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Downsizing Dilemmas – 4 Eco-Friendly Ways To Get Rid Of Unwanted Household Items

The joy of decluttering is oftentimes trumped by the realization of how many belongings your household has in the “giveaway” pile. Luckily, with the help of the internet and a bit of research, you can find plenty of ways to pass on your unwanted goods. Here are four ideas of how to do so in the most eco-friendly way possible:

1. Pass down your cookware to family

High-quality cookware sets can last a lifetime if they are properly cared for. So, rehoming sturdy kitchen items rather than throwing them in a landfill makes a lot of practical sense. If your donation pile includes good quality cookware that you no longer use, these can make wonderful gifts to pass down to your children, younger friends, family moving home for the first time, or anyone close to you who might be in need.

Cookware can be nostalgic, especially if it was a wedding gift or used for special family events. So, rather than letting go to waste, consider passing it down as an heirloom to someone who will really appreciate it!

2. Use local social media groups to sell, gift, or swap

There are so many different special interest social media groups and localized forums for residents of different suburbs, towns, or communities all around the world. When it comes to selling or donating home goods, these groups are phenomenal. Keeping it local means you can help your neighbors while reducing wasted time and money on gas and travel.

You can make a post offering your item for pickup, for sale, or even to get advice about other local solutions for rehoming your household goods. You may even be able to organize a swap of your unwanted household item for someone else’s! 

3. Contact your council about recycling

Council recycling programs are not always limited to plastic and paper products. They may include other types of recycling such as hard waste, metals, and other resources and materials. If some of your household items are too damaged to be re-used or rehomed, they may still have some life in them via recycling!

Research shows that although most Americans support recycling, less than 40% of people actually do it. People simply do not know (and are not hearing about) how to recycle. It doesn’t help that every different city or council has its own programs and policies which vary considerably. Changing this consuming system is not a fix you can do alone, but you can check in with your council to clear up what options are available to you. Then, be sure to pass this information on to the rest of your community.

4. Donate to support services

It may not immediately come to mind, but if your preloved homewares are in good, usable condition, and you haven’t got someone to give them to, there are probably quite a few local charities that may be interested in taking them off your hands. This can include:

  • Support services
  • Domestic violence, family or women’s shelters
  • Homeless shelters
  • Emergency shelters
  • Community help organizations
  • Thrift shops
  • Charitable faith-based organizations

Charitable organizations that support people in need rely on donations, and some may even offer to pick up the items from you.

All of the above options are much better for the environment than landfill. While it may not always be quick to get rid of unwanted homewares in a sustainable way, it is certainly worth the effort.

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