Get Rid of Your Stuff Without Throwing it Away

By Patricia Conte

Do you have good intentions of cleaning up the clutter in your home? Good for you! Before you make a mad dash for the trash, consider some better ways to discard of your things.

Ever hear the saying, “One person’s junk is another’s treasure?” It’s true! Seeing the same old things day in and day out, we may not realize that the items we’re set to purge still have life in them.

There are several ways to keep the clutter from getting tossed to the top of the landfill. Consider the following options:

Garage/Yard Sale – Who couldn’t use a little spare change in return for a few hours work on a Saturday morning? While the weather is still nice, gather up your goods that are ready to go, price your items and post the garage or yard sale sign on the corners (don’t forget to put one in front of your home, too). If you live in an apartment, see if you can host a sale in a common area for residents.

• Enlist the help of a friend – you don’t want to keep customers waiting.
• Don’t overprice your items, and keep in mind you’ll get folks who will want to bargain with you. Maintain a friendly manner and be open minded about prices.
• Keep your till stocked with small bills and coins for change.
• If you have kids, they might like to set up a lemonade stand for thirsty shoppers.
• Consider donating a portion of your proceeds to a local charity along with the things that didn’t sell. Also consider donating your items to a thrift store.

Consignment stores – A consignment store will take your items (usually clothing) that are in good condition, sell them and split the sale amount with you. Typically the store gets a higher percentage of the sale price.

Some consignment stores are specialized – there are some that sell wedding and prom dresses, business clothes, kids clothes, designer clothes, and furniture and household items. For best results, look for a store in a busy area that seems to get a lot of traffic.

Find out about the consignment store’s policies upfront:

• How long the store will keep your items on the sales floor
• What is the percentage split of the sale
• What happens to the items that don’t sell in the allotted time (usually the store will donate these items unless you want them back)

How have you embraced eco-practices when cleaning and purging your life of unneeded belongings? Share with us by commenting below, on Facebook, Twitter or shoot us an email at editorial@neerg.com. Remember neerg is a green community to share eco-friendly tips, suggestions and advice.

Patricia Conte is a freelance writer with more than 20 years of professional experience. Growing up surrounded by her parents, grandparents and extended family who emigrated to the US from Italy, Patricia shares their passion for cooking and for food. It should come as no surprise, therefore, that among the subject matter she writes about, food is a regular topic.

Patricia is enthusiastic about living an eco-friendly lifestyle, yoga and hiking, and is a life-long Cleveland Cavaliers fan.