What should I do with...?

Part of being organized is de-cluttering. But once you've identified a pile of stuff you no longer need or want, what do you do with it? It seems wasteful to just trash it, so luckily there are organizations all over the place that will take all kinds of things. I myself am recycling some old magazines (to the gym) and found several articles listing places to take stuff you no longer need. Here are the ones I took note of:

• Appliances. Stores like Lowe's and Home Depot may take them away when they deliver new ones. Oterhwise, call 800-GOT-JUNK. It costs $$, but it's worth the effort saved (IMO).
• Computers, printers, electronics. According to the June 2009 issue of O Magazine, Staples will take small items (larger ones for a $10 fee) and recycle them. I have also called my town, which runs a bi-annual electronics recycling day.
• Carpet. Who knew someone could recycle old carpet. But they can at carpetrecovery.org.
• Basic sporting goods (soccer balls, basketballs, volleyballs, cleats, etc). Sports Gift (sportsgift.org) redistributes stuff to underpriveleged kids. Super-cool.
• Tennis balls. Rebounces.com restores the bounce and sells them at a deep discount for use as practice balls.
• Orthotics, crutches, ankle splints, wheelchairs, knee braces. joniandfriends.org or cbmus.org.
• Expensive or bulky fitness stuff (skis, golf clubs, rollerblades, treadmills, etc). Play It Again Sports (playitagainsports.com buy and resell this kind of stuff.

If you're like me and preparing for the great pre-fall cleanout, consider donating your unwanted stuff to someone who can reuse or redistribute it. Good for you, good for others, good for the planet.