READY TO START YOUR DECLUTTERING JOURNEY?
We understand that purging things can be difficult, especially when they’re tied up with emotions.
There are so many ways to declutter your unused items while doing good for humanity, the environment and even your own wallet.
Below is a helpful guide and some great resources we’ve gathered to make it as easy as possible for you to declutter without worry.
#decluttertodonate
We live in a world where almost any item we can dream of is available to us instantly. With the click of a button, we can have virtually any product waiting at our doorstep in a matter of hours.
This kind of convenience can lead to overabundance (not to mention the negative environmental effects concerning fast fashion and packaging waste) and contributes to a consumer-driven society where we often find ourselves drowning in material possessions. Once the purchase high wears off, we’re left with too many things and a growing anxiety on what to do with it all.
We love things just as much as the next person, but we also value the space these items take up. One of our primary goals is helping our clients recognize the objects that really matter to them and the ones they can say goodbye to. Your health and wellbeing are tied directly to your surroundings so ridding yourself of anything that doesn’t make you happy is our mission.
It’s important to regularly evaluate your belongings
and ask yourself: “Do I really need this?”
A seemingly simple question that doesn’t always have a simple answer. Like most people, we have far more questions that follow: Is this item worth anything? Would anyone actually want this and if so, how do I get it to them? Should I just toss it and move on?
To help you get some answers and provide resources on how you can dispose of clutter responsibly and sustainably, we’ve created a helpful guide with questions for you to consider on your decluttering journey. If you’d like some extra help, we’re only a phone call away…
RESELL
Selling items that no longer serve you is a great way to declutter and make some quick cash.
It is, however, important to keep in mind the effort required to do so. Selling items requires time, space and in some cases, fees so it's important to make sure you have all of these before going this route.
Can I sell this item?
Is selling this individual item worth the time, energy & expenses it takes to do so?
Do I have space to store these
items until sale day?
Is selling this item worth the time,
energy & expenses it takes to do so?
Yes
Selling Resources: Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, Poshmark, Mercari, Depop, ThredUP, consignment shops, yard sales
NO
TIP: Post multiple photos/angles of your item in a well lit environment and add a detailed description. Also make sure to include measurements if applicable.
GIFT, GIVE OR SWAP
Let your items live their best 2nd life by sending them to people who will love them all over again. Your “old” becomes someone else’s “new” helps keep usable goods circulating instead of collecting dust on a shelf or taking up space in a landfill
Can I gift this item to a friend?
Have something you know a friend or family member would love? Gifting something with meaning makes it that much more personal and everyone loves to hear, “this just made me think of you.”
Can I give this item away online?
In the case of having extra or unused items such as food, toiletries or clothes that no longer fit, you could very well be making someone’s day who is struggling financially.
Can I swap this item?
Swapping is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to reduce waste, contribute less to the increasing accumulation of toxic chemicals in the environment and upgrade your wardrobe without spending a dime. Swapping extends the life cycle of items and even better, saves money too!
TIP: Make sure this person will actually want this item. Just because you like something doesn’t mean someone else will appreciate it the same way you do. Is it even their style or taste? Giving things you don’t want anymore to loved ones can cause tension and an even bigger problem. Someone may take something they don’t want for fear of hurting your feelings and then they’re stuck with clutter and potential resentment.
Resources: Facebook Swap Groups, Local Swap Meets, Listia,
REPURPOSE
Repurposing an item is your chance to flex your creative muscle while helping to sustain the environment for future generations. There are countless items that can serve another purpose before ultimately being thrown away or recycled.
Can I give this item new life?
Will I create the time necessary to repurpose this item?
TIP: link to some of our favorite repurpose ideas / local artists who use repurposed materials. Google the item in question followed by Repurpose/DIY or check out Pinterest boards and get inspired to think outside the box.
Resources: Facebook Swap Groups, Local Swap Meets, Listia,
Resources
Book Smiles
BookSmiles is a 501(c)(3) non-profit helping irrigate book deserts by spreading book wealth within the Philadelphia area.
Cradles to Crayons
Without adequate and appropriate clothing, children face unfair barriers and participate in life on an unequal playing field. Across most of the United States, only three (food, housing, energy) of four basic needs are supported by government safety net programs. Cradles to Crayons uses the term “Clothing Insecurity” as part of our efforts to formally recognize the issue, and increase awareness on this hidden basic need.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
Habitat for Humanity ReStores are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers.
Homies Helping Homies
Homies Helping Homies (HHH) is a collective mutual aid initiative with the simple goal of improving the quality of life of the communities we serve in Point Breeze Philadelphia and beyond.
Purple Heart/Green Drop
GreenDrop is a for-profit company and registered professional fundraiser where required. They accept your donations on behalf of a local nonprofit, and pay nonprofit partners for your stuff, helping them fund programs in your community.
South Jersey Dream Center
South Jersey Dream Center is a non-profit who collects and distributes food, clothing, household, baby, and hygiene items
The Arc
The mission of The Arc of Camden County is to collaborate with and enrich the lives of individuals with disabilities and our community.
The Resource Exchange
The Resource Exchange provides inspiration and reclaimed materials for
creative and environmentally resourceful making, teaching & living.
Their nonprofit shop, gallery, and workshop space promotes creative reuse, recycling, and resource conservation by diverting valuable materials from the waste stream and redirecting them to artists, builders, educators, and the general public.