Spring is coming, so is spring cleaning. While it is important to make sure you and your family live in a clutter-free, happy house, it is also important to remember about our environment. It is a great idea to stop using straws and start using your own take away cup for coffee but it is also important to remember that there is always more we can do to reduce waste.
10 milion household items end up in landfill every year. 3 milion of these items could be of use for those in crisis according to Re-use Network.
I wrote this article as there are many people who do not realise that their waste and unwanted items, do not have to end up in your local recycling centre but can be re-used by other people.
- Freecycle - this is a great website to give away your unwanted items. You can post here everything from rubble to clothes & shoes. Posting is free of charge.
- Freegle - works exactly the same as Freecycle
- Preloved - you can sell your used furniture here
- Charity shops - you can arrange a pick up of your furniture items but you need to drop off everything else like: books, clothes, cutlery and crockery, CDs & DVDs
- Local library - books, also may accept CDs & DVDs
- Local school or nursery or hospital - painting and drawing materials, books, toys
- Refugee centre - they may need everything from furniture to maternity & baby wear, nappies, sanitary towels. To find your local service use this link: https://www.womensaid.org.uk/about-us/contact/faqs/
- Bra & underwear donation - if you have a bra that does not fit you anymore you can drop it off in Sevenoaks at this shop. Alternatively you can post your items to the Scottish charity Smalls for All who collect bras & underwear and ship it over to women & children in Africa.
- Prom dress donation - Charity called Prom Ally collects unwanted prom dresses and provides them to teenagers who cannot afford their prom dress. Alternatively you can contact your local high school - they should be able to assist with your donation.
- App Olio for food waste - if you have food sitting in your cupboard you can give it away to local shelter or post it on Olio app.
- Old towels, blankets & duvets - local animal shelters love these donations i.e. Last Chance Animal Rescue in Edenbridge
- blankets, sleeping bags, tinned food, small shampoo and soap bottles/bars, socks, clothing, sanitary products, nappies - homeless shelter or local food bank.
- wedding dress - Heavenly Gowns - this charity turns prom & wedding dresses into gowns for stillborn and miscarriage babies.
- The Red Box Project for Sevenoaks and Tonbridge - collects sanitary products to end period poverty, so if you have some unused pads and tampons lying around, pop them to your local box.
- Facebook marketplace, eBay, Gumtree - these are popular websites to either sell you items or give them away for free.
If you know of any more local places that should be included in this article, please let me know and I will be happy to add it here!
In the meantime I wish you happy spring clearing!
Stay passionate!
Commentaires