August 2004 | Co-op America’s Living Green
Clearing Your Clutter Responsibily
Dear Co-op America, I just had a yard sale, and though I got rid of a lot of old things, I still have a ton left. Can you give me some responsible ways to unload my junk without sending it to a landfill? — Jill E., Waldo, Wis.
AS YOU discovered, Jill, holding a yard sale is a great way to get rid of unwanted clutter. And, being responsible about unloading your leftovers after the sale not only benefits the Earth, but it can benefit nonprofits across the country, too. These organizations will help get your items into hands that need them most:
* Electronics Industries Alliance Environment Consumer Education Initiative — www.eiae.org. The EIAE Web site lists hundreds of local and national organizations that will refurbish and donate your used electronics — including computers, stereo equipment, and televisions — to charities and nonprofits that can use them. The site also lists recyclers for ancient or broken equipment that is no longer useful.
* ExcessAccess.com — This online service matches business and household item donations with the wish lists of nonprofits that can provide pick-ups.
* Goodwill — www.goodwill.org. Items you donate to Goodwill are sold in one of their 1,900 stores throughout the United States. Eighty-five percent of the profits fund job training programs for those in need. Check your local Yellow Pages or the website to find a Goodwill donation site and store near you.
* The Salvation Army — www.salvationarmyusa.org. Check your local yellow pages or the website to find a Salvation Army donation site or store near you to donate used household goods. One hundred percent of the store profits fund the Salvation Army’s substance abuse rehabilitation centers.
* Throwplace.com — You can list excess possessions on this site for donation to charities or to businesses and individuals for reuse, refurbishing, and recycling.
Eco-Litter for Cats
Dear Co-op America, Are there any ecologically responsible cat litters out there? — A Cat Lover in Phoenix, Ariz.
ABSOLUTELY! Traditional litter often contains silica dust, which can cause lung problems in pets and humans. World’s Best Cat Litter (877-367-9225, www.worldsbestcatlitter.com) is made from milled, whole-kernel corn, so it’s decomposable and safe for sewer and septic systems. Pet Care Systems offers a similar product called Swheat Scoop Wheat Litter (800-794-3287, www.swheatscoop.com), a wheat-based, chemical-free litter. Yesterday’s News (www.yesterdaysnews.com) is a chemical-free litter made from recycled newspapers. All three of these litters clump after use.
Nature’s Earth produces Feline Pine (800-749-PINE, www.felinepine.com), a chemical-free litter made from recycled pine pellets that are larger, so they can’t be tracked all over your home.
Living Green is brought to you by Co-op America, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that provides green living, purchasing, and investing tips and resources. To join Co-op America and get a free copy of the National Green Pages™ directory of green businesses, contact 800/58-GREEN. If you have a question for Living Green, e-mail it.
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