donation

Give Back Box

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Day 350 – If you have an empty box and things you no longer want and would like to donate, then Give Back Box is exactly what you need. This time of year we all have plenty of shipping boxes being delivered. Instead of breaking those boxes down and having them recycled, you can load them up with items to donate.

You can either download a free shipping label or pay $15 and choose a charity of your choice.

“The purpose of Give Back Box® is to provide an effortless and convenient method of donating your used household items. Give Back Box not only provides an easy way to be part of a truly good cause, it gives a secondary use to corrugated boxes and guarantees they will be recycled.. So this is an all-round CSR & Sustainability solution.” – Give Back Box

This holiday season give your cardboard boxes a new life and help others while you’re doing it.

Tomorrow, an interesting location for solar panels.

Declutter and Get Organized

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Day 116 – Today is Get Organized Day! My senior year of high school, I was given the title, “Most Organized”. It wasn’t the most exciting title, but it wasn’t the worst either. I have carried that organizational skill into my adulthood. However, there are times when things fall of the rails and I find myself with a lot of stuff, everywhere.

Women’s Day shared a list of over 100 ways to get organized. Here are 10 tips from the list. I have added an eco-friendly spin on most of them.

  1. Sort your fridge like a grocery store – By organizing your refrigerator you can cut back on food waste.
  2. Pick your favorite cleaning products – No need to have 100 products and all those single-use plastic bottles and make sure those products are environmentally friendly.
  3. Put everything in its place – If there’s no place for it, then it needs to be rehomed.
  4. Get rid of things you never wear – This tip mentions throwing away your stained or ripped clothing. A better option would be to mend or donate to a textile recycler.
  5. Cut down on paper towel use – Start using old rags and t-shirts to help with the dirty work.
  6. Borrow special-use kitchen appliances – Not only will it save you space, but it will be one less thing you have to get rid of when you realize you never use it.
  7. Get rid of makeup you don’t use – Pare down your cosmetics so that it all fits in one portable bag. Recycle the cosmetics you don’t want anymore.
  8. Stay on top of your bills – Make a list of all the bills that need to be paid and check them off as they get paid. Make sure to go paperless.
  9. Get rid of expired beauty products, medicine, and coupons twice a year – When you adjust your clocks each spring and fall, also weed out expired medicine, sunscreen and smoke detector batteries, to name a few.
  10. When you declutter, before tossing anything in the trash, find out if it can be donated or recycled.

Getting things organized can make you feel better. However, throwing all those unwanted items in the trash can really bring down the mood. So, do your research! Here’s a Recycling and Donation Resource to get you started.

Another great option is to hire a professional organizer. He or she will help you get your life in order and can assist you in accomplishing it in an eco-friendly way. For anyone living in the Chicagoland area, Kelly Brask, Certified Professional Organizer, can help bring order to your home and office. Consider hiring Kelly for your next big decluttering task.

Tomorrow, growing a healthy lawn without pesticides.

SCARCE: Implementing change to foster a more sustainable future

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Day 48 – SCARCE was founded in 1990, when gently used books were rescued from the landfill and placed in the hands of those that needed them the most. Now, over 30 years later they have grown into an organization that is educating and helping others to make a meaningful difference in their communities and the environment.

SCARCE does the following:

  1. SCARCE provides award-winning  programs that teach people how and why they should  care for the Earth. Whether you are with a school, business, non-profit, or community group, they will help you make a positive impact for our planet.
  2. SCARCE guides schools, municipalities, and organizations to reach their environmental goals. They can assist with recycling, composting, energy conservation, green cleaning projects and more!
  3. SCARCE will help you find places to donate, recycle, or properly dispose of items you no longer need. Whether you are downsizing, de-cluttering, cleaning out, or retiring, they help you reduce your impact on the planet and get items to those in need.
  4. They have gently-used books and supplies for teachers, non-profits, and aid groups. They have books, school supplies, musical instruments, arts & crafts materials and much more.

SCARCE is located at 800 S. Rohlwing Rd (Route 53), Unit D, Addison, IL 60101

Click HERE for their hours.

Tomorrow, trying to figure out what to do with batteries.

Valentine’s Day: Give Love to the Planet

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Day 44 – A message from Sierra Club:

Although we can’t be with all our loved ones this year, the power of community has never been stronger! We want to help you spread the love this Valentine’s Day. Instead of sending a box of chocolates or a scooby-doo Valentine, give your loved ones the gift of a healthy planet. Make a donation of any amount in their honor, and we’ll send them an e-card letting them know you’re thinking of them.

DONATE HERE!

For a donation of $14 or more, we’ll also send your loved one a sunflower grow starter kit!* It’ll brighten their day and bonus, sunflowers are native across the US! 

The air you are breathing, the water you are drinking, wildlife and wild places around the globe and in your communities are under attack – let’s work together to preserve and protect our precious resources and wild places. We’ve set a goal to raise $1,400 as a Valentine’s Day gift to our planet, will you help?

Thanks for all that you do, 

Team Sierra

*We’ll send your loved one instructions to redeem their gift. Shipping takes 5-10 business days and is US only. Supply is limited and is first come, first served.

There are also countless other organizations you could donate to this Valentine’s Day. Find one that means the most to you and your loved ones.

Tomorrow, all decked out for Valentine’s Day.

DVDs: Send them to the troops

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Updated on November 2, 2021 – DVDs to the Troops is no longer active. They have suspended their operations.

Day 32 – We have quite a few DVDs that are not needed anymore. So, I was on the search for ideas on how to part with a few titles. After a little research, I found a few suggestions.

  1. Resell – I guess there is still a market for used DVDs and plenty of online options to sell.
  2. Donate – Check with local library, thrift store or charity.
  3. Repurpose – Get crafty and use the old DVDs and CDs in your next DIY project.

I decided to look for a charity or good cause. I came across DVDs to the Troops.

So, I’ll be shipping my DVDs to the troops and I encourage you to do the same. I’m also going to use the month of February to collect DVDs. Feel free to drop off your old DVDs inside my front door. If you would also like to include a couple dollars for shipping that would be greatly appreciated!

Here are a few guidelines:

  1. No bootlegs, no burned DVDs, no workout videos, no corporate training videos. 
  2. DVDs DO NOT need to be in original cases/packaging.
  3. They do not accept CDs and VHS.

If you would like to send your DVDs on your own, here is the information:

ADDRESS – Dorothy Washington / 442 AG Company (BAF)/ APO, AE 09354

SHIPPING FORM  – Media Mail from the USPS seems to be most efficient and cost effective way to ship- APO addresses receive an automatic discount. Fill it out online & print before going to USPS to save time.

If you’re sending on your own, be sure to include a little note. The troops really enjoy the DVDs and appreciate the well wishes.

Tomorrow, getting the low down on microplastics.