Spring cleaning can be a huge project and leave a messy trail of things that you no longer have a use for. Before filling up trash bags and heading off the the curb on trash day or the local dump, check out some alternatives to adding more to the landfill.
Here are a few tips for cleaning out the clutter and still ending with zero-waste:
Take-Back Programs
Many services provide ways to trade in old cell phones and miscellaneous electronics so you can avoid contributing to e-waste.
Many services provide ways to trade in old cell phones and miscellaneous electronics so you can avoid contributing to e-waste.
Yard Sales
Join up with some of the neighbors, pick a nice sunny weekend and hold a yard/ garage sale. See your things adopted to a good home and make a bit of cash in the process.
Join up with some of the neighbors, pick a nice sunny weekend and hold a yard/ garage sale. See your things adopted to a good home and make a bit of cash in the process.
Donations
Salvation Army, Goodwill, or Freecycle (on line) all are great places to donate your stuff and assure that it goes to someone in need.
Clothing Swaps
Pile up all of the clothing articles, accessories and unopened sample cosmetics you’ve accumulated and pick a date to trade stuff with friends. You never know if last year’s trash will be somebody’s treasure. Serve up a side of spring by offering a spread of farm-fresh crudités veggies and dip to munch on.
Pile up all of the clothing articles, accessories and unopened sample cosmetics you’ve accumulated and pick a date to trade stuff with friends. You never know if last year’s trash will be somebody’s treasure. Serve up a side of spring by offering a spread of farm-fresh crudités veggies and dip to munch on.
Green Cleaning Products
Once you’ve cleared away the clutter, there are ways to dust and scrub without leaving waste behind. Replace paper towel with old, tattered t-shirts to clean off surfaces and windows. Use pantry items like vinegar and baking soda to create package-free all-purpose cleansers or seek out biodegradable plant-based cleaning products like Clorox’s Green Works cleaning wipes. When you’re done with them, you can toss them into the compost where they’ll biodegrade.
Once you’ve cleared away the clutter, there are ways to dust and scrub without leaving waste behind. Replace paper towel with old, tattered t-shirts to clean off surfaces and windows. Use pantry items like vinegar and baking soda to create package-free all-purpose cleansers or seek out biodegradable plant-based cleaning products like Clorox’s Green Works cleaning wipes. When you’re done with them, you can toss them into the compost where they’ll biodegrade.
