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43Folders.com is Merlin Mann’s website about finding the time and attention to do your best creative work.

Vox Pop: Converting clutter from trash to treasure

Quick way to dispose of lots of stuff? | Ask MetaFilter

Wow, talk about good timing.

I've noticed in comments on this week's clutter posts that there's a lot of interest from you all in the away part of "throw away" -- people seem to have a lot of ideas on the most interesting, charitable, creative, and environmentally-responsible routes for converting your own trash into someone else's treasure.

So far we (and that AskMe thread) have covered:

  • Recycling
  • Goodwill (and similar charities)
  • 1-800-GOT-JUNK (and similar services)
  • Craigslist (and other classified avenues)
  • eBay (and other online sales ideas)
  • Freecycle
  • Putting it on the street with a "Free" sign

What's your creative solution? Let's try to avoid names of specific businesses and charities except inasmuch as they offer a truly creative and non-obvious solution to reuse or recycling. What's the most interesting way you've cleared your crap while doing some good? Have you got any suggestions that are clever and convenient?

Jim's picture

There are two amazing places...

There are two amazing places here in Portland, Oregon, that have affiliated or similar groups elsewhere:

Free Geek http://freegeek.org/ SCRAP http://www.scrapaction.org/

The first is a huge recycler of computer parts. They also have a program where you can earn a free Linux box through volunteering or through building their Linux boxes. It's a nerdy wonderland! They have so many CRT monitors that they are technically considered a toxic waste dump.

SCRAP is another of those creative reuse places. They run contests like Iron Artist.

Awesome way to think out of the box'o'crap, Merlin! This stuff helps us all be more conscious of where our discards go.

 
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