So much of what I encounter when working with people in their homes are collections of unwanted items. Are you wondering why anyone would have entire collections of unwanted things? Well, when I tell you the explanations, you may be able to relate. These assortments, while consisting of items no longer wanted or needed, include things that:
a- “are too good to through away”
b- “could still be used by someone”
c- “cost a lot of money”
d- “still work just fine”
Now that you’ve heard the explanations, can you understand (and possibly relate to) this common dilemma? Well, I know that I can.
This might surprise many readers, since some have the idea that a professional organizer is someone who is going to come into your home and make you throw everything away but, in general, professional organizers are quite concerned with conservation. We make it our business to help you find ways to save time, space and money in your environments. We start by assessing what is already at hand and making recommendations about how the items can be better used by you or passed on to someone who could use them right away. Organizers are a terrific resource for ways to re-use and recycle almost anything!
Here are five quick recommendations, both local and national, for recycling some of your common household items:
Prescription Eyeglasses – Do you have glasses that your kids have outgrown or the prescription is outdated? OneSight.org is an organization that provides eyeglasses to people all over the world who can’t afford them. Aside from your local Lion’s Club, here are some locations that will accept your eyeglass donations for One Sight: Target Optical, Pearle Vision, Sunglass Hut and Lens Crafters.
Sheets & Towels – Is your linen closet bursting with sheets and towels that have accumulated like geological layers from the periods of your family history? Pull out some of the more ragged sheets and threadbare towels and drive them over to the closest SPCA. They are always in need of clean linens and you get the bonus of petting a puppy or kitten for a while! (Toss your bags of shredded paper in the car before you go – it makes great kitty litter and they’re happy to take it.)
Cell Phones – Have you upgraded your cell phone or do you have older outdated ones cluttering up your junk drawers? Go to CellPhonesForSoldiers.com to find locations to drop them off. Donated cell phones are recycled and the money received from recycling is used to purchase calling cards and other communication tools for the U.S. military.
Electronics – Old computers? Cameras? Stereo Speakers? TVs? DVD or VCR players? Did you know that Best Buy will recycle your old techno-junk for FREE whether you bought it there or not. Their Geek Squad will even walk you through wiping your hard drive clean before you discard it.
Corks – Yep, that’s right, wine corks. If you’re someone who can’t bear to throw them away but don’t know what to do with them, Whole Foods offers a free wine cork recycling program.
So, look around and get started. Your corks, as well as your home, will breathe new life (long after the wine has taken its last breath).
* To contact Annette Reyman for organizing work, productivity support, gift certificates or speaking engagements in the Greater Philadelphia area call (610) 213-9559 or email her at annette@allrightorganizing.com.
Reyman is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO®) and Board Member of its Greater Philadelphia Chapter.
Visit her website at www.allrightorganizing.com or follow All Right Organizing on Facebook.
About Annette Reyman
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