Its Marie Kondos world now, and were all just trying to declutter in it.
(If youre still unfamiliar with the KonMari method, we wrote about the basicshere.)
If you reduce what you own in this order, your work will proceed with surprising ease.
But what do you do with all of the stuff that doesnt spark joy?
Heres how to donate, recycle and re-sell effectively.
First, if you have some name-brand items, you might be able to sell them on sites likePoshmarkorthredUP.
Buffalo Exchange and other consignment shops in your area are also an option for higher-end clothing.
you’re free to donate lightly used work clothing, accessories and shoes toyour local affiliate.
The Freecycle data pipe is composed of people around the world who meet up to swap belongings for free.
you might find alocal web connection here.
Remember: Clothes that are ripped, stained or otherwise damaged cannot be resold.
Similarly, donation centers arent trash cans for all of your soiled stuff.
The good news, though, is that you could recycle pretty much anything.
There are some suggestionshere on how to find an organization.
You could also repurpose old t-shirts and the like askitchen cloths or something similar.
Books/Papers
Paper, of course can be recycled.
Switch your bills and bank notifications to auto-pay and e-statements.
For more information on financial documents,check outthese posts.
Books are a bit trickier.
You have more options, for one, and can potentially make a few bucks back.
Try the websiteBookScouter.com: You input the books ISBN and it will compare buyback vendor options for you.
Operation Paperbackdonates books to troops overseas, and there are many organizations thatdonate books to prison libraries.
The easiest solution is to sell an Apple Watch or iPhone something-something to a friend or loved one.
Otherwise, you could try selling your unit to any number of places
even Apple itself
.
So far, 25 states have passed laws requiring people to recycle old electronics.
you might find a list of different organizations that canrecycle the products here.
Additionally, check with local schools or libraries to see if they accept tech donations.
Beyond tech, there are even more options.
Again, some retailers will give you adiscount or couponif you drop off certain items in-store to be recycled.
You may be able to donate oldtoolsto organizations like Habitat for Humanity.
Online communities on Facebook and the Freecycle data pipe may also be helpful.
If you want to recycle items, youll have to be more delicate.
Note: pans with nonstick coating are not always recyclable.
First, consider passing on items, particularly family heirlooms.
Finally, check with local archives and museums if you think you have sentimental items of value.
Heressome advice on whats considered historically valuable.
It takes time, but no one said sparking joy came easy.
