Tired of holding up the checkout line behind you while you look for your store membership card? The type of card I am referring to are the reward cards for the grocery store, pet store, office supply store, etc. with the bar code on the back that provides you extra rewards as a frequent shopper. There are three quick and easy solutions to choose from so you never waste time again looking for a card.

1.  Gather all your store membership cards and put them in alphabetical order. Next, either put a rubber band around the cards or place them in a business card holder/case. When you are at the grocery store next time pull out the card you need, hold the card’s place until it is scanned by the cashier, then put it back in place.

2.  If you prefer you can have 6 store membership bar codes along with the membership numbers printed on one card. When you go to www.keyringthing.com you can print out a wallet card for free or you can have it made into a key ring card that is plastic. There is a charge for the key ring card ($4.95 as of May 2010) which is double-sided, full-color, credit card-size, 100% biodegradable; and earth-friendly plastic.

3.  If you have a smart phone you can download an application from the same company above to store your card numbers and bar codes in the application on your phone. Typically the cashier will need to use the handheld bar code scanner to scan your card instead of the larger built in scanner on the checkout counter. To learn about the application go to www.MyCardStar.com. The application is available for the iPhone, Blackberry, and Droid.

Happy card organizing!

As a Professional Organizer I work with clients to help them get rid of clutter so they can simplify their time and space. But while helping clients de-clutter, I encourage them to think green and donate or recycle when possible.

If you struggle with where to donate or recycle view the list below of places that take items such as batteries, computers, printers, cellular phones, TV’s, DVD and VHS players, cords, computer cables, Styrofoam chips, papers, clothing, hangers, household items etc. No matter where you live, this comprehensive list should be of assistance as many of the donation and recycling locations are nationwide. If a location is not nationwide, go to 1800recycling.com. On this site you can enter your zip code and type of item you would like to recycle or donate. A list will automatically propagate for recycling and donation locations that meet your item category and zip code.

If you have an item that is still in working or wearing condition, consider donating it to a local charity or use freecycle.org.  Freecycle.org is a site to give away items free of charge in your community to other individuals with no strings attached. Freecycle’s mission is to “build a worldwide gifting movement that reduces waste, saves precious resources and eases the burden on our landfills while enabling our members to benefit from the strength of a larger community.”

Batteries - Recycle

Books – Recycle or Donate

Cellular Telephones - Donate or Recycle

Clothing – Donate or Recycle

Dry Cleaning Bags (Plastic) – Recycle
  Your local dry cleaners

Electronic Items - Donate or Recycle

Eyeglasses & Sunglasses – Donate
  Pearle Vision
  Lens Crafers

Hangers (Clothing) - Donate or Recycle
  Dry Cleaners
  Churches
  Coat Rooms

Household Items – Donate or Recycle
  Good Will
  Salvation Army

Grocery Bags (pastic)
  Grocery Stores

Ink Cartridges - Recycle
  Staples
  Office Deprot

Papers – Recycle or Shred
  Paperretriever.com

Pet Items and more – Local Humane Society

Go green!

Whether you have electronic items that work or are in need of major repair, you can recycle or donate them. While some places refurbish the electronic items and resell them at low cost to needy individuals or organizations, others will recycle the parts. No matter what type of electronic item you have, there typically is a place to recycle it.

If you have any of the following items, consider recycling or donating them – computer, laptop, printer, fax machine, copier, PDA, cellular phone, keyboard, cords, cables, telephone, batteries (chargeable and non-chargeable). If you are not sure where to recycle in your area, go to 1800recycling.com.

Places that take electronic items:

Team Children - collected, repaired, and distributed over 9,000 low cost refurbished computers to families, schools and organizations.

Staples - Will take computers, monitors, and printers for $10 per item. If it is a Dell it is free

Office Depot – Fill the tech recycling box (Small $5, Medium $10, and Large $15 weight limit also) with as many acceptable electronic items. Acceptable items

Best Buy - Takes just about anything electronic, including TVs, DVD players, computer monitors, cell phones and more. You can bring in up to two items a day, per household, and most things are absolutely free. However, there is a $10 charge for TVs 32″ and under, CRTs, monitors and laptops — but they’ll give you a $10 Best Buy gift card to offset that cost.

All Bright Ideas – has a weeklong recycling event every two to three months. Takes just about any electronic item including batteries. They have a year round drop off for batteries (household and rechargeable but must be leak-free).

 Go green!

I recommend keeping an ongoing “give away” box or bag in your coat closet or garage. This way every time you come across something you don’t wear or want, you can toss it in the box or bag. Once it is full you can donate the items to someone in need or a charity.

If you are in search of place to donate clothing, you can go to 1800recycling.com to find locations in your area or consider some of these non-profit groups.

Dress for Success

The Perfect Fit (Lehigh Valley, PA)

Good Will

The Salvation Army

Local Churches

Illicks Mill Recycling Center (City of Bethlehem)

I wish you organizing success!

If you recently purchased a new cellular phone and are not sure what to do with old, consider saving your most recent “old phone.” Why? Because if you new cellular gets wet or stops working you typically can take the SIM card out of your new phone and put it in your old phone until you decide your next plan of action.

Once you decide that you no longer need an extra phone, consider donating or recycling your old cellular phone.

Where to Donate or Recycle Cellular Phones and PDA’s:

Staples
Accepts: Cellular phones and PDA’s free of charge.
Remove all personal information that is store in your devices.

Office Depot
Accepts: Cellular phones and PDA’s free of charge.
Remove all personal information that is store in your device.

Collectivegood.com
Accepts: Cellular phones, PDA’s and iPods free of charge.
Remove all personal information that is store in your device.

Cellphonesforsoliders.com The cell phones are sold to a company that recycles them. The money that they get for the phones is used to purchase calling cards that we send to our soldiers serving. Remove all personal information that is store in your device.

Happy donating!

Finding a place to recycle books may not be as easy as you think. But before you donate or recycle a book, be sure to quickly leaf through the pages to make sure an important document or money isn’t left behind.

If trying to locate a donation or recycling center for books, I would first recommend checking with your local library and school. If you still can’t find an acceptor of books, go to 1800recycling.com.

Theis/Cornfeld Recycling Center
635 Illick’s Mill Road
Bethlehem, PA
610-865-7082
Accepts: All books (hard & soft cover), magazines, catalogs, gift wrap, cards and shiny paper

Happy donating!