Getting rid of things you no longer want or need is sometimes confusing. A survey by the The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO-yes, that really is a thing) found that 54 percent of Americans are overwhelmed by their clutter. Of these, 78 percent let it build up because they don’t know what to do about it. Are you in the same boat with some of your stuff?
Here’s a list to guide you to the right places in hopes that your released items can do the most good in the world vs. sitting in a pile in your garage, or worse yet, in your day to day living space.
phone: (303) 442-2703
This is a major issue these days, since Thrift Stores won’t take these any longer and loads of them are just being thrown away in the landfill.Visit www.RecycleYourCarseat.org
Locally in Boulder, I’ve been told directly from a worker at Resource that AA and AAA Alkaline batteries can be thrown directly in the trash. They do NOT need to be recycled.However, rechargeable, car and most watch batteries should be brought to your local Hazardous Waste Facility. This facility also takes old paint, household cleaners, anything toxic that you would think would not be a good idea to throw in the trash. Check out their website for a full description of what they take and don’t.
Boulder County’s Hazardous Waste Facility
address: 1901 63rd Street
hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Wed-Sat. (MAKE A NOTE FOLKS!!!)
phone: 720-564-2251
BOOKS
Locally in Boulder, we have the wonderful Book Worm!
address: 3175 28th Street
phone: (303) 449-3765
hours: M-F 10-6, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5
This is a family run business since 1984!
Great folks and a wonderful selection of books. Bring in yours to see what they will accept, they do NOT offer cash payouts, only trade credit within their store. They do offer the option to donate what they don’t take and someone comes at the end of each day and picks them all up. So this literally can be the one and only place you need to take your books ever.
OLD CAMERAS
Take your old dusty camera clutter to Mike’s Camera in Boulder. They have folks on staff who sell them on eBay and they know how to sell them well which means more dollars for you (and them-yes, they take a cut).
address: 2500 Pearl St Boulder, CO 80302
hours: call, as they vary depending on the day
phone: (303) 443-1715
CLOTHING
Locally in Boulder, we have some great consignment shops:
Rags Consignment Women’s Clothing Only
address: 3129 28th St, Boulder, CO 80304
hours: 10-7pm except on Sundays close at 5pm
phone: (303) 440-5758
Common Threads Women’s Clothing Only
address: 2707 Spruce St, Boulder, CO 80302
hours: 10-6pm except on Sundays 12-4pm
phone: (303) 449-5431
Crossroads Men and Women’s Clothing Accepted
address: 545 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302
hours: 11-8pm except on Sundays 11-7pm
phone: (720) 565-5961
ELECTRONICS, WIRES, HARD TO RECYCLE ITEMS
This is a MUST to know about if you live in Boulder! Take a moment to check out both of their websites to see what you can unload from your home into theirs.Resource is committed to less and less building materials going into the landfills and ideally being recycled into great new projects.
CHaRM through Eco-Cycle focuses on sustainable recycling and does amazing things to help items going into landfills.
address: 6400 Arapahoe Rd.
phone: 303.419.5418
hours: Open Monday thru Saturday: 9am – 5pm
PRESCRIPTION EYEGLASSES
Locally, Pearl Vision on 30th has many missions where it takes these frames and glasses and fits folks who don’t have the means to go out and buy some.
address: 2795 Pearl St #100, Boulder, CO 80302
hours: call, as they vary so much
phone: (303) 444-1211
Got some excess furniture hanging around the garage, basement, shed waiting for that well intentioned yard sale (how many years has it been waiting)??? Perhaps it’s time for a change in your living room furniture? Think about trying to sell these items on consignment at the two great places we have in Boulder.
Clutter Consignment
address: 2500 30th St, Boulder, CO 80301
hours: 10-5pm except on Sundays 12-4pm
phone: (303) 386-3423
No Place Like Home
address: 3550 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80303
hours: 10-7pm except on Sundays 11-5pm
phone: (303) 440-9011
GIFT CARDS YOU’LL NEVER USE
Trade these in for cash (small fee will be taken out of your gift card amount) but turn a clutter item in your junk drawer into cash or another card that you WILL use!
EXPIRED MEDICATIONS, OR NOT USING ANY LONGER
Colorado now has a take-back program for all prescription drugs (Thanks Jim for letting me know!) One of the locations in Boulder is located:
Boulder County Sheriff’s Office
address: 5600 Flatiron Parkway St Boulder, CO 80301
hours: Mon-Fri 8-5pm
WEDDING DRESSES
Is it time? Can this memory now be served with the photos of your special day where you are inside the dress vs. the dusty vacuum sealed box? Perhaps set it free and let someone else create a beautiful memory with it?
To generate money from selling it, try:
To donate to a good cause:
AdornedInGrace.org
Raising awareness and funds for the prevention of human trafficking and support for its victims
BridesAcrossAmerica.com
they distribute the dresses to military brides and first responders across the country
I hope these resources will help you decrease your clutter load and allow you the sensation of lightness and openness in your home. Who knows, maybe you’ll even make some money! Less stuff means less to manage!
If I did not cover a specific category here, please give me a shout, as I have MANY MORE resources to share, I just didn’t want to overload you.
Please give me a call or get yourself into my calendar with my handy online scheduler if you feel like you need some support with this or any other organizing task in your home.
Thanks for the perky and handy little organizing tips! YOU are my little ray of spring sunshine!! Happy best season!!
love you monkey!
how’s life going along?
Good list!
Please, where can I consign housewares – like dishes, blankets, throw pillows, jewelry boxes, DVDs, etc.?
Hey Tammy,
Thanks for the question here.
I would recommend the following places in Boulder for your items.
Housewares: I would try Clutter on 30th Street first.
From Clutter’s Website:
While we would love to be able to take all of your treasures, we have learned over the years that there are some things that just DON’T sell. The following is a partial list of items that we do not consign at Clutter:
teacups/coffee cups and saucers
soup tureens
bed linens
drapes and drapery rods
vintage/antique painted china
large or small appliances
chargers
most vintage or antique cut glass….
If Clutter’s not interested then I would give Greenwood Wildlife Consignment a try over on Arapaho.
DVD’s -Bookworm will take some of your DVD’s for credit at their store
Bedding– Goodwill Thrift store on Baseline and Broadway.