Don't just give your home a spring clean - give back to the community.
We've all heard the adage, 'One man's trash is another man's treasure' and undoubtedly it is true. However, when clutter gets the better of us (and it usually does), we tend to have tunnel vision, sending most of our unwanted stuff into landfill, and perhaps an odd bag or two to the local op shop.
However there are an enormous number of things that can be reused or, to coin a fashionably green phrase, '
repurposed' - that is, used in a manner that differs from its original purpose.
Animal shelters often need shredded paper and blankets/towels
Many offices, both commercial and home based, use a paper shredder to destroy confidential documents, but did you know that there is another way to reuse this waste, other than simply putting it out for recycling along with other paper and cardboard? Pet shops and animal shelters like the
RSPCA frequently run short of clean shredded paper for use in pens and enclosures and welcome donations, big or small.
In addition, animal shelters often need donations of old, clean
blankets and towels that can be used for bedding.
Donate magazines to schools, community & health organisations
Another item which frequently ends up in the recycle or rubbish bin - but did you know that your local kinder, primary school, hospital or community centre would probably love to have them for use in the waiting room or for art and craft projects?
Kindergartens will also welcome donations of clean empty
food cartons (eg. cereal boxes) for craft, plus
plastic containers (like Tupperware) and other lightweight
cooking items that can be used for a play kitchen.
Donate your preloved sports equipment
Are last season's footy boots or cricket pads still rattling around in your wardrobe? Why not donate them to a less privileged sporting team, who may be struggling to afford the proper gear?
Backed by high profile sporting names like the Essendon Football Club,
Boots for All is a charitable organisation based in Melbourne which accepts donations of second hand sports shoes and equipment and passes them on to adults and children in need. Donations can be dropped into purpose built collection bins located at a number of
suburban sports grounds and clubs,or you can simply give them a call.
If all else fails...and you still have things needing a home, but don't know where to send them, check out the
GIVIT list, in which local and national not-for-profit groups post their donation requests.
Check the GIVIT list for donation ideas
For bigger items that may not be easy to transport, such as furniture, give a charitable organisation like the
Salvos or
Vinnies a call - most are only too happy to arrange pick up of large serviceable household items.
So as you can see, there are many easy ways to be charitable, without breaking a sweat. Even die-hard horders (such as myself!) can see the benefit of decluttering when viewed from this perspective!
Know a great way to reuse or repurpose an everyday item? We'd love to you to tell us about it in the comments section below.
