Got lots of unwanted possessions in your home that you’d like to get rid of? There are more ways to dispose of these items than simply taking them to the dump. Here are just four different ways of getting rid of clutter and how you can get the best out of each.
Sell it
Some of your unwanted possessions may still be valuable and in good condition. Selling such items could allow you to make some money.
There are many different ways to sell clutter. A few popular options include:
- Auctions (for valuable and rare items)
- Flea markets
- Yard sales
- Second-hand stores
- Online marketplaces such as eBay, Amazon and Gumtree
- Online auctions
Each form of selling has its pros and cons. While a yard sale can be cheap and convenient, you may not be able to attract buyers for certain niche items as you would online or at a second hand store.
It’s worth trying different methods of selling items to maximize your chances of reaching a sale. Consider getting certain items professionally valued so that you know exactly what price to set them at – you don’t want to accidentally sell a precious antique for a couple dollars.
Donate it
Certain items may not be as valuable or in as great condition, but may still be of use to someone. Donating these items could be an option in such cases.
Items could simply be gifted to friends or family. Alternatively, you may know a local school or business that may benefit from them.
There’s also the option of donating to charities. Charity shops will accept any items that you want to donate and will then choose whether or not to sell them (the proceeds will then go to whatever charity is running the store). You could also donate items directly to places of charity such as food banks or orphanages.
Recycle it
Recycling items is ideal for items that are broken but may still have valuable parts. It allows these parts to be reused and repurposed in order to be turned into other products. It’s more eco-friendly than dumping items and in some cases you can even get money for recycling goods.
Recycling companies tend to specialize in a specific good or material such as e-waste or glass. Some companies may be able to collect your items, while others may prefer you to post your item.
If you’re a craftsman, you may be able to find creative ways of repurposing items yourself and then selling them. For instance, you can turn old wine bottle into candle holders and old vinyl records into ashtrays.
Chuck it
Most items can be sold, donated or recycled. However, for those items that are pure trash, hiring a skip may be your best option.
Chucking out items takes a lot less work than selling, donating or recycling, but is the least friendly option for the planet. Always consider other options first so that you can reduce your waste.
