Giving a Second Life to One-Time Use Items
We all have those odd items around the house that were intended for one person to exclusively use. The problem lies in getting rid of these items once their use has run its course. You could always have a garage sale, but sometimes that just doesn't fit our busy schedules well. One of the best ways to be green is to reuse these items (via reincarnation) or donate them to an organization who can ultimately give the item to someone who can truly use it.
- Cell Phone- We all have them laying around, and some of us (like me) have lots of them laying around! One thing a deactivated cell phone is good for is an emergency line. Once deactivated, although you cannot call your contacts on them, they still have 911 capability. You may consider keeping one in your car, along with a charger, in case of emergency (in case you don't have your latest phone). Once that is taken care of, there are several organizations you can send your old phone to, many of which offer postage paid shipping. One is Cell Phones for Soldiers, which recycles cell phones and uses the money to buy deployed soldiers phone cards to call home. Another is called The Wireless Foundation, which refurbished the old phone and then gives it to a domestic violence survivor.
- Magazine Subscriptions- Share them with your family and friends! When you are finished with them, give it to a friend with similar interests (such as Sports Illustrated, Entertainment Weekly, ect.), and tell them to pass it on when they are done! Do the same thing with your kids magazine subscriptions! Once the magazines are older, talk to your child's teacher, and see if they can use them to cut up for art projects (if applicable...don't use the Swimsuit Edition of SI for this!).
- Special Occasion Dress- Ladies, we all have a few of these, whether they are from weddings, or proms of years past (or your daughter's). RCHS and many surrounding schools participate in Prom Dress Swap, which helps area Junior and Senior girls get a prom dress and accessories for no charge. This annual event takes place every spring, before area schools have their respective proms. The contact for RCHS is Barb Janasek, and if you would like to contribute, email me at hayslumber@yahoo.com and I would be more than happy to put you in contact with them!
- Computers- Check with teachers to see if a family they know of is in need of a computer. Your local library may also know of families in need. Also check with families with young children, so they can play CD-ROM games specifically meant for that age group (since this age group has a higher probability of not being so nice to the good family computers!). Before giving any computer away, be sure that you wipe the hard drive (not literally!) of all of your old material, so your sensitive information doesn't end up in the wrong hands!
- Sneakers and Tennis Shoes- The Nike Corporation takes your old, worn sneakers in any condition, made by any manufacturer, and turns them into various playing surfaces placed in different areas of the country and world. Two places in Kansas that have benefited from this is KSU football field and Pratt HS track. Click here for more information from Nike. You can also donate your used running shoes in good condition to One World Running, which cleans the shoes, and ships them around the world to disadvantaged athletes.
- Eyeglasses- Many eye doctor's offices have a box for donation of old glasses to the Lion's Club. The Lions Club then takes the donations and gives them to needy people around the world.
- Prescription Drugs- Ok, I know it sounds odd, but I did some major research on this one before deciding to add it to the list. Aid for AIDS takes certain prescription medications and distributes them to needy patients in the US and around the world. Make sure any unused meds are not expired and follow the specific instructions they have for sending in the unused medications.
- Wine Corks- Attention all winos~ Save those corks! There a couple of different things you can do with them. You can take two corks and place them under the back of your laptop (placed on a table) to prop up the keyboard, to make typing easier. The other cool thing you can do is collect your corks for a while, find a frame (like an old picture frame), and place within the frame to create a cool and custom cork board! For additional craft ideas, click here!
- DVD's and CD's- Check with friends and family, especially about child age specific titles. If possible, set up a sharing program, similar to what I mentioned for magazines between family, friends, or anyone else that might be interested. If all else fails, CD Tradepost will buy many of your gently used CD's and DVD's. The closest one to us is in Salina in Galaxy Center (across from the mall), and the only time they won't buy it is if the disc is severely scratched, or they are overstocked on a particular title. You can also earn more credit if you use the money you get as a trade in towards new titles!
- Hearing Aids- Check with your Audiologist, but most of them know of places to donate, or are a site you can donate your used hearing aides. The Lions Club also takes hearing aid donations to give to needy folks. The Starkey Hearing Foundation also instructs people how to donate their old hearing devices.
- Hangers (wire and plastic)- Donate them to a local thrift shop, Goodwill, or The Salvation Army. Many of these places live off of donations, and although hangers may be cheap, its one less cost these organizations have if you donate old hangars to them!
- Sports Equipment- Check with Head Start, preschools, or local daycare providers to see if they can use any of your gently used sports equipment. For machines, see if any family/friends can use them!
