Information, tips, ideas A-Z…
Artwork Store 4-5 canvases together, in boxes or on racks, don’t use plastic to wrap; Hang from both sides. Leave empty spaces between pictures. The less pictures you hang the closer they should be. A big picture in a small space helps. Several small pics vertically give sense of height
Baby/ children clothes banks (local, check online first) Love North Southwark; Little Village; The Small Project
Batteries Store in two boxes labelled: old/recycle and okay
Books Can arrange for collection, usually free if boxed up; Scan barcodes or insert ISBN on websites to get a quote; Some places recycle the books they can’t sell; Make sure you know where and when the local collection is; Try local libraries, schools.
Boxes Donate used ones to local allotments for compost bins to lay beds over winter
Bras Post to www.againstbreastcancer.org.uk/recycling/bra-recycling
Candles Can be recycled (see online); Melt down the ends to make new ones
Clothes/ damaged clothes Recycle unwanted/old/stained clothes at participating stores; Textile recycling bank; Some clothes charities also take them to be recycled
Coins Banks; Valuations: check online
Clothes Mix one part vodka one part water to spray and purify clothes; Careful that lavender bags don’t touch clothes; Clothes cupboards need space; Avoid clothes clutter in corners
Computer Check online for local computer wipe/fix/donate sites
Craft If you can’t complete your craft project, find a volunteer from www.looseendsproject.org/
Disposal, local Clothes, shoes, accessories, electrical appliances, furniture, toys, books, IT, Kitchen, ben linen, pictures, cosmetics, garden can usually be disposed of locally, check facebook groups and other online sites
Duvets Dunelm; Animal rescue centres; BHF; Alpkit if down-filled
DVD Nursing homes; Schools for craft and collage projects
Electrical Look out for local drop off stations; Take to your recycling centre; Search online for organisations who can collect; Curry’s take back electricals to be recycled.
Food Olio: open the app, add photo/ description/ when and where the item is available for pick-up
Furniture IKEA has a buy back scheme; Upcycle it
Hangers Recycle; Charity shops; Dry cleaners
Kitchen items Turntables; Pot lid holders; Drawer dividers; Stackable storage
Lego Online options, you can weigh your Lego to get a quote; Share/sell on local community groups
Makeup and Toiletries Check on back of the packaging for a symbol stating how long it will last once opened; Try your local Tesco, Boots, Superdrug, John Lewis for make-up drop off recycling stations
Medicine Return to chemist for safe disposal (check first); Empty packs can be recycled at most Superdrug and Boots (check first); Medical things e.g. braces, medical appliances and other medical equipment: www.orthocycle.org
Memory boxes Are a good way of keeping track and in control of sentimental items
Moths Look online for products; Keep cupboards aired; Avoid clothes clutter in corners
Moving home, how many boxes to expect 1 bed 20-25 boxes; 2 bed 25-40; 3 bed 40-60; 4 bed 60-100; 5 bed 100-150
Office clothes Good condition work clothes: donate to Dress for Success
Paperwork What to keep after someone has died: https://www.gov.uk/valuing-estate-of-someone-who-died/records?fbclid=IwAR35HOeA5VhpQYi69NKeaw2S7mQDjIfj5D-tQvHj9tNG1TCLc5JudEzTy8w
Piano Schools; Railway station; Local music shops
Pens Keep them together, sort regularly, donate by post to pensforkids.co.uk; Donate at local schools
Recycling guidelines (2022) PET (water bottles and condiment containers) Easy to recycle; HDPE (shampoo bottles and milk jugs) Easy to recycle; PVC (plastic pipes) Hard to recycle; LDPE (some plastic bags) Can be recycled; PP (yogurt and sour cream containers) Can be recycled; PS (takeout food boxes and coffee cups) Hard to recycle; 0 (ev thing else, nylon, acrylic, fiberglass) Hard to recycle.
Repairs Repair week: Londonrecycles.co.uk (11-17 March); Find local repair cafes,
Sheets Local schools as backdrops for plays; Bedding for vets and animal shelters; Homeless charities
Stamps (used) https://www.againstbreastcancer.org.uk/recycling/used-stamps/
S: Stamps (collections) If you want to re-sell, look for: before 1960, vibrant colours, good condition, higher face value, with writing (e.g. still on postcard), organise into piles by date/ country
If after 1960, can donate to Oxfam or contact Stamp Active (charity to teach young kids how to collect)
Support Clutterers anonymous
Tennis rackets British heart foundation
Towels Vets and horse stables
Unrecyclable https://www.terracycle.com/en-GB e.g pens, coffee capsules
Xrays and mri scans Return to recycle at the hospital, radiology dept. to extract the silver
These tips have been collated from various sources over the past years, it’s always best to double check any websites for more up to date information.