How To Get Rid Of Junk?

The best way to get rid of junk is to just throw it away, right? Not necessarily. While this may be the easiest way to clean out the shed, garage, attic or basement, there are methods that will take up a lot less space in the landfills and may even prove useful to someone else.

Some people are just pack rats. They seem to hang on to everything they ever owned, even when it doesn’t work anymore or is falling to pieces. For them, getting rid of junk might require a major change in life-long habit. These folks might have to adjust their attitude to the point where these old items don’t have value. It’s easier said than done.

For others, getting rid of junk involves finding someone who can use it and giving it away. Some people are able to sell their better-quality items for a small price at a yard sale, garage sale or local consignment sale. This involves a bit more planning than most people would like to think, however. Getting rid of unneeded and unwanted items through donation or sale means some organization and cleaning before the transfer of ownership can take place.

Different Stuff
Separate items into four or five major categories. If something is beyond repair decide if it is truly fit for the landfill or if parts can be used or recycled. In most cases you won’t be able to give these items away. If the item looks like a minor repair might make it usable again, put it in another pile.

Now we have at least two separate categories of junk that we want to get rid of. When you set your junk in separate piles you can also use such categories as electronics and small appliances, old clothing, metal and glass that might be recycled and so on.

As you make your decisions about where to get rid of junk, don’t put broken or badly stained items in the stack that might go to a charity or might be sold. Some places won’t take anything that is not in good condition. Buyers are reluctant to buy something that looks like it has been abused or is past its useful life.

Advertise
In addition to asking friends, neighbors and family members about places to donate, sell or dispose of your junk, you might want to invest in a classified ad in the local paper and on such online sites as craigslist. You can also find places to take bids on the items that have real value.

It may be tempting to just load up everything in a pickup truck and haul it to the landfill that will accept it. But you will find more restrictions on which items can be thrown “away” than there were just a few years ago. With a bit of extra effort you can save some space in the landfill, help someone in need or even make a few dollars with those things you call junk.

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