Sometimes it seems like my cardboard house is going to burst when it’s so full of things! Throughout the year, we let things gather and wait to throw them out, but don’t wait! Recycle and donate now! It’s easier to donate and recycle throughout the year than let it build into a giant pile of stuff! Donating is a great way to get rid of things and pass it on to others. Recycling gives your old belongings new life and keeps things green by re-purposing!

With a new month getting underway, I thought it’d be a good time to remind everyone to recycle and donate the old! Lots of people get busy and clean up only once a year, but it’s always the perfect time to go through your belongings and get rid of things.

With winter coming to a close, did you realize that your closet is overflowing with winter clothes you didn’t wear? It’s time to go through your closet and get donating and recycling!

Get moving, donating, and recycling! (Photo by: Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet)

For all of your old clothes that you no longer wear, send them off to a local Good Will. If your clothes are too ragged to donate, rip them up and reuse them as rags to clean around the house.

If you’re found that you’re really attached to certain clothes, upcycle it! Take your favorite old shirt and upcycle it into a reusable bag or maybe a cute throw pillow. There are lots of ways for you to recycle your cotton.

Just one example of the kinds of things you can create when you recycle your cotton! (Photo by: BeenaDee)

Here’s a trick to help you figure out what to donate and recycle. Hang all of your clothing facing the inside of the closet. As you wear something and wash it rehang it, flip the hanger to face the outside of the closet. At the end of a couple months, donate all of the clothing still facing the inside of the closet.

Once you’ve worked your way through your closet, start with the appliances. It seems as though everyone is upgrading to the latest eco-friendly energy efficient gadgets. Just remember to properly recycle your old appliances. For example, if you got a new phone, remember to recycle your old phone.

Take care of the environment by taking care of your e-waste by recycling. (Photo by: dmjarvey)

See if there are any recycling programs to help you get rid of your appliances properly. One of my favorites is e-cycle environmental which can pick up and recycle your appliances.

Make sure that your old appliances are not put to waste, but rather reused or recycled into something more. It’s a good idea to go through your belongings every couple of months to donate or recycle things. Live a greener life by having less waste.

Remember it’s better to donate and recycle your old belongings than let them sit and have no use. (Plus by donating and recycling now, you’re getting a jump on spring cleaning!)