3 Things to Do with Old Stuff You No Longer Need

Whenever a new year rolls around, many people will be looking to start fresh by cleaning out, reorganizing, or even completely revamping their homes. But if yours is the sort of household that has accumulated a lot of junk over the past few years, then there's no need to wait for January before starting your decluttering effort. Whether you're dealing with clothes you no longer wear, retired appliances and electronics, books you've finished reading, old children's toys, or something else, there's no time like the present to clear out stuff you don't need anymore.

That said, you shouldn't just throw all your old things away, even if you no longer have any use for them, as simply dumping them in landfills will only harm the environment. It's worthwhile to instead look up more responsible ways to part with these items, such as by selling them, donating them to charity, or sending them off to be recycled. And given the recent global shift toward eco-friendly business practices and lifestyle choices, you'll now find an abundance of responsible enterprises and organizations that can help you with this goal—much more than you might have in the past. Here are three ways to responsibly get rid of things you no longer need:

Sell It Online

E-commerce has boomed all over the world in recent years, and its popularity doesn't look to be slowing down anytime soon. In the Philippines, where large chunks of the population spend significant amounts of time browsing the internet daily, it's no surprise that you'll now find all sorts of websites and apps where you can buy and sell online. Popular social media sites are also incorporating more e-commerce features to encourage buying and selling on their platforms.

Dedicated online marketplaces are probably the most popular choice for selling things online among Filipinos, and for good reason. These platforms come equipped with all sorts of helpful tools to facilitate hassle-free and efficient transactions for both buyers and sellers, such as direct messaging, configurable search engines, secure payment methods, and many more. And because so many people make online marketplaces their first stop for digital shopping, selling on one of these platforms will grant you access to a large and active customer base instantly.

When figuring out where to sell, it's best to look for a platform that's user-friendly, secure, and enjoys a good reputation. If you're looking to sell second hand furnitures, appliances, personal electronics, or other household and lifestyle items, for example, LookingFour is one of the best places to go. Though a relatively young platform, it has rapidly found favor with Filipino users due to its user-friendly interface, well-organized and highly searchable product catalog, and three-step verification process for sellers.

Give It Away to Family and Friends

If a lot of the items that you want to get rid of are still usable, and especially if they're still in good shape, you may want to pass them on to loved ones who might want or need them. That way, your old things can get a new lease on life, and you know for sure that they'll be going to people who will get a lot of use out of them.

After you've gone through your house and taken stock of all the things you need to get rid of, try separating out the items in good condition and inviting friends or family members to take their pick of the pile. This is an especially effective way to rehome old books, toys, clothes, shoes, and accessories. Some loved ones may even want to lay claim to larger items like furniture and electronics. As long as the items are clean and in good working order, they're definitely still fair game.

Donate It

Donating old stuff to charity or recycling organizations has long been a go-to way to get rid of things you don't need anymore, and these days there are more organizations and worthy causes to donate to than ever. For example, Goodwill Industries of the Philippines is a well-established nonprofit that accepts used items to resell in their many thrift stores nationwide and channels. Goodwill proceeds go toward funding employment training and job placement initiatives for Laguna-based persons with disabilities (PWDs). The organization is also a convenient choice for the wide range of items it accepts, which includes clothes, toys, bags, electronics, kitchenware, office supplies, and even cabinets.

For items that can no longer be reused or resold, looking up recycling drives and other similar projects is your best bet. These projects are usually mounted by companies as sustainability or corporate responsibility initiatives or by environment and sustainability-focused organizations. Sustainable fashion organizations like Wear Forward, for instance, include repurposing old clothes into other useful items among their regular efforts. Meanwhile, companies like Globe Telecom and SM Supermalls have launched drives for collecting and safely recycling old mobile phones, computer accessories, chargers, home appliances, and other kinds of electronic waste.

Though it may seem overwhelming at first, clearing out your home will be much easier once you figure out a solid plan of action. And at the end of the day, it won't be too difficult to turn your home decluttering spree into a fruitful opportunity to do good things for other people and for the planet as well.