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Post by kryssy on Aug 13, 2015 13:15:58 GMT
We're slowly but surely de-cluttering, and I'm having no problem letting go of things... but I am having a problem with what to do with them. I have a BIG problem with just throwing stuff away (Landfill Guilt? Is that a Thing...) so I'd really like to have an alternate plan for all but the junkiest of stuff.
For example, I have five lunchboxes/packs that work fine, but are a little stained. One is in great shape, but has my daughter's name on it in Sharpie (who's going to go to Goodwill and buy a Princess lunchbox with someone else's name on it? :0p) I have a box of random Tupperware parts, which I'm hoping can just be recycled with the rest of the plastic...? And I'm finally ready to release the GARBAGE BAG full of mismatched socks that I was holding on to... you know, for when the mate finally showed up. Where the heck do I take that?! Surely something can be done with the material...?
And that's just the tip of the iceberg -- there are electronics that no longer work, clothes that are worn, games/toys that are missing a couple of pieces... please tell me there's an alternative to just throwing all this in the trash...?
Any and all ideas welcome!
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Post by mikklynn on Aug 13, 2015 13:20:34 GMT
Sometimes items have outlived their usefulness. I would say these items fit that category and you should throw them away, no guilt necessary.
Have you ever watched Hoarders? They can never get rid of anything because they feel they can find a use for it. I try to remember that when I purge! I don't want to be on the show - LOL.
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Post by peasapie on Aug 13, 2015 13:22:42 GMT
To tell you the truth, I would have ditched that kind of stuff long ago. Which makes me think you are going to have a hard time with this. But what I would do is put it all in the Goodwill bin and let them decide. They know where to send stuff they can't use, if it's useable for something else.
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Post by liya on Aug 13, 2015 13:27:21 GMT
kryssy I feel the same way you do. Sometimes I just want to throw everything away but then feel guilty because I spent so much money on stuff. But on the other hand I don't want to donate items with missing pieces or other imperfections so in my basement they sit.
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mallie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,253
Jul 3, 2014 18:13:13 GMT
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Post by mallie on Aug 13, 2015 13:27:51 GMT
If you truly think there is a value to any of that, put it on Freecycle or Craigslist. See what happens. There are lots of people out there who take stuff I can't ever imagine as long as it's free. If there are no takers for things like a garbage bag full of mismatched socks, then Goodwill doesn't want it either and it's time to toss it.
I get that you hate for things to end up in the landfill, but at a certain point, you can't keep holiding onto something "just in case someone might want it someday." That's how hoarding begins.
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Post by monklady123 on Aug 13, 2015 13:29:46 GMT
Yes watching "Hoarders" might help you get rid of stuff. omg at that show. I watch it and then run around and get rid of stuff. Most of what you listed could be trashed or recycled. We have curbside recycling in my town that pretty much takes anything so those mismatched tupperware parts would be fine to dump in that bin. We do have a special collection place for electronic stuff. Also there are several places here that will take all electronics because they use them for training and/or for parts for other computers/printers/whatever. You might see if you have something like that in your area. But in the end, trash it. Or, if you have a lot you could hire a junk hauler -- I've been investigating these for our church and most of them will recycle/sell/repurpose what they pick up so you'd know your stuff wasn't just going straight to the landfill. And, just keep the end result in mind, the uncluttered living space that will be peaceful and relaxing.
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Post by anonrefugee on Aug 13, 2015 13:32:54 GMT
I'd give the random Tuperware parts to Goodwill or whatever charity you use. They might meet their match there. At least if it's name brand, I wouldn't bother with no -name pieces.
Do you have a fiber collection place? That's a good one for socks. Or vet and animal shelter can use socks as rags?
Good luck, sometimes it's difficult. We had to send toilets to landfill during a renovation last year. They were in good shape but didn't match. It was sad but no one, not even Habitat Restore, wants a 15 year old toilet. The conservation features have improved too much. You can't even free cycle them- at least here.
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Post by kryssy on Aug 13, 2015 13:34:25 GMT
So, should I feel guilty giving it all to Goodwill to sort out...? I suppose they could just throw it all away, but somehow that makes me feel better than if I do it. Ugh. I think Landfill Guilt IS a thing...
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iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,276
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
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Post by iowgirl on Aug 13, 2015 13:36:15 GMT
I agree - watch a couple episodes of Hoarders - and it is WHOLE lot easier to get rid of stuff.
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Post by kryssy on Aug 13, 2015 13:39:24 GMT
Do you have a fiber collection place? That's a good one for socks. Or vet and animal shelter can use socks as rags? Oh, that's a good idea -- I forgot about places that might need rags. And to be clear -- I have no problem getting rid of stuff. If someone would come and take ALL of it, I'd hire them in a nano-second. I only have a problem setting stuff out for the trash...
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Post by anonrefugee on Aug 13, 2015 13:44:12 GMT
So, should I feel guilty giving it all to Goodwill to sort out...? I suppose they could just throw it all away, but somehow that makes me feel better than if I do it. Ugh. I think Landfill Guilt IS a thing... It's so hard to be conscientious, isn't it? They're being overwhelmed with stuff that should have been trashed- that's an expense for them. We have a local charity that takes used but workable school supplies (like lunchbox) to a sister town where they are appreciated . But truly "done" unusable stuff needs to be trashed. I'm guilty of holding things in garage until I find the right place to donate. Sometimes I have to cry "uncle" so I can move forward. I get it!
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Post by penguin on Aug 13, 2015 13:51:52 GMT
I talked to the ladies who run the assistance league thrift store where I donate items. The best clothes are sold in the store. The clothes that are still serviceable, but not quite as nice are donated to a church who makes trips to Mexico. They give them to people who make their living selling items they find in their local landfill. The rest of the clothes are sold as rags for recycling. I know everything I donate there will get reused in some way.
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Post by pmm on Aug 13, 2015 13:52:03 GMT
I saw a program once that stated Goodwill sorts everything and the things that don't meet their criteria will be recycled. This includes stained and torn clothing.
I would send to Goodwill. The puzzles that are missing pieces...I would just tape the box shut and write on the tape that it is missing pieces. Some crafter out in this big ol' world is looking for puzzle pieces for a project.
I too have a hard time throwing things out for the trash. I recycle as much as possible.
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akathy
What's For Dinner?
Still peaing from Podunk!
Posts: 4,546
Location: North Dakota
Jun 25, 2014 22:56:55 GMT
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Post by akathy on Aug 13, 2015 13:52:40 GMT
Trash it with no guilt. They've outlived their purpose.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Aug 13, 2015 13:53:45 GMT
My philosophy is pretty simple - my house isn't a landfill. You've already made the decision that the old lunchbox was trash when you purchased a new one, two, three, four, five! Now you're just using your house as the dump, instead of the actual landfill. Good ecological decisions are made at the point of purchase. Once it's trash it's trash. And yes you could throw it in a bag for goodwill and they can throw it in the dumpster for you - but is that really solving anything? Now the electronics and plastic are different - take those to a recycling center.
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Post by Bitchy Rich on Aug 13, 2015 13:56:47 GMT
The stuff that is useable, like the lunchboxes/packs and worn clothing, I would post on freecycle. I read that the Salvation Army sells clothing by the pound to be made into rags, so I would drop off the bag of mismatched socks there and not feel guilty about it. Electronics that don't work, send those to the recycling center.
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Post by anonrefugee on Aug 13, 2015 13:57:52 GMT
My philosophy is pretty simple - my house isn't a landfill. You've already made the decision that the old lunchbox was trash when you purchased a new one, two, three, four, five! Now you're just using your house as the dump, instead of the actual landfill. Good ecological decisions are made at the point of purchase. Once it's trash it's trash. And yes you could throw it in a bag for goodwill and they can throw it in the dumpster for you - but is that really solving anything? Now the electronics and plastic are different - take those to a recycling center. This can't be said often enough: Good ecological decisions are made at the point of purchase. Thanks Darcy for your line about " my house isn't a landfill." I'll repeat during my daily purge.
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Post by twistedscissors on Aug 13, 2015 13:58:55 GMT
Tupperware has a lifetime warranty. Find a consultant and see if you can trade for new stuff. I just had a lid to crack on the old Tupperware lunchbox and got a new bowl to replace it.
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Post by librarylady on Aug 13, 2015 13:59:14 GMT
Old clothing and those socks: Does your community have a rag shop? They will use those worn clothes and socks to convert to rags for mfg. shops. Old electronics: Our county has a recycling center that takes electronics and they use the metal for recycling and make sure the dangerous parts don't go into our water supply. Plastic things: Goodwill might take them, or the lower level thrift stores. Lunchboxes: Thrift store. (I am using a little personal size insulated lunch box with a stranger's name on it.) Some of us don't care about the name business.
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Post by knit.pea on Aug 13, 2015 14:01:22 GMT
The Sharpie may come off with vegetable oil on a paper towel. It worked, with a little scrubbing, on my Rubbermaid lids that had been in the freezer. Worth a try.
For the Tupperware, I'd do a Curb Alert "Free"(with just your street name) on Craigslist and set them out in a couple Ziplock bags at the end of your driveway.
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Post by mrssmith on Aug 13, 2015 14:13:27 GMT
Definitely don't throw electronics in the trash. Best Buy has a recycling program if you can't find one in your city/county. Tupperware (like real Tupperware, not Gladware) cannot always be put in your curbside recycling. Check to see if it has the plastic number on it. Our city takes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 7. Tupperware has a recycling program as well. Here's a place that recycles socks. Anyway, just google "recycle [item]" and you'll see what can and can't be recycled. I personally would not give mismatched Tupperware and used socks/clothes with stains to Goodwill. ETA: a "curb alert" is good idea as well. Maybe people need containers for a painting project or something.
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LeaP
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,939
Location: Los Angeles, CA where 405 meets 101
Jun 26, 2014 23:17:22 GMT
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Post by LeaP on Aug 13, 2015 14:17:45 GMT
Best Buy recycles dead electronics. The rest has been covered above. Old towels and blankets are welcome at animal rescue shelters. If you have those small hotel shampoos battered women's shelters need them.
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caangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,674
Location: So Cal
Jun 26, 2014 16:42:12 GMT
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Post by caangel on Aug 13, 2015 14:24:03 GMT
Our city recycling takes almost everything so all plastic and clothing I would put in there. We have an Ewaste disposal center for electronics. I would donate the lunchboxes after covering DD's name in sharpie if you can't remove it.
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Post by mikklynn on Aug 13, 2015 14:25:36 GMT
Also, not everything goes into a landfill. Many cities have Waste to Energy programs with a power plant partially fueled by burning trash.
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Post by micpea on Aug 13, 2015 14:39:34 GMT
clothing: try posting on local facebook pages, lots of shelters will take them or mechanics for rags
electronics: our Best Buy has recycling bins as you enter the store.
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Post by kryssy on Aug 13, 2015 14:39:40 GMT
Oh, I need something like this: Where Do I Chuck This?...only for where I live, not Chittendon County, VT. I'll keep googling.
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georgiapea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,846
Jun 27, 2014 18:02:10 GMT
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Post by georgiapea on Aug 13, 2015 15:37:28 GMT
I'm going to be doing a major purge next month (when I happily retire) and won't know what to do with some things either. When we lived in Roswell, NM I had this great place to put things that I so miss. There was a raised brick planter in one of the strip malls and I would drive by and deposit my unwanted item there. When I'd return from shopping, I'd go by and whatever I'd left there would always be gone.
Where I am now we have a Salvation Army store and a mission store that feeds the indigent from donated proceeds. We used to have a re-sale shop that supported our animal shelter but it closed.
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breetheflea
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Posts: 6,379
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Jul 20, 2014 21:57:23 GMT
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Post by breetheflea on Aug 13, 2015 15:49:40 GMT
Goodwill doesn't take socks. They do make good rags...
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Post by originalvanillabean on Aug 13, 2015 15:51:14 GMT
I feel for you. As much as I hate to throw it away or donate, it's the better choice.
Here's why. 1) It's overwhelming to go through all this stuff and it's an accomplishment to just get through it 2) You are creating more work for yourself by separating more than just trash and donate 3) Time The time it takes to list it on freecycle (sits around your home until someone picks it up, (they may not), when you could have just hauled it away. Craigslist, similar issue - meet up with them, make sure you aren't alone, find a convenient time, etc.. Just donate or trash it and be done. If you think someone "might" use it, put it in the donate pile. They sort it there into what can sell.
This is supposed to make your life easier with less stuff, but you go into a tailspin trying to do the right thing because someone else might want it, a crafter might be able to re-purpose it, I paid good money for it, etc....
Ask me how I know
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Post by Linda on Aug 13, 2015 16:07:35 GMT
My DH hates to throw things out - similar to you. We've come up with a compromise. If there is a suitable place to recycle or donate locally - then we do so. Otherwise, the trash it is. for US - we can take plastics (1/2), cans, glass, and newspapers to a recycling drop-off; metal to a scrapyard (they pay); electronics to a local computer store; plastic bags to Walmart or Publix; egg cartons to Publix as far as recycling goes. Books - I trade in at a used store, donate to schools or Goodwill The lunchboxes and Tupperware and puzzles I would donate to Goodwill (label the puzzles as missing pieces) Puzzles or socks can also be offered up on Craigslist or Freecycle or FB for crafters - a Girl Scout troop might like them also - socks especially for a Happy Socks project ohappysock.blogspot.com/Clothes - Goodwill takes even poor condition for rags
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