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!

Whether you have household batteries (sizes AAA, AA, C, D or 9 volt) or a rechargeable battery it may be a little tricky finding a place in your community that recycles batteries. Since we know it can be a difficult challenge finding a recycling drop-off location for all types of batteries, we decided to become one. If you live in the Allentown, Bethlehem, or Easton area, also known as Lehigh Valley PA, your are welcome to drop off, during our normal business hours, batteries to be recycled. The batteries will then be provided to a recycling company.

Places to Recycle Batteries:

All Bright Ideas
217 Main Street
Emmaus, PA 18049
610.782.0636
Non-leaking, lead acid batteries: household batteries, batteries for cameras, laptops, cellular phones, PDA’s, car and lawn mowers.

Office Depot
Rechargeable batteries

Staples
Rechargeable batteries

http://www.1800recycling.com/
Find a battery drop-off location in your area

Happy recycling!

A label maker is the ultimate in organization. It is like putting icing on a cake, it is so sweet, at least for a person who has a passion for organization. When working with Kate Gosselin, of John & Kate Plus 8, Kate was thrilled when we introduced her to a label maker. Why wouldn’t Kate love a label maker, she loves to be organized.

We encourage all of our clients to make themselves replaceable and a label maker enables you to do just that. What I mean by making yourself replaceable is to set up systems so your household (or even your workplace) can function with or without you there. Once you get an area organized, label the shelves or containers. Then no one in your household will have the excuse that they couldn’t find something or didn’t know where to put something back in the right place. When you are out doing errands or exercising, you won’t be interrupted with, “Do you know where…” Then when you are at home, you’ll know that others in your household (the kids, babysitters, or significant others) can retrieve items AND put them back where they belong.

My very favorite label maker is the Brother P-Touch 2700 Label Maker that connects to a PC or Mac with a USB cable. The ability to connect to a computer allows you to put almost anything on your label such as a variety of fonts and font sizes, logos, shapes, multiple lines of text, UPS codes, etc. It is like having a blank canvas to be creative on.

Happy labeling!

If you have ever shopped for a major appliance like a refrigerator, dishwasher, stove, washer or dryer, you know how daunting the task can be. It is exhausting and confusing going from store to store.

To simplify your shopping experience, take along a digital camera. When you see an appliance that interests you, take two pictures - one of the entire appliance and a second close up picture of the sign with model number, features, and price. Follow these same steps as you continue to take pictures of other models you are interested in within the store. Before leaving the store snap a picture of the store’s name. When you visit the next store, repeat the same procedure.

Now you might be wondering why I said to take a picture of the store’s name before leaving it instead of when entering it. Allow me to explain. When you go to preview the pictures on your digital camera, the preview typically starts with the last picture taken. So as you scroll back through your photos you will see the name of the store, the sign with the model and name, and then a picture of the appliance.

Keep in mind you can zoom in on the photos with model numbers, features, and prices. This way when you are at the next appliance store, you can pull out your camera, preview the pictures of appliances you already looked at, and immediately compare prices.

Don’t limit this tip just to appliance shopping. You can do it for cars, prom dresses, cameras, and other electronic items. You can even email your friends to help you select your prom dress – be sure to take a picture of the dress with you in it!

Happy shopping!