Day 105 of #LiveWell2017

You may have heard that old saying, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Well, it’s true. Something you may not need or want anymore could make a big difference in someone else’s life. Whether we’re cleaning out our closets or pulling up old carpet, you’d be surprised how many ways getting rid of our stuff can help someone or something else.

One great way to use your discards is to hold a yard sale (or donate your stuff to a church or community yard sale) and then give the proceeds to a local charity. There are also the standard donation sites like Goodwill and The Salvation Army.

But there are other beneficial ways to get rid of your stuff, too. Take a look at these possibilities:

Books through Bars – collects and donates books to prisoners who request them.

Recycle an old bike for a kid in your community like they do at the Community Cycling Center in Portland. Would you rather see it get used in a developing country? Try bikesfortheworld.org.

Soda pop tabs can be collected to raise funds for Ronald McDonald House.

Donate professional women’s clothing to Dress for Success.

Freecycle is a large online community that shares items to give away for free, keeping stuff out of landfills. Join the movement here.

Rags, old sheets, and all kind of textiles can be recycled, keeping that stuff out of landfills.

All of your technotrash, like cell phones, inkjet cartridges, computers, and more can be recycled, keeping heavy metals and other cancer-causing agents out of the landfills and indirectly reducing communities exposure to cancer-causing chemicals. Check out http://www.recycleforbreastcancer.com/.

Every community has recycling and donation centers that serve nonprofit needs. Check your local social services resources and find one that fits your giving needs.

How do you use your stuff – trash or otherwise – to help a cause?