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I thought it would be fun for people to list how they get rid of things (i.e. what organizations you call, places you go to get rid of things, methods, etc. --- legal of course!)
I'll start this thread of with my number one way of getting rid of things that can't be donated. I live on kind of a busy street. Fortunately my house is back from the street and has a long driveway so I don't have to hear or deal with the traffic. On sunny days with no rain predicted, I often put the items down by the curb with a 'free' sign on it. I've done this with so many things and it works! People don't feel shy stopping -- probably because you can't see the house from the road. Sometimes my husband thinks I am crazy and thinks we'll end up having to cart the item back but it never fails!! In our town we have to put a $5 sticker on an item if it can't fit in trash bag. So I figure if it doesn't go by trash day I'll just get a bulk sticker and toss it out.
Key to this working:
1) Good amount of traffic by your driveway
2) No rain (once an item is rained on no one will pick it up)
3) Put 'Free' on it or people less likely to take it
4) Don't put too many items out at once or the neighbors may get mad!
I've been taking old magazines, records, and books to work to give to my workmates.
Clothes go to the Salvation Army.
I like your idea..I've done it with an old tiller that didn't work anymore.
We have to pay for a sticker for over three bags..$1.50 each extra bag...but for large articles we call and they pick it up on our regular garbage day..but you have to call a week in advance. That pick up is free.
I have a box of old toys that my grandchildren are too old for now..so I will take them to work and see if anyone wants them. I have also taken heavy things but not too big and put them in the dumpster at work.
Local daycares are great places to take toys. Personally, i like taking my stuff to either Salvation Army, or Faith City Mission. I also like freecycle, and when i had a HUGE load [storage cleanout], a small group who helps challenged people set up their own housekeeping came and took it all!
But my FAVORITE way, would have to be--- straight to the dumpster! I get a little excercies too LOL
Starzz -- that reminds me I also take old magazines to my doctors and dentists office. Usually they have such old magazines anyways they welcome them! Most of mine are gardening and craft oriented that are not date/time sensitive anyways. I am just sure to remove the address label.
My mother brings magazines and books to a nursing home she visits so this is another option. I guess nursing homes also need sweatshirts, sweatsuits and pajamas that are in good condition. This is what they've told her. So many people in the nursing homes don't have anyone to bring them new things.
TamaraFaye I am with you on this one if we had the option! Here in the northeast it is getting harder and harder to throw things away as the landfills are filling up and most towns require bulk stickers. So this is why I've had to try the 'free' sign on things.
Question about freecycle and craigslist -- how do you deal with people coming to your home? I guess this is my fear of using one of these options.
The folks who come are really just interested in what you offered...after all, they didn't know your address when you originally posted the offer (you just mention the general area of town so people can decide whether they can make the trip) and you only give the address to the person you choose (there are usually several requests and you don't have to accept the first one). And you can have the item ready to go right at the front door so they don't get a "tour" of your house. If it's gardening equipment, I have it ready in the side yard just inside the gate. And in the group here (which has several thousand members) the rules are quite explicit for courtesy by takers...no "looking around" for anything extra.
In our city we have a eBay 'Drop Off' type store where you can sell items you no longer wish to use or store that are worth a minimum of $50. They do all the work of putting them on line for a percentage of what they sell for. The store here takes a 25% fee. If you are shy about trying your hand at eBay, it's a way to get rid of things and get some cash. Most of these drop off type stores also will credit charitable and non-profit organizations that are signed up with them for the amount of your proceeds if you choose. These stores are getting quite popular and can be found in many cities now.
Anyway, another way to get rid of the 'junk' you have that might be someone else's 'treasure'.
I use Freecylcle a lot. I love it when people back up here with trucks and haul my JUNK off for free! I can't believe some of this stuff they'll take! And it saves me from having to get a truck and go to the dump. Love it!!! Occasionally, they bring fresh veggies or a nice plant too. So that's a bonus. Then I feel like Tom Sawyer--having them pay me so they can do my work. LOL
I've gotten rid of a lot of stuff on ebay too. It's really easy you guys. 1000's and 1000's of people are doing it and you could too. If you can post an ad here to do some trading, you can do Ebay. You just fill in the blanks on the form and submit your ad. Having a paypal account helps too. Most people prefer to just zip the money right over thru paypal instead of having to go out and get a money order and mail it. I would advise that you do a search on ebay for whatever item you're wanting to sell and see what others are charging for it and how they are describing it.
There's also [HYPERLINK@www.ioffer.com.] You can list there for free and you only pay a small commission when your item sells. It's a little different from Ebay. You post your asking price and then folks can make offers. You have the right to accept or decline any offer. There is no bidding. So start your price high so you can negotiate. It's a great way to get into the auction scene without investing too much into it. Ioffer is a lot slower than Ebay though.
I give finished magazines to whoever I know. I wish more people would pass these along instead of trashing them. So far though no ones been real receptive, as in needing or wanting my cooking magazines? One neighbor (who I know loves cooking) kept one awhile and then put it back in the mailbox (had my address on it) and the P.O. delivered it again to me! Weird? Had a library in Bryan TX (WONDERFUL and only place I've seen this) they had a "FREE MATERIALS" table. You'd literally have people leave old books and magazines (some large collections from years ago!) but I'd pick stuff up and have a good read and then return it! It was fun!
Sometimes I just wish I KNEW someone who could use stuff I am getting rid of. I don't just wait til somethings broke or used up. I change out bedding now and again or upgrade kitchen pans. I left a microwave, 2 victorian style lamps and a pan set in the laundry room of an apartment we moved from. I went back in about an hour later and it was ALLLL gone! Made me feel good. Otherwise I donate to Goodwill (nice to have a tax exemption).
I manage a conglomeration of property, RV Park, 3 motels, and 36 trailer houses. (Believe me, these do not deserve the dignity of the name mobile home.) For many people, they start out in our cheapest, el dumpo rooms, and some of them gradually step up into the better level rooms, and eventually some even make it into a trailer house.
Many of these people are one step away from being homeless. In fact, we are on the list of many local charities who provide housing for the homeless, and they frequently call us. They pay the first weeks rent, to get the people off the street, hoping they get a start.
Unfortunately, many times when people leave, they take our towels, blankets, bedspreads etc with them. I know that some are moving into an apartment, and have no furnishings, so it's easy to take stuff. I also know that many are choosing to buy a bottle instead of a room for the night, I can't begrudge them the blanket, since I'm sure they are going to "tent city" an area where many homeless camp out. It does make it hard on the budget though to replace this stuff frequently.
May I suggest that you take a moment and check your area churches, and homeless shelters? Ask if they are helping someone transition from living on the street to living in a home of some sort. The bare basics, towels, blankets, a skillet you no longer use, etc. can make a world of difference to them. Yes, these items can be bought at Goodwill but if you have $1, are you going to buy a towel or soap to wash with?
I agree with Solitare. Our local Catholic Social Services sponsors various transition programs. They even employ people to fix broken items. They have drop off boxes and they also pick up items from residences, etc. I hate to throw anything that ends up in a landfill.
I agree with you alll...I guess i am an easy person to get along with :p...
I do sell on ebay the things that i pay alot for that i no longer need, that I just can't "GIVE" away yet...however if it dont sell on ebay then i do end up giving it and clothes, dishes,household items, toys to our local mission...If fact i love going to the mission...i find stuff there for no more then a buck...school uniforms, tupperware, pots, for me plants. and so much more...I just love the feeling of helping others, when the lady calls and tells me that what i gave went to someone that needed it...anyway i am rambleing now so i will stop typing, hehehee
Alamoaimee - Have you tried taking your magazines to nursing homes? Also I bet the senior centers would welcome the magazines too. I also bring to my doctors and dentists offices. Just remove your address label so you can't get them back! My library also has a table that you can take and leave things. I do the same thing, take a book or magazine, read it then return for someone else to take.
Solitare, Nebraska Jewel, and Red Princess thanks for reminding us all about people just barely making it and to seek out these out for our donations.
I live in a Southwest suburb of Cleveland (OH) in Cuyahoga county. I have "stuff guilt" so I literally cannot bring myself to throw away anything unless it is totally trashed and completely unusable by anyone, even then I will often offer it on freecyle just in case someone could find an alternative use for it. I hate the idea of putting any more in the landfill than what I must. I really wish I could bring myself to just pitch more - it would be a lot faster. It takes me longer to determine the proper method of disposal for an item (donation, ebay/resale, freecycle, recycle) and then to actually accomplish that. My dining room is filled with items that are awaiting proper disposal. Deciding to pass it on is easy, getting it done is my challenge.
Cuyahoga County recycling and waste management publishes a book every few years listing all the local charities, and the book is free, you just call and give your address to request it. The book is over 50 pages and lists hundreds of organizations, their address and phone number, what items they take, if they have pick up service, who they serve, etc. You can search the book by charity category or item you want to donate. All qualify as charitable organizations so the donations are tax deductible and most charities provide receipts. You may want to check with your county and see if they have a similar listing or would be interested in putting together a volunteer task force to make one. It saves the county big bucks in trash collection and landfill space. Of course, we don't pay extra to throw anything away - trash is picked up once a week, recycle and trash, and they take everything (couch, appliances that are not regulated, trees, metal, if it's on the curb they take it!). Also, our county and zoo have a paper recycling program. There are bins in multiple locations in each town and at the zoo. I save all my paper (magazines, househould scraps like grocery lists, old bills - shredded if sensitive, junk mail, catalogs, used coloring books, etc.) in a large diaper box. When it is full I put it in the back of the Jeep and drop it at the library on my next trip. The county not only saves money by reducing waste pick up and landfill requirements, but they earn money on the recycled paper from the company that takes it. The recycle bins at the zoo support the zoo and the ones around the community support our schools. All this in a town where recycling is completely optional, not required - no additional fees or fines for non-recycling or for any bulk or additional garbage pick up. We also have two local chapters of charities that will leave notices on the door about their regular pick-ups usually fall and spring - Vietnam Veterans and National Federation of the Blind both send trucks out twice a year and will pick up whatever you leave for them. They mostly look for clothing and small housewares, but one will take some larger items if you notify them. They leave a generic tax receipt after they pick up. I make it a point to find at least 5 items (usually clothing) for each pick-up just to move some clutter out of the house. Sometimes I do a big purge and they end up with several bags of stuff that I'm finally ready to pass on. I pass on out-grown toys and clothing to personal acquaintances with boys younger than my youngest. As soon as he outgrows it and I remove it from the drawer or closet it is bagged in a sweater bag (the cheapies from the dollar store) by size and given to the recipient for their child. My mother has been more than generous with clothing for both boys, and I can often give to several people and pass on the savings. Many of the clothes up to 2T were only worn a handful of times because of the sheer volume of clothing the boys had, and how quickly they grow or the season changed. No tax deduction for that - but it still feels good. Every little bit of savings helps when you're raising kids. If you don't have to buy clothes, save the money for college savings and "extras." Until they are in grade school, most children don't care what they wear as long as they are comfortable, and my mother provided very cute stuff often from Carters and Oshkosh outlets near her, so most of the clothing is good quality also.
I also have had no problems with freecycle, other than it taking a little longer for some people to pick-up or some pick-ups that have fallen through requiring reposting. I make sure people are not coming to the house if I'm out and the boys are with a babysitter. Other than that, I often leaves things on the porch for people to take if I'm not home, even if I am home they often just take what was offered and leave without wanting to disturb us. Some local social workers post for their clients on our sites - I help them when I can. I have also posted for random items for my sons' very small and financially strapped Montessori school, offering tax receipts for tax deductible donations and the freecycle community has been very generous in meeting our needs.
If anyone has any suggestions on how I could train myself to dispose of my disposable faster, I'm willing to learn to tricks.
There is also a site called FreeShare. It is rather like Freecycle except that you can sell thiings or swap for something you want or for a service. I used to always give my stuff to Goodwill, Salvation Army, Red Cross, etc. But I won't any more. I worked as a volunteer for one of these organization in Missisppi for a month after Katrina. It was my first experience as a volunteer but something I always wanted to do. I quickly found out that the government has them so closely regulated that there are a lot of things they are not allowed to do. None of the rules make sense and the victims have to go through unbelievable paper work to get help. From now on my belongings and time and effort and money will go to the churhes. I saw the Baptist, Lutherans, and Episcopal churches down there (I am sure there were others, we didn't get out much). The churches were wonderful. If a victim went in, they just ask for a name, where are you from, what can we do for you. They passed out food, clothing, gave medical treatment, transported people if they needed to go somewhere. It was wonderful! The other organizations do a great job but they are all bound by so many rules that more often than not I found myself telling victims, "We are not allowed to do that, or we can't do that since you don't have 3 pieces of ID on you. But there is a church group one block down from us - go there. They will take care of you." The churches were wonderful!!!
I never paid any attention to the address; it was one of those things I found by following one link after the other. When I went back to get the URL for you, I can see why you did not find! My email accepting me as a member gave several URL's I think this one will get you there. You don't have to give out any really personal information. They just want your name, email address and a few sentences about why you want to join. They send you a bunch of rules that sound strict but don't appear to be enforced. I know I have several things I am going to post on there. I
Try this and if doesn't work, please let me know. I know they are looking for more members and would be happy for you to join.
I've Freecycled things. I've sold books on Amazon. My work has a couple boxes where you can drop clothes, and the volunteers take them to homeless shelters. I brought in several bags when I was moving, including several old coats.
I take a bus from work sometimes that goes past the homeless shelters, and I swear that one of the men who got on the bus was wearing an old shirt of mine! It was a turquoise blue plaid. Can't be many like that.
my sister is a pack rat. she will take anything. she then has a garage sale. i give her tons of stuff. childrens clothes and toys i give to the school nurse. she gives them to people who need them. i hate to throw away perfectly good stuff, seems like a waste when i know someone out there needs whatever doohickey it is that i'm throwing away. how do you freecycle?
It is done on the Internet. You post things you have to offer and can request things you need. It is broken down by areas in the world. I am in a very small town in SC and figured that there would not be one here but there is. I am sure there would be one in your area. You find your area and request your area. They only ask for your email address and why you want to join. Maybe one or two other things but no real information. They recommend you set up an email account like hotmail or something free if you don't want anyone knowing your real one. Other than that, the forum is basically a posting place. It is up to you to make arrangements with the other party for pick-up or delivery of things. They empathize that you do ONLY what you feel safe doing. I actually found 4 that covered my area. One I don't use because it seems to be mostly people who keep asking for things over and over and I figure they are taking them to a flea market and selling them. There is also a FreeShare where you can buy and sell. I am going to post this hyperlink and then test it. Hope this takes you to the spot where you can find your group. If not - just google "Freecycle" That ought to get you to the right spot. There is no cost involved in signing up. [HYPERLINK@groups.yahoo.com]
