Earth Day is a time to celebrate our planet and recommit to responsible consumption. But what about all those items lurking in your closet or drawers that you no longer need?  During our recent “Closet-athon” participants came across a few items they were not sure how to donate. In a world where sustainability and social responsibility are becoming increasingly important, we all want to do what we can. While we often think of donating clothes and household items, these things can also find new life through donation.

1 - Fur Coats or Stoles:

For Animals: Many animal shelters and wildlife rehabilitation centers accept fur coats to provide warmth and comfort to injured or orphaned animals. Call beforehand to confirm if they will.

For People: PETA accepts fur donations to keep people around the world warm and they provide a tax receipt as well.

2 - Eyeglasses:

Lions Clubs: collect used eyeglasses and distribute them to people in need worldwide. You can find a location here.

Mom’s Organic Markets: Accepts eyeglasses and so much more! 👓They always take cell phones & tablets with their chargers, alkaline batteries, shoes in any condition, natural cork, and compost.  Seasonally they also collect holiday lights and denim for reuse and recycling.

3 - Contact Lenses:  Donate Contacts accepts unexpired contact lenses, new solution, and lens cases to redistribute to the needy.

4 - Wire Hangers: Local dry cleaners will often take them back and many scrap metal recyclers will accept them since most are made of steel.  Check with your local recycling center first.

5 - Plastic Hangers:  Since Goodwill and other national thrift stores won’t accept most hangers they are hard to recycle.  Try donating them to a local charity, school, daycare, shelter, nursing home, or hospital. Or offer them up on your neighborhood listserve or Buy Nothing group.

By choosing to donate your unwanted items, you're not just decluttering your space, you're contributing to a more sustainable future.  So this Earth Day, open your closets, gather these unneeded things, and find them a new home through donation.  Remember, every reused item is one less item piling up in a landfill.  Happy Earth Day and happy donating! 🌎📦

PS: Clothes & Textiles: H&M has a robust recycling program for clothes or textiles, by any brand and in any condition!  Take them to one of their stores found here and they will give you a coupon toward your next purchase as well.