Network™ is made up of many individual groups across the globe. It's a grassroots movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns.

When you want to find a new home for something -- whether it's a chair, a fax machine, piano, or an old door -- you simply send an e-mail offering it to members of your Freecycle group.

Or, maybe you're looking to acquire something yourself. Simply respond to a member's offer, and you just might get it. After that, it's up to the giver to decide who receives the gift and to set up a pickup time for passing on the treasure.

One main rule: Everything posted must be free, legal, and appropriate for all ages.