Earth Day is right around the corner, and it also coincides with all of those spring cleaning purges! As you clean out your home and closet for the season ahead, be sure to keep these eco-friendly practices top of mind to ensure that you're parting ways with used goods as sustainably as possible.
Post in your local Buy Nothing group.
Buy Nothing groups on Facebook make it easy to part ways with unwanted items while simultaneously supporting those within your local community. There are plenty of Buy Nothing groups for specific neighborhoods in the DMV; simply search for your area and request to join the appropriate one. Then, you can begin posting all kinds of items that you’re looking to discard, whether that’s clothing, housewares, furniture, toys, luggage, gardening supplies, you name it. Think of this setup as being similar to Facebook Marketplace, except everything’s free! Because there’s zero payment involved, items tend to move extremely quickly, which can be beneficial if you’re eager to part ways with, say, a large furniture item such as a dining table or sofa, but don’t want to transport it to a donation center all on your own.
Think about creative reuse.
It’s more environmentally sustainable to reuse items rather than recycling them, so before you plan to set something out for pickup, think about whether you can repurpose it in your home first. Remember that fresh upholstery can revive pieces of furniture that have great bones yet are starting to look a bit lackluster, for one. Paint also works wonders in transforming furniture in need of a little love. I’ve spray-painted many a furniture item on my driveway and have been thrilled with what some fresh color can do to a simple desk or nightstand.
Donate to the right places.
Remember that not all thrift stores will accept preloved textiles (though many will), but you don’t need to resort to throwing such items into the trash if this turns out to be the case at drop-off. Animal shelters, for example, are always in need of preloved sheets, blankets, and towels. Doing a bit of online research before getting in the car will ensure that your discarded goods are going to a location where they can actually be repurposed and appreciated.
Swap goods with friends.
With online resources such as Facebook Marketplace and Buy Nothing groups becoming so commonly used, it’s less often that we engage in a good old-fashioned clothing or accessory swap with friends. However, there’s no reason not to run your donation pile by your crew (and encourage them to do the same!) to see if they want anything you’re planning to part with. You can make this activity more festive by inviting a small group over for drinks and snacks, and encouraging everyone to bring at least 10 pieces from their closet that they no longer need. Then, let the try-ons begin!
About the Author
Sarah Lyon is a New York City-based freelance writer, originally from Bethesda, MD. She contributes to a number of national design and lifestyle publications like Architectural Digest, Apartment Therapy, MyDomaine, the Washington Post, and more. Sarah also works with designers to help them style spaces for photo shoots. Follow her on Instagram @sarahlyon9.
