Participate In Earth Day By Decluttering!
April is the month we observe Earth Day, but do you know what? Every day can be Earth Day when you maintain an organized home, by decluttering with eco-conscious intentions. How? It’s easier than you think.
Lucky for us, Edmonton is a city with so many landfill diversion options:
Curb-side recycling
Eco-stations
Reuse Centres
Donation and Community Centres
But, with so many choices, decluttering can seem daunting and paralyzing. Let me break it down for you, so you can see how manageable it really is.
1. Scratched CDs, Stationary/swag, Leftover Swatches, Gift Bags/Tissue Paper, Garment Bags, and More!
Say “Hello!” to Reuse Centres. They are run by the City of Edmonton and offer items free of charge to anyone who needs them. You would be SHOCKED to learn what all they take:
Arts & Craft supplies, including needle craft
Office and school Supplies
Home Decor
Some Metal, Wood, Plastic
Paper supplies
Packing Materials
Seasonal and Party Supplies
Click for a full list of items they accept.
I love that these items can be dropped off at your local Eco-station.
2. Toys, Linens, Furniture, Clothes & Accessories, Hangers, And Reusable bags
For items that aren’t accepted by Reuse Centres, donation to charities and organizations is your next step.
The City of Edmonton has a great resource for helping you find organizations nearby that will accept donation items. You can find it here. Be sure to check each organization’s website for what items they accept.
Thank goodness for Goodwill, which will take almost anything, like clothes hangers!
3. Media: Books, CDs, DVDs
Some City of Edmonton Libraries will accept DVDs and CDs as long as they are in their original packaging (i.e., not loose). They will also accept some books, but are more particular about which ones.
Check with your local library to see if they’ll accept your media.
Hot Tip
Download the app or head to the website here. Then, simply type in the name of your item to see where it goes: recycling bin, eco-station, or garbage.
Now that you know what goes where, grab some bags or boxes, designate them for each destination and start filling them up. Then, give yourself a deadline and drop them off at that time. You’ll feel great for helping yourself, others, and the planet!
