Conscious Choice Seattle: Converting Your Junk into Worthy Donations

August 2004 | Living Green

Converting Your Junk into Worthy Donations

By Co-op America

Dear Co-op America, I just had a yard sale, and though I got rid of a lot of old things, I still have a ton left. Can you give me some responsible ways to unload my junk without sending it to a landfill? — Jill E., Waldo, WI

Being responsible about unloading your leftovers after the sale not only benefits the earth, but it can benefit nonprofit groups across the country too. These organizations will help get your items into hands that need them most:

* Electronics Industries Alliance Environment Consumer Education Initiative (www.eiae.org): The EIAE Web site lists hundreds of local and national organizations that will refurbish and donate your used electronics — including computers, stereo equipment, and televisions — to charities and nonprofits that can use them. The site also lists recyclers for ancient or broken equipment that is no longer useful.

* Excess Access (www.excessaccess.com): This online service matches business and household-item donations with the wish lists of nonprofits that can provide pick-ups.

* Goodwill (www.goodwill.org): Items you donate to Goodwill are sold in one of their 1,900 stores throughout the U.S. Eighty-five percent of the profits fund job-training programs for those in need. Check your local Yellow Pages or the Web site to find a Goodwill donation site and store near you.

* The Salvation Army (www.salvationarmyusa.org): Check your local Yellow Pages or the Web site to find a Salvation Army donation site or store to donate used household goods. One hundred percent of the store profits fund the Salvation Army’s substance abuse rehabilitation centers.

* Throwplace.com: You can list excess possessions on this site for donation to charities or to businesses and individuals for reuse, refurbishing, and recycling.

Buying a Green TV

Dear Co-op America, I was recently told that my broken 12-year-old television is irreparable. Can you give me advice on a green way to buy a TV? — Charles Courtney, Internet

Look for the Energy Star logo on any prospective television set. Energy Star is a program run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that flags electronic appliances that are more energy-efficient than standard models. Energy Star-qualified TVs use about 25 percent less energy than standard units. You can find the Energy Star on everything from standard TVs to HD-ready TVs to flat-screen plasma TVs. For more information, visit www.energystar.gov.

When it comes to getting rid of your old TV, be sure to recycle it. Find hundreds of electronics recyclers at the EIAE Web site, www.eiae.org.

Living Green is brought to you by Co-op America, a national nonprofit that provides green living, purchasing, and investing tips and resources. To join Co-op America and get a free copy of the National Green Pages™ directory of green businesses, call 800-58-GREEN, www.coopamerica.org.

Recommend this page to a friend

Top Ten pages recommended to friends: