Wednesday October 13, 2010, 1:34 am
Thanks for sharing Nancy.

Wednesday October 13, 2010, 1:44 am
this is truly a useful article. thank you Nancy.
(still, i was shocked reading "It’s estimated that the average American throws away 67.9 pounds of used clothing and rags each year"..)

Wednesday October 13, 2010, 6:50 am
Donating used things to charities is so much a part of my life that I don't even consider tossing them. WHY NOT DONATE?

Wednesday October 13, 2010, 10:07 am
AW THANKS FOR INFORMING US

Wednesday October 13, 2010, 10:35 am
Only can the good of children have food given to them and not tempted with advertisements

Wednesday October 13, 2010, 12:31 pm
I donate everything i don't want or need!

Wednesday October 13, 2010, 12:57 pm
Some good ideas and they are really great unless you live a distance from any place that will take these items. I do try and donate when and where I can, but when you live in a small town that isn't always possible. An unfortunately, I can't afford to drive 100 miles round trip to make these donations. Wish they would have more collection points and then let people know where they are located.

Wednesday October 13, 2010, 1:04 pm
Since Freecycle made it's debut in the area, we've thrown almost nothing away that can be used by someone else. If we don't Freecycle it, we give it to charity or recycle it. It's a much better way to do things in this world.

Wednesday October 13, 2010, 1:22 pm
I'm on both the giving and receiving end with this kind of donating; I relied upon all such items as charitable donations during the decades I was a single mom with nearly zip child support. I relied upon many such items when my Mom became elderly and fragile, suddenly needing mostly clothing that closed up the front and that she could fasten with her arthritic, stiffening hands. Now I rely on these donations because I am a recently-retired senior & my Social Security check [that the Tea Party gobsh*tes want to take away from me] is a pitiful small one with no COLAs in sight, and what other money I have must be rationed out only in tiny amounts & only when truly needed. I continue to donate to Savers, which benefits developmentally-challenged people, in my area. Savers has a special savings sale every Tuesday providing 40% off of EVERYTHING in the store for shoppers over 55 years of age. When I go to Savers for much-needed items e.g. jeans, trousers, socks and shoes - then it's my rule to take a donation with me to give to Savers. I also am beginning to learn about Freecyle; I'm well experienced with Craig's List. The only clothing items I buy new are undies. ;)

Wednesday October 13, 2010, 1:52 pm
I use the local freecycle.com on line!

Wednesday October 13, 2010, 1:59 pm
Except for food, which we never waste any, I have already been doing all of the other ones for very many years now!

We have a compost bin (warm composter: a Green Johanna) for biodegradable waste.

My parents, way back in the dark ages - i.e., the 1960s and 70s - donated old clothing and textiles, unwanted furniture, household items etc to various different charities in Stockholm. I have merely followed in their footsteps, and nearly three years ago I joined our local Freecycle group. There is really VERY little that cannot be given away on Freecycle! Anything that is easily saleable I donate to a local charity shop.

Wednesday October 13, 2010, 2:32 pm
our local animal shelter has a little re-sale store so we donate our clothing and stuff to them to help support the shelter.

Wednesday October 13, 2010, 3:04 pm
we always keep a donation bag in one of the upstairs closets....and immedately place soemthing there whether it's old cloths, household items; freebies etc.that we've received etc. The the bag is delivered to Goodwill every time we visit the old neighbourhood. It stays out of the landfill; employees people and assits those who may not be able to afford new items.

Wednesday October 13, 2010, 3:26 pm
Passing it forward was built into me. My Mother always quoted Lavoisier: +- In Nature nothing is wasted, everything is transformed. We helped so many w/ even the little we had, I feel proud and wealthy beyond comparison.

Wednesday October 13, 2010, 3:27 pm
We don't throw away anything that can be donated or recycled. The local Goodwill even accepts worn-out clothes for scrap.

Wednesday October 13, 2010, 3:53 pm
Reuse, recycle, re-purpose and re-gift are sacred words in my vocabulary.
I'm on a first name basis with the guys at the homeless shelter, and the donations guy at my local Goodwill Store. I'm getting older, and reducing the amount of stuff I own, as well.

Wednesday October 13, 2010, 3:58 pm
We've always donated our used goods to opportunity shops to help animals and people in need, and we also buy from their shops. Don't sell it on ebay, donate to charity and make a difference!

Wednesday October 13, 2010, 5:22 pm
Thanks Nancy. Great Post.

My friends and I do all the things you mentioned.i.e. Before we throw anything away we check with each other to see if we can use it.; if we can't, we donate it to a worthy cause. There is one problem with this system: we need to be careful when we visit so that we don't take "our own things" home again by mistake.

There is something else we do. Once each six months the Local Council has a clean up day when all residents can put stuff out in the street a few days before the due date. During that time you can scarcely walk along the footpath/pavement/sidewalk.One hour before the first van calls half that stuff has gone. e.g. I have scored two dining room settings, two beds, at least four computer chairs, five computer screens, two printers with ink, three sets of drawers, five suitcases/valises, and three bookcases. It's amazing what "good stuff" people throw away--including $50 notes! It is so bad that sometimes you can walk by stuff which has a notice on it to the effect "Leave this here the Council is making a special trip to collect it".

Wednesday October 13, 2010, 6:23 pm
I hate hearing about college students throwing out tons of useable stuff after the school year is over and they can't take the stuff with them- make it easier for them to donate!

Wednesday October 13, 2010, 6:43 pm
great info, thanks.

Wednesday October 13, 2010, 7:57 pm
I donate things on a regular basis and have done so for decades. I also donate my services and time by repairing jewellry and furniture, framing pictures, painting and walking dogs or caring for cats for people who are in hospital.

Wednesday October 13, 2010, 8:49 pm
Wonderful list. Thrift shops, shelters and numerous charities benefit so much from de-cluttering. It helps both the giver and the receiver. Thanks.

Wednesday October 13, 2010, 9:23 pm
The next time you contemplate throwing something away, try to remember that what you may find unusable, could benefit someone who has almost nothing.

Wednesday October 13, 2010, 10:29 pm
For years have not only donated but have been a customer of thrift stores. Often, when helping a friend "reorganize" I will offer to take their discards to the thrift store for them. So many, with so much, don't like to take the time or energy to donate.

Wednesday October 13, 2010, 10:30 pm
Really great article, Nancy---thanks

Thursday October 14, 2010, 12:23 am
Very Informative. Thank you for posting.

Thursday October 14, 2010, 2:37 am
Thanks for the news.
It really is very true that what we don't need is of great value to someone. Especially in these dire times.
Please let us all remember that there are many organizations where you can leave what you do not use anymore, and some even make it easy for you with special containers distributed all over town.

Thursday October 14, 2010, 5:34 am
Thanks.... I donate everything useable, and I buy all my clothes at a thrift store.... it's a win-win situation, recycling at its best, and saves me money

Thursday October 14, 2010, 8:55 am
In Glasgow, Scotland, the city known as the most giving city of the UK, the charity shops are full of these items, every supermarket has a food donation trolley for people and another for pets too. Catch up, rest of the world.

Thursday October 14, 2010, 9:03 am
Thank you for sharing. Heidi, I loved what you shared. Yes world, PLEASE catch up. Pets too? AWESOME

Thursday October 14, 2010, 9:08 am
noted

Thursday October 14, 2010, 10:31 am
Thank you!

Thursday October 14, 2010, 4:57 pm
I am a big believer in donating to charities and animal shelters.

Tuesday October 19, 2010, 4:19 am
Copied the list and will try to donate what I can to charities I trust.

Tuesday October 26, 2010, 1:57 pm
Just cleaned house and donated just about everything! Thanks