topic Re: Reduce, Reuse And Recycle Your Clutter in Beauty

Reduce, Reuse And Recycle Your Clutter

grammarqueen — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 19:11:57 GMT

3redheads started a great thread on not spending as much, and de-cluttering our lives for the New Year. As a tree-hugger and someone who likes to help other people, I get dismayed when folk talk about just pitching stuff in the trash! I want to open up ideas on how to pay it forward instead of just tossing good, usable things away.

1. Unused, unexpired beauty products can be donated to the homeless or a women's shelter. Houses of worship are great places to call to see how any products can get into the hand of ladies who really need them. I always end up with a bag of skin care samples I can't use that I put in the women's shelter bin at my church every few months.

2. Use those unwanted totes that you get with beauty GWP's as gift bags for birthdays, bridal & baby showers, etc.

3. We all know we can donate used books to your local library, but other places that love literary donations can be found if you go to this website: http://www.moneycrashers.com/where-donate-used-books/

Your suggestions are welcome!

Re: Reduce, Reuse And Recycle Your Clutter

HappyDaze — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 19:15:12 GMT

Every year I get a huge box of stuff together to bring to the local women's shelter, including the sample stuff you get with orders, like Sephora, etc. I was very disappointed this year to find the places I take my stuff to no longer will accept sample stuff. I wonder why? They are sealed and handy, or at least I thought so? Has anyone else experienced this?

Anyway, I like how you think!

Re: Reduce, Reuse And Recycle Your Clutter

HappyDaze — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 19:21:04 GMT

I wanted to add a suggestion that people donate old/used pet supplies too to the local shelters or rescues. Mine takes used pet beds, blankets, towels, toys, collars, harnesses, leashes, bowls, etc. The horse rescues take all horse items likes blankets, leads, saddles, etc. The horse rescues then also will donate some of the items like blankets to families that don't have proper shelter for their horses to at least try to keep them warm during the really cold winter days.

Re: Reduce, Reuse And Recycle Your Clutter

just bee — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 19:37:18 GMT

Here's another suggestion for books and magazines. Find out if your community has a literacy organization where volunteers teach others to read. Books and magazines can be used to teach the students, but the volunteers can also use the magazines to cut out pictures and paste them into books, then use them to teach those new to English learn the language.

Also contact your local hospitals, nursing homes, and senior centers. Reading materials are often accepted but clothes are, too. People will show up at the hospital where I work without clothes and need something to wear at discharge. The elderly who don't have family members visit them in nursing homes often don't have clothes, books or even toiletries.

Re: Reduce, Reuse And Recycle Your Clutter

spud188 — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 19:38:49 GMT

My dh took his clothes to the Chaplains office at the hospital where he worked as a RN,they used them for homeless men in the ER.

Re: Reduce, Reuse And Recycle Your Clutter

Snicks1 — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 19:41:58 GMT

Isn't there an organization that takes prescription eyeglasses? Can't think which one, but am trying to locate one as I have 3 pair to donate. TIA

Re: Reduce, Reuse And Recycle Your Clutter

maestra — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 19:45:50 GMT

On 1/3/2015 snickster said:
Isn't there an organization that takes prescription eyeglasses? Can't think which one, but am trying to locate one as I have 3 pair to donate. TIA

Contact your community's local Lions Club-they collect prescription glasses/sunglasses and case.

Re: Reduce, Reuse And Recycle Your Clutter

just bee — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 19:47:50 GMT

On 1/3/2015 snickster said:
Isn't there an organization that takes prescription eyeglasses? Can't think which one, but am trying to locate one as I have 3 pair to donate. TIA

The Lions Club. Costco and Sam's Club usually have drop boxes and I've noticed several optometrists' offices have them, too.

ETA:

Walmart will take them, too.

Re: Reduce, Reuse And Recycle Your Clutter

Snicks1 — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 19:49:10 GMT

Thanks, I couldn't remember if it was Lion's Club, Kiwani's or what. I will contact the Lion's Club.

Re: Reduce, Reuse And Recycle Your Clutter

just bee — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 19:56:58 GMT

Don't forget the workplace. Have an extra coffeemaker or calendar? Bring it to work. Extra dishes, mugs and silverware? Kitchen items? Many breakrooms can use basic household items.

Re: Reduce, Reuse And Recycle Your Clutter

lolakimono — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 19:59:45 GMT

Use your Altoids tins for beauty-

Re: Reduce, Reuse And Recycle Your Clutter

just bee — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 20:09:30 GMT

I'll cut up old cotton T-shirts into squares and use them to clean my spectacles. Then I toss them in the washer.

I'll use my holey cotton socks for cleaning dog barf out of the carpet, then toss them into the trash.

Re: Reduce, Reuse And Recycle Your Clutter

just bee — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 20:14:22 GMT

I really like those squarish plastic containers with the red lids at Costco. They sell their nuts and snacks in these and they make perfect storage containers for rice, lentils, split peas -- whatever!

Re: Reduce, Reuse And Recycle Your Clutter

circles — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 20:17:25 GMT

oddly some things we think no one would want.....I was giving a donation to a church....the lady comes to my place...I had two bags of candy and I off handedly asked if they would like it....and she said yes....the seniors love candy....

I was glad that I asked as I would have thrown them in the garbage....(they were fresh candy just not what I would have eaten...)

Re: Reduce, Reuse And Recycle Your Clutter

just bee — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 20:26:16 GMT

On 1/3/2015 circles said:
oddly some things we think no one would want.....I was giving a donation to a church....the lady comes to my place...I had two bags of candy and I off handedly asked if they would like it....and she said yes....the seniors love candy....

I was glad that I asked as I would have thrown them in the garbage....(they were fresh candy just not what I would have eaten...)

I always overbuy Halloween candy -- and I buy the full-size chocolate bars at Costco and Sam's. Too often I'd have to toss them after they'd sit in the pantry, past expiration. Now I bring all my Halloween chocolate to work. Ever see nurses when they're around chocolate? Two words: National Geographic.

Re: Reduce, Reuse And Recycle Your Clutter

grammarqueen — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 00:39:08 GMT

I don't know why I didn't think of this, but having gone through chemotherapy, reading material is always welcome to pass the time during sessions.

Re: Reduce, Reuse And Recycle Your Clutter

Sooner — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 00:50:25 GMT

Let me say something though: IF worrying about what to do with something is such a burden to you that you hang onto it thinking it might be useful for someone, it is no sin to pitch it out if that is the best you can do.

Do NOT let yourself live with clutter! Do what you can, but if you can't manage it, THROW IT OUT and don't worry about it!

Re: Reduce, Reuse And Recycle Your Clutter

imashopper — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 02:44:02 GMT

As a FACS teacher, let me just say that donations are always welcome. Things FACS teachers can almost always use include old dish cloths and dish towels, cooking utensils you no longer need (spatulas, wooden spoons, etc), leftover fabrics and spools of thread, the list is endless! For all other decluttering, I keep a bag in the corner of our front room and put things in it as I come across them, clothing, shoes, bags, ANYTHING! This way I always have a bag of donations ready when charities call.

Re: Reduce, Reuse And Recycle Your Clutter

Coffeebean33 — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 06:03:26 GMT

This is such a great thread!! Thanks to all for the suggestions. My niece is in elementary school and has a class pet who needs shredded paper for bedding. This is a great way to reuse paper as my local recycling facility doesn't accept shredded paper at this time.

Re: Reduce, Reuse And Recycle Your Clutter

minwife — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 06:13:26 GMT

Don't forget our VETERANS. I belong to DAR. We collect "comfort items" for area veterans. Toiletries, etc. Save the little samples of things in hotel/motels when traveling. New or lightly used winter coats, gloves, socks, knit hats, etc. Contact a Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) chapter in you area. Or take the items to a VA hospital, VA outpatient clinic or contact a veteran's service officer. Don't forget we have female vets, too! ??