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Spring Cleaning Tips: 7 Ways To Rethink Your 'Trash'

How To Get Rid Of Your Stuff And Not Kill The Planet
Bria John

The words spring and cleaning are practically attached at the hip. Whether you use the KonMari method or some other cleaning regimen, spring has sprung and it's time to give the house an airing out.

But once all the piles have been made, it's easy to just chuck it all in the dumpster. In fact, Canadians are so bad at the garbage game, that our trash has been piling up in landfills in the Philippines. According to the CBC, between 2004 and 2012, waste in the country was up 7 per cent. Why? Because convenience is king. With the influx of disposable goods in the market, from coffee pods to wet wipes, landfills end up being the resting home for all of it.

But with enough time and forethought, spring cleaning and the proper disposal of your trash/treasures don't have to be such a big deal.

So what to do with all the stuff you've decided you don't need? Check out some of our favourite tips:

Upcycle
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Before you trash or give away that t-shirt or sweater, consider making everything from cushions to tote bags with them first. Got a load of extra spaghetti jars and tin cans? Use them as planters or to organize your desk. Or consider adding a new coat of paint or some decals to a piece of tired furniture.
Recycle
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Old magazines can go out on the sidewalk, but there are more ways to recycle than just using the blue bin. Empty makeup containers, for example, can be recycled for brand new makeup at some stores. Electronics including computers (monitors, keyboards, etc),e-readers, and tablets can be recycled and reused by charity organizations or your local electronics store. Cellphones work the same way as well.
Sell
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This pile would include bigger ticket items that can put some money back in your pocket, for example, game consoles and furniture. Websites like Craigslist, Kijiji, Amazon and even Facebook make it easy to put things up for sale.There are even ways to make money off your broken electronics if you bring it back to certain stores. Or there's always the option to hold a classic springtime right of passage — the garage sale.
Trade
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Speaking of Facebook, online groups like BUNZ Trading Zone are gaining ground for people who want to do some old fashioned bartering of goods rather than selling. The benefit of trading is that while an item is still valuable, it might not generate great resale value.
Another trade opportunity is with electronics. Many electronics providers have trade-in programs to put towards an upgrade.
Regift
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Maybe there's a shirt in the back of your closet that you never wore, or a candle you never lit, or questionable crystal-ware you received from a distant relative — these could all be great as gifts for unsuspecting friends.
Donate
JGI/Jamie Grill via Getty Images
After exhausting all the above options there are just some things you know that you simply don't want and won't ever find a use for. But these things can still be useful to someone else. This pile can include toys, mismatched kitchenware, pots and pans, books, furniture, cellphones and other electronics. They can all be donated to the Salvation Army, settlement agencies, shelters, or local charities to name a few.

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