Green and Declutter: Freecycle

Every spring, I go through a bit of a cleaning rampage, and this year is no different. Last year, I had a yard sale to get rid of a ton of crap (where does it all come from???), and although I don’t have as much this year, I do have some items that are still in decent condition but that I don’t use anymore.

And to those items, I bid a fond farewell.

This is a really important step in your home office because a clutter workspace can really decrease productivity.

But what to do with that old printer and unneeded shelving? When repurposing doesn’t work, don’t fill up the landfills by throwing it in a dumpster. Find someone who can use the item: Freecylce.

Freecycle is a website I scan every single day. You find your local chapter and sign up for their yahoo group. When someone in the area has something they don’t want, they offer it up for grabs and the first person to respond comes and hauls it away. I’ve gotten a scanner, a box of books, a bag full of clothing, and (my best find) a dresser. I’ve also given away tons of stuff – old printers, VHS movies, books I’ve read and didn’t want anymore, decorative items I never used, cooking equipment that was collecting dust…the list goes on and on. Its a give and take system.

Throwing something away is never good if someone else can use it. Freecycle connects you with those people, often people in your neighborhood who are down on their luck and need that helping hand. This spring, take the time to declutter your office – and then give away anything you don’t need anymore on Freecycle.