Keep Your Spring Cleaning Out of the Landfill

donation box with clothes in it

As the weather warms up, many of us are opening our windows to let in the fresh air and opening our trash cans to let out items we no longer need. Before throwing things out, though, why not take a closer look at more responsible ways of getting rid of your clutter? 

Here are some tips for keeping your spring cleaning, whether at home or in the office, out of the landfill: 

Donate Items to Nonprofit Organizations

Many local organizations accept a wide range of donations. Do some research to find out who accepts what. If you have too much to bring to a dropoff location yourself, consider scheduling a pickup with an organization such as More Than Words (if you have more than eight boxes of books) or the Salvation Army. Don’t forget to wash any clothing you plan to donate! 

Find People in Your Community Who Need What You No Longer Want

Here on campus, you can use the Chuckslist Slack channel to give items away to other staff members. Off campus, there are great Facebook groups that connect people with donations to others who can use them. Try looking up Buy Nothing or Everything Free in your community. Some community mutual aid organizations also help connect you to folks in need. Finally, you might also try checking with your neighbors on the NextDoor app to see if anyone needs your stuff. 

Keep an Eye Out for Physical Donation Spaces in Your Area

Many neighborhoods have Little Free Library boxes for books and/or shelves set up to collect canned food and other household goods. Keep in mind that you can also donate nonperishable food to the food pantry in the Office of Student Success—just bring items to the office during regular business hours. (Please note that donations are paused until June 21.)

Recycle Properly

If you can’t find a new home for your item or if it’s not in good repair, you might be able to recycle it! Most of us know that we should recycle our cardboard, paper, bottles, and cans. But do you know what to do with torn clothing or a mattress? The best statewide resource for navigating the complicated world of recycling is the Department of Environmental Protection’s Recycle Smart tool. You can simply type the name of the item you want to get rid of into the Recyclopedia and receive detailed information about how to handle it! On campus, be sure to use e-waste recycling at the Help Desk, the battery recycling bins located throughout campus, and the textile recycling bin in Allen’s Alley. 

Jen Lamy (Office of Sustainability)