How to Get Rid of (Almost) Anything

A Complete Guide to Declutter Responsibly

The Donation Dilemma

Donation drop-off points are often seen as a quick and easy way to pawn off unwanted items, no matter their condition. This habit has left donation centers overwhelmed, unable to handle or resell all that is left at their doorsteps. So, while donating feels like we’re doing something good with our unwanted stuff, a colossal amount of these goods ends up in the landfill — with thrift stores selling only about 20% of donated clothing.

When + How to Donate

Items that are in good condition without holes, tears, rips, smells, or stains, are more likely to be resold. (If you wouldn’t buy it in the condition it’s in, likely no one else would.) It’s also important to check with your local donation center to confirm what items they accept. Even if you have an item that is in perfect condition and hasn’t been taken out of the box, like a beach umbrella for example, if they don’t accept this type of equipment, it will go straight to the landfill.

The Eco-Answer

If you can’t donate items, what are you supposed to do with them? There are dozens of more sustainable options out there, and finding the right place for your unwanted goods highly depends upon the type of item you’re trying to get rid of. A great catch-all place to start is your local Buy Nothing group or another online free marketplace such as Freecycle or Facebook Marketplace’s / Craigslist’s free listings section. For more specialized items or things that cannot be reused, such as old batteries, medicine, or bras, below is a complete list to help you ethically declutter your home.

HOME 

Appliances

If it still works, sell it, or give it away. Can’t be fixed? If it’s rechargeable or contains batteries, be sure to remove and recycle the battery through hazardous waste before throwing it away. Additionally, check with your municipality as many appliances are considered eWaste and cannot go into the landfill.

Bedding + Towels

Turn old bedding or towels into rags for cleaning your home or consider donating them (in one piece) to a local animal shelter.

Bits + Bobbles

Even for the most random odds and ends (think of a collection of twist ties, random nuts and bolts, and leftover packing peanuts), post on your local free marketplace to see if you have any takers.

Books + Magazines

Gently used books are often popular on Buy Nothing. They are also usually accepted by your local library or community center. You can also donate them to Operation Paperback or Access Books. Also, scan your neighborhood for a Little Free Library (or build one yourself) to share books with neighbors. Magazines are great for art projects and may also be taken by local schools, hospitals, or retirement homes.

CDs + DVDs

If your old CDs aren’t scratched, ask your local library if they accept CD or DVD donations or sell them to Decluttr. If the discs are scratched and are not accepted through your curbside recycling program, you can send them to GreenDisk for recycling.

Cleaning Products

For bottles of cleaning products you don’t use, put them up for grabs on Buy Nothing or donate them to a local community organization.

Electronics

If old electronics still work (or can be repaired), sell, give away, or donate them to a local school or nonprofit that could put them to good use. In many states, it is illegal to put electronics in the trash. If they’re beyond repair, recycle them through your municipality’s eWaste program or bring them to your local Best Buy. (They have one of the most extensive nationwide recycling programs for electronics, cords, chargers, earbuds, and some small appliances.)

Food | expired + uneaten

Search your zip code on Feeding America’s website to find your closest food bank where you can drop off uneaten food. Also, see Understanding Expiration Dates on page 194.

Furniture + Rugs

Furniture or rugs that have retained a high value can be resold on Charish. Otherwise, selling on Craigslist is always a solid option if you don’t want to give it away. Contact your local municipality for bulk curbside pickup if the rug or furniture is damaged beyond repair. (Before going this route, consider posting on a free marketplace. Sometimes people are willing to take on what seems like an impossible project.)

Lightbulbs

Working incandescent bulbs can be donated to a local animal rehabilitation center. (They use them in incubators). Some bulbs, such as fluorescents and CFLs, contain mercury and require specialty disposal. Broken holiday lights can be recycled through holidayleds.com/free-light-recycling.

Mattresses

Post old mattresses on Buy Nothing or ask friends and family if they’d like yours. Some donation centers will accept them if they’re free of rips or stains. If you’re ordering a new mattress, the delivery company will often take and recycle your old mattress for a small fee. However, it’s more sustainable to find it a new home if you can.

Pet Food + Accessories

If you have pet food or toys your furry friend isn’t into, put them on Buy Nothing or donate to a local animal shelter.

Paints

If you cannot get rid of opened paint cans through Buy Nothing, many nonprofits, school drama departments, or community theaters will accept them. Some cities and states also have drop-off locations for leftovers. 

Tools + Materials

Habitat for Humanity ReStores accepts working tools, building materials, appliances, and gently used large furniture. Or post for free online.

PERSONAL ITEMS

Clothing | general

For old clothing, handbags, socks, etc. that cannot be worn or repurposed, order a Take Back Bag at fordays.com or through Retold Recycling.

Clothing | bras + undies

Still got some lift? Donate bras in wearable condition to I Support the Girls, Free the Girls, or The Bra Recyclers. To support women in your community, check with your local women’s shelter to see if bra donations are accepted. Old undies and unwearable bras can be recycled through Knicky. (They’re recycled into insulation and carpet padding.)

Clothing | shoes

Send gently worn shoes to Soles4Souls or recycle any brand of unwearable shoes through Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe program.

Clothing | wedding dresses

Wedding dresses can be sold at your local consignment shop or online at several e-stores, including Once Wed, Poshmark, and Still White. If you’d prefer to donate, consider giving your dress to Brides Across America, Brides Against Breast Cancer, or Brides for a Cause.

Clothing | Winter Coats

Head to the One Warm Coat website and search by your zip code to find a local year-round donation site.

Cosmetics | makeup, nail polish + perfume

Empty containers can be recycled through Nordstrom’s BEAUTYCYCLE program. If they still have products in them, consider swapping with a friend or donating to a women’s shelter. Nail polish should never go down the drain or in the trash (and lipstick, too, because it can contain lead). It’s considered hazardous waste and needs to be tossed correctly.

Eyeglasses

Eyeglasses in good condition can find a new home when you donate them through ReSpectable.org

Medicine

Reuse a bag to gather expired or unused medication and check with your local pharmacy or the DEAs website to find your closest on-site drop box or mail-in program. (And don’t forget to scratch personal information off prescriptions before returning.)  

Sports, Exercise + Outdoor Equipment

Pass down children’s and adult sports equipment to other families on Buy Nothing or trade it in at Play It Again Sports. If you don’t have any takers for your old, working exercise equipment, consider donating to Fitness 4 Charity. Outdoor clothing and gear can be donated through Outdoor’s Gear Up, Give Back™ program. (They will even send you a free shipping label.) Or you can sell it online through outandbackoutdoor.com.

Toiletries

Travel-sized toiletries will be accepted by many homeless shelters. For larger toiletries, like full-sized shampoo bottles and lotion, put them up on Buy Nothing or another free online marketplace (even if they’ve been opened).

KIDS+ BABIES

Art Supplies

Offer your supplies on Buy Nothing or reach out to a local organization, such as a school, place of worship, or non-profit, to see if they can put them to use.

Baby Clothes & Gear

For gear and clothing that can still be used, consider selling, passing it down, putting it up for free on Buy Nothing, or donating to a local family shelter. Brand-new items can go to your local children’s hospital. Some breast pump manufacturers will take back used pumps to recycle them. To find a location to recycle your child’s expired car seat, visit recycleyourcarseat.org. Additionally, twice a year, Target will take back expired car seats and recycle them into carpet padding, buckets, etc.

Costumes

If you aren’t interested in reselling your child’s costume or passing it down to another family, you can send new or gently used costumes to Weendream, and they will distribute the costume to a child in need.

Diapers

Give unused diapers to another family or offer them up on your local Buy Nothing group. Local family shelters often accept unopened packages.

Instruments

You can give old instruments away online or try selling them through Reverb or Craigslist. If you’d prefer to donate them, try the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, a local community organization, or school.

Toys

Working toys are often snatched up quickly on Buy Nothing. Gently used toys can also be donated to a local family shelter or refugee families through Miry’s List.

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