How to Throw Out Stuff You Don’t Need

Once you decide to get rid of something, there are three ways to say goodbye: sell, donate, or dispose.

Don’t underestimate the things you can sell. No matter how used an appliance or furniture might be, someone is likely to be willing to buy it. Take it from my friend, who was able to sell a couch that was covered with pet stains for $60 on Facebook Marketplace.

But consider the time and energy it’d take to sell it. For instance, if you must dispose of your books, do not do what I did, which is carry more than 20 books on a 50-minute subway ride to a bookstore that forked over $12 for my efforts. Compared with other items, books are hard to sell, and you’re better off donating to your local library or organizations that accept used books. 

When you don’t have that much time, donating may be the way to go. If you want to donate to charitable organizations, make sure your items are clean, safe, and in good condition. And if you want to donate to your local community, consider groups like the Freecycle Network and the Buy Nothing Project, Kevin says.

Make sure you throw away things properly. Not everything should be tossed into the garbage. Earth911 has an extensive database that directs you to programs near you that collect household hazardous waste, and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Responsible Appliance Disposal program lists groups that will pick up and recycle refrigerated appliances such as freezers, fridges, and window AC units.