It can be hard to part with items in your home, even if you know they’re just taking up space because you’ll never use them. Whether the money you paid out when purchasing the item stops you from getting rid of it, or the guilt due to sentimental reasons, decluttering can be more difficult than you expect. It doesn’t have to be, however.
Some people consider the process easier if they donate everything. You may think that by giving your charity of choice many bags and boxes of unsorted discards you’re just being generous, but this can actually present a problem for some charities, who have to sift through a backroom of junk to find items that will actually sell. When you’re considering whether you should recycle or donate items, ask yourself the following helpful questions to assist you in making the right decision.
- What Condition is the Item In?
The number one question you should ask yourself concerns the condition of each particular item. You only want to donate clothing, electronics, housewares, and other goods that are in good or better condition. Many people treat donating to charity as a way to get rid of their junk, but one man’s trash is not always another man’s treasure.
- Is the Item Outdated?
This is especially true of electronic devices, since technology is always rapidly changing. Today’s media becomes yesterday’s very quickly. For example, many Goodwill and Salvation Army stores have scores of CDs and DVDs gaining dust, as people have moved on to digital media collections and streaming video. Luckily, many electronic items can be recycled by companies such as ABH Services.
Outdated clothing is less of a concern, as styles are always changing and what was “out” two years ago may be back “in” before you know it. As long as clothes are in good condition, with no obvious flaws as identified in step one, they can be donated.
- Are there pieces missing?
This question usually applies to sets of related items, such as a tea set or a board game. While it’s not always a deal-breaker if there is an item missing, usually with something like a game, if there are multiple missing pieces it’s best to throw the item in question away.
- Is it broken or functioning poorly?
Ask yourself this question for anything that is electronic or battery-operated. If the item is in need of repair, it’s usually best to throw it away. Most secondhand stores test electronic and battery-run devices before placing them on their shelves and will discard anything that doesn’t work. Again, these items can usually be recycled at no cost to you.
Once you’ve sorted through your discards and decided what to donate or recycle, it’s time to figure out exactly who will take the items off of your hands. In the case of the recycle pile, you can count on ABH Services for assistance. Give us a call today at 781-941-2422 to discuss your recycling needs and how we can help. For more information about the services we offer, including rolloff dumpster rental and junk cleanout service, visit our Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/abhservices.