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Click here to open printable SELF-HELP LIST
KNOW what you have and THINK before you buy.
It's as simple as that. Your
goal is to keep your life under control, not to overload
the landfills!
consider selling your working cast-offs
on the internet. so if you're not comfortable
with selling or donating electronically, let us do it for you!
Another suggestion: This web-based program allows people to swap their trash and treasures. When
you are weeding through your belongings, check out these charitable organizations (often specified as 'in-kind' donations)
- Books, Tapes, CDs, Videos, DVDs
Your local public or school library will probably be happy to take these donations,
if in good condition. (Home-burned/recorded material will not be accepted because of copyright issues). Text books,
especially older editions, are not usually accepted either; consider them for the paper recycle box, as well as tattered books
and paper video covers. Organizations such as Household Goods Recycling Ministry, the Salvation Army, Goodwill, and Building Materials Resource Center accept certain kinds of books and/or videos and DVDs as well.
Rosie's Place accepts children's books. GotBooks (a for-profit organization, but a portion of its proceeds go to non-profit organizations) accepts books, videos, CDs, DVDs,
and records. Back to top of list.
Reusable building materials are accepted by Building Materials Resource Center located in Roxbury. Habitat for Humanity accepts building materials - and volunteers, too! Also remember your local theater companies. Building sets
takes materials. The Boys & Girls Club of Worcester, Drama Program, is another place that accepts building material and hardware, as well as carpet scraps and latex paints and
painting supplies. Back to top of list.
- Bulk CDs and DVDs to Discard
Home-made and can't (or don't wish to) donate? No problem. Check out
Earth911 or GreenDisk for those bulk disposals. Consider a neighborhood or school
drive to collect in bulk. Back to top of list.
- Catalogues, Magazines, and Junk Mail
If you want to keep receiving these, fine ... just drop off your used magazines
at a doctor's office, school, or daycare (depending on the genre). Remember to remove your mailing label for the sake
of privacy! But ... if you don't want to receive these paper missives, CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION.
For unsolicited catalogues, most retailers have websites where you can find a customer service email address and simply request
the removal of your name/address from their mailing list. And,
by all means, STOP THAT JUNK MAIL! Check out DMAconsumers.org (Direct Marketing Association) to remove your name from junk mail lists (at a cost of $1 every 3 years - that's a penny a
day!). Back to top of list.
- Clothing, Shoes and Accessories
There are convenient dropboxes all over Massachusetts that accept clean,
usable clothing and shoes, including St. Vincent de Paul, Goodwill, and the Salvation Army. New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans, Big Brother Big Sister Foundation, Rosie's Place, among many others, also accept clothing. However, if it's not something
you would want your own neice / nephew / brother / sister / mother / father to wear, please consider it for your rag bag instead! Have you retired from that high-tech job? Moved on to a less formal career?
If you have good-quality business clothing that you no longer need, consider donating it to needy women and men who are
trying to break their way into the business scene. Dressing appropriately for an important interview can pave
the way for a path out of poverty. Groups such as A Suitable Image, SuitAbility, and Tailored for Success (in the Boston area) accept donations of business clothing and accessories. Many charitable organizations have special drives to collect cold-weather items; phone your local place of worship
for information. Out-of-style clothing or costumes, in good, clean condition, consider donating to your local school
drama club or theatre group. Back to top of list.
- Computer Equipment and Electronics
The Salvation Army accepts working computers, as do some Goodwill stores. Another good site is UsedComputer.com. Check it out. And MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) has a volunteer program as part of The Amara Project that refurbishes computers. A great Boston-based site for many recycled electronics is Gazelle.com. Used printer cartridges? Many schools collect
these and use the generated funds to help educate your children - call up your local school today. Also, Staples is a drop-off location for printer cartridges of any kind, and you will receive a $3 Staples coupon on a future purchase;
Staples is also expanding its electronics waste recycling program by accepting used computers and monitors, dropped off for
a $10 fee (see related newspaper article). For important information regarding computer recycling,
visit the Computer Take-Back campaign. Another good source of electronic recycling information is Computer Recycling USA. And Sony has partnered with Waste Management to recycle all Sony computer equipment for free - and other
brands for a small fee.... check out their recycling site to find a drop-off center/event near you. Back to top of list.
Local dry cleaners accept these. It also wouldn't hurt to check with your school's art teacher about upcoming
projects requiring metal hangers. Back to top of list.
- Kitchen/Cooking Supplies and Utensils
That set of dishes that you never use? Consider donating it. Household Goods Recycling Ministry, Big Brother Big Sister Foundation, Goodwill, and the Salvation Army accept many types of kitchen items in good condition. Back to top of list.
- Linens, Bedding, Pillows, Towels, and Comforters
Again, if it's not something you would want your own relative to sleep on / eat
off / bathe with, please consider it for your rag bag! Old sheets make fantastic painting drop cloths; ripped towels
are great dusting or car-polishing rags. Many shelters would be happy to receive clean linens and bedding, including
the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans. Consider Household Goods Recycling Ministry, Big Brother Big Sister Foundation, Goodwill, or the Salvation Army for your bedding donation. And for those towels beyond repair, consider
your local animal shelter! Abandoned dogs still need to be bathed. Back to top of list.
Clean, stain-free, and odor-free. Consider Household Goods Recycling Ministry. Back to top of list.
So you haven't played that trumpet since high school,
but it still looks good. Consider passing it on to a needy student or music department at your local school. The
Salvation Army also accepts some instruments.
Back to top of list.
Consider
posting a bulletin at your local skating arena, soccer field, or baseball diamond for those too-small skates, out-grown cleats,
or used-just-once catcher's mask. Some sports supply stores, such as Play It Again Sports also buy and sell used equipment.
The Salvation Army and Goodwill accept some sporting goods.
YES, IT IS REALLY TRASH !
- BFI (Now Allied Waste Services) For bulk pick-up.
Back to top of list.
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