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Going Green: From Trash to Treasure
Make Space, Reduce Waste
By Ashlee Verba
If it takes an aluminum can between 200 and 500 years to disintegrate, imagine how long it takes a box full of old Sega Dreamcast games. In a world full of evolving trends and technological advancements, it”s easy to throw out the old as you bring in the new, but the environmental impact is not-so-easy to overcome. Before you can that gently used video game console to make way for the newest version, remember that when you throw things out with the trash, they ultimately sit in landfills which emit air pollution, pollute water sources and affect soil fertility. But there’s no need to stress! We’ve uncovered a few alternative solutions that will not only save you money and create space, but reduce waste and maybe even earn you a couple extra bucks.
The Barter System
It may sound like an antiquated tradition, but bartering is making a comeback, and Swaptree.com is right there to bring the trend into the 21st century. With thousands of items that people “have” and “want,” Swaptree matches you with other members to trade everything from books and movies to video games and music. To keep it fair, Swaptree will only match things that are comparable in price, and users must register a few items before being matched. It’s a great way to get rid of your son’s old Nintendo games or the Backstreet Boys CDs your daughter couldn’t live without–but now might as well be coasters.
Freecycle.org is another great option. Their mission is to keep perfectly good items out of landfills by helping you gift them to other freecyclers in your area–all for free and at your convenience. With no strings attached, you simply post an ad for items you’d like to give away, as well as for those you want. Freecycle is the perfect option for bigger things, like old furniture, because there”s no shipping involved–just person-to-person arrangements. Go to www.freecycle.org, type in your city and register for a free account to stop wasting and start posting.
If you want to skip the cyber middle man, have your own swap party. Choose what you want your theme to be (clothes or children’s toys, for example) and have your guests bring a certain amount of gently-used items to exchange. It is also wise to give a price range so everyone knows what to bring and expect to receive. This not only allows you to get together with friends, but to receive (somewhat) new things without leaving your home or spending a dime.
Too Many Toys
If you have children, you know what it’s like to sponsor the trends they fixate on. You also know it’s inevitable that they will eventually stop obsessing over G.I. Joe and Hannah Montana and move on to other things. So what’s Mom to do with all of Barbie’s clothes, accessories and cars? Children’s Orchard is a mom’s best friend. Located at 7035 W. Ann Rd. and 7501 W. Lake Mead Blvd. in Summerlin, Children’s Orchard is a store that buys and sells gently-used children’s toys, allowing you to finally get rid of the Barbie jeep you’ve been tripping over for months. Other such stores in Las Vegas include Kid to Kid (www.kidtokid.com) at 8450 W. Sahara Ave., and As They Grow (www.astheygrowlv.com), located at 2590 S. Decatur Blvd.
For Clothes That Clutter
We all have ‘em–the clothes we never wear but don’t necessarily want to just give away. (C’mon, those jeans cost 50 bucks!) Some of these clothes are perfect for places like Plato’s Closet (www.platoscloset.com), located at 5165 S. Fort Apache. Plato’s Closet’s sole mission is to trade your gently-used, name brand clothes for other almost-new clothes and accessories you actually want. The store runs a pretty tight ship; they’ll reject anything with a small stain or hole, but for clothes in good condition, they do compensate fairly in cash, store credit or an even exchange. The small catch is that they aim to sell trends, meaning clothes that have been in retail stores within the last year and a half, so that scrunchee from the 80s may just have to go in the “donate” box. But, if you have something you feel is retail-worthy, give it a try. You could walk away with some extra cash.
If Plato”s doesn”t want your vintage jacket, Buffalo Exchange might. Located at 4110 S. Maryland Pkwy., Buffalo Exchange doesn”t necessarily aim for the latest trends, just quality used clothes that are presentable enough to be resold. They also offer cash compensation. Who doesn”t love that?
Donating the Rest
After sifting through and trading the things you could, it really is best to simply donate the rest. Toys for Tots, Goodwill and The Red Cross are great avenues for this. To find locations near you, visit www.toysfortots.org (click “Toy Drop-Offs”), www.goodwill.com, or www.redcross.org.
With all these convenient options available, there really is no excuse for dumping that pile of old clothes and toys in the trash. Take the recycle, freecycle, swapping plunge! You’ll not only help yourself by creating space and eliminating clutter, you’ll help the environment too. More importantly, you can contribute to a “cycle” of kindness that allows others who may not normally be able to enjoy luxury items, clothing and necessities at affordable prices (if not for free).
Another place where you can donate children’s clothing, toys, books, unopened diapers, etc. is Peggy’s Attic. Thousands of foster families, as well as the Detention center and Child Haven depend on donations through Peggy’s Attic.