Step 2 - REUSE

Now I ask myself "Do I really need this item to be brand new? Or, can I get it second-hand?"

What a great way to save the planet, and save money, in one easy step!

My favorite on-line sites for second-hand merchandise are Craigslist and eBay.

I also like Amazon.com for books. Most titles are available used. Just type in the title you are looking for and Amazon will tell you if a "used" copy is available, and then they list the "used" items, sorted by the lowest price. This is also an easy way to SELL the books you no longer want. 

Locally, you can also find great stuff at resale and consignment shops. I buy 90% of my clothes at the quarterly 1/2 off sale at Savers. This is a great way to get quality clothing at a fraction of the cost. In past years I have purchased like-new designer labels including Liz Claiborne, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Eddie Bauer, Gap, and Express. I have not paid over $15 for any item. Is this glamorous? No. But I thoroughly enjoy wearing expensive clothes that save me money (and save the planet, too).

Furniture is another popular item to buy second-hand. Right now I am sitting at a large, like-new, corner computer desk (with matching cupboard) that I found on Craig's List for 75% less than retail. 

OK, so you have purchased some (hopefully second-hand) item that you just could not live without (or perhaps it was given to you). Now what do you do with it when you no longer love it?

Please, Don't Throw It Away!

The landfill is full of stuff that someone else would have loved to get their hands on.

Sell It

If you are inclined to make a little cash, you can always try to sell your item on one of the on-line sites listed above. Craig's List is great for large items that a local person can come pick up. You will probably get more money for smaller items on Ebay, but will have to deal with shipping. Of course there's always the old stand-by, have a Yard Sale. Or, you can bring your items to a consignment shop.

Give It Away

I have a lovely network of family and friends who are perfectly comfortable saying to eachother "Hey, I was going to throw this out, do you want it?" The dining room table and hutch that my husband and I have been using for the past nine years was obtained FREE from my brother-in-law's co-worker.

For this type of networking to be most effective it is best never to act "too good to take your trash". For example, my step-father is the ultimate trash-picker who just cannot bear to pass by anything left along the side of the road that "someone might need". He has nine table fans hanging from the ceiling in his basement, and fifteen shade umbrellas in the yard. So when he asks me if I need another terrific ten-speed bike, I say, "Yes!" Then I take it home and sell it at the next yard-sale.

Can't find anyone in your network to take your stuff? Craig's List has a FREE section. And of course, there are many fine charitable organizations that would be happy to take your trash off your hands, such as the Salvation Army or Big Sisters. In RI, Big Sisters will even come and pick it up.

We could call this Mindful Disposal - thinkbefore you throw. I ask myself, "Could anyone use this item?" And if not, then "Can it be recycled?" Which brings us to...