Trash

Rethink what you throw out

Did you know the average American throws away about 68 pounds of used clothing and rags each year?  That translates into 20 billion pounds of used clothing and textiles that are tossed into the landfills each year.  Some items, such as clothes and children's toys, often become unwanted before they wear out.

There are a number of ways to reduce the amount of trash that you send to the landfill, including donating usable items to nonprofits or simply reusing or repurposing them yourself.  Here's a list of some of the most common items that can be reused:

• Carpets and rugs
• Clothing and footwear
• Furniture
• Large and small appliances
• Pallets and wood containers
• Towels, sheets, and pillowcases

A win-win situation

Donating and reusing materials that otherwise would be thrown away not only keeps waste out of the landfill, but donations are often tax deductible and help raise money for good causes.  That's a win-win for everyone involved.  Here are a few ways that you can donate and reuse:

• Donate used items (in good, usable condition) to social service organizations, which give these items to those who cannot afford them.
• Participate in online reuse organizations such as Freecycle and Freesharing Networks
• Give reusable building materials to stores that specialize in selling used tiles, lighting, flooring, appliances, hardware, doors and more
• Exchange, borrow, and reuse informally between family, friends, and neighbors