Unexpected Places To Donate Your Unwanted Things
Here at TLD Headquarters, it’s “move season”! So often, people struggle to get rid of last minute bits and bobs when they’re moving and end up throwing them into boxes labeled “junk” and bringing it all with them to their new place. PLEASE DON’T! Now is the time to purge and get rid of those unwanted items once and for all. Besides, what’s the good in paying to move it with you when it’s just going to clutter up your space anyways? For those of you in need of assistance, here are a bunch of places you may have never thought to donate your random unwanted things.
1. Extra linens, bedding, and cleaning supplies:
Donate to your local animal shelter. They’re always in need of linens and blankets to help stuff the beds they make for their critters. Cleaning supplies are also helpful to get rid of any messes our furry friends make.
2. Trophies:
Have some old softball trophies lying around from your kids like my parents do? Consider donating them to Awards Mall where they will reuse and recycle all parts of the trophy for you.
3. Prom/Wedding Dresses:
When it comes to any formal wear you no longer want, girls all over the country can benefit from receiving a dress for prom through the “Belle of the Ball” prom dress drive via Anton’s Cleaners, Jordan’s Furniture or Enterprise Bank. If you’re unsure of what to do with your wedding dress, check out this website for a bunch of organizations geared towards getting brides-to-be in their dream wedding dress.
4. Gently used lenses/frames:
Drop them off at your local Lenscrafters so they can be donated to people in need in third world countries. They participate in the OneSight program – “a family of charitable vision care programs dedicated to improving vision through outreach, research and education.”
5. Unwanted tools/building materials:
Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore is the perfect option to donate these items so they can be sold and provide profits towards the homes they build.
6. Freecycle:
Any item that you can drag as far as your curb is most of the work required for Freecycle. Simply download the app and fill out what you’re leaving on the curb for people to take for free. You’d be surprised how quickly items will disappear!
7. Office Supplies:
Any chance you’ve cleaned out your office and have found tons of office supplies? Consider donating them to your local public schools. Often times schools will receive a surplus of supplies during the beginning of the year, but that doesn’t mean they have enough to last through June! Pens, pencils, notebooks, paper and folders are a few of the items that can be donated.
8. Books/CDs/DVDS:
One great organization that we love to bring these items to is More Than Words. Their website states that they “empower youth who are in foster care, court-involved, homeless or out of school to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business.” Another resource is to check your local library. They can use the books to either add to their collection or sell to make some $$.
9. Electronics Recycling:
Step one: make sure all of the electronics you use have the proper cords.
Step two: dispose of the rest of them.
Unsure where to recycle your unwanted electronics? Check out your local dump/transfer station depending on what town you live in. Don’t have a local dump? Check out Replay’d in Boston. They’ll take your unwanted electronics and find the best way to recycle them for free.
10. Computers, tablets, cell phones, appliances:
Go to your local Best Buy to recycle these electronics that you may dig up while packing up your junk drawers.
11. Batteries, plastic bags, corks, plastic #5:
Check to see what your local Whole Foods accepts.
