Spring is here, and you are probably in the process of spring cleaning. Spring cleaning doesn’t have to mean that you send everything to the landfill. A lot of household or storage items can be recycled or reused.

Before you throw something out, ask the question: Can this be recycled, reused, repaired, or donated? You will quickly realize that most items can be donated or reused in some way. Just because you don’t need something, doesn’t mean someone else doesn’t.

Clothes, books, kitchenware, sports gear, furniture, and working electronics can often be donated. It is important to give back to your community when you have things that other people may not have easy access to.

Something else to think about is your “someday” items. If you have an item that you think may become useful someday in the future, ask if someone else could get use from it right now. Often, our “someday” items never actually end up being used because they sit around for years or end up in the trash when the item becomes outdated. Many people are constantly looking through peer-to-peer marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp for items they need today. 

One thing to keep in mind when donating clothes and household items is where they will actually end up. Often when things get donated, they eventually just end up being shipped overseas and put in landfills. The best way to ensure that your stuff will actually be used is to give it to someone personally. This could be a family friend, family member, or a local community drop-off, where the items are distributed locally.

By rethinking what we throw away, spring cleaning can become less about getting rid of stuff and more about putting useful items back into circulation. A little extra effort can reduce waste, help others, and keep more material out of the landfill.

By Sean McCarthy