Donate and Recycle Your Home Office Clutter
We know that clutter affects everything from your ability to find important project files to your ability to focus on the tasks you need to complete. This is true at work and at home, but it’s even more prevalent when you are working from a home office. An ideal way to give new life to those possessions in your home office that you no longer need, or use is to donate or recycle them. Here are some of this NYC Professional Office Organizer’s favorite local organizations that accept donations. Not in NYC? A lot of these companies have locations in other parts of the country!
Clothing. It’s common to take clothing that you don’t wear often and stash them in your home office closet so you free up some space in your bedroom closet. But that’s just adding more clutter to your workspace and possibly taking away valuable office storage! Instead stop avoiding the issue, make a decision and donate the clothing that you aren’t wearing so you’ll free up the space. For men’s clothing, try Career Gear. Career Gear is an organization that provides men with interview clothing, motivation, and support to find jobs and keep them. They accept business suits, ties, dress shirts, shoes, and other accessories for interviews. For women’s clothing, try Dress for Success. Dress for Success is an organization that helps low-income women transition back into the workforce by providing them with interview clothing, career development tools, and support. They accept gently used business clothing, suits, and shoes.
Old computers, printers, and other electronics. Just about everyone I work with has a stash of old electronics! Have you upgraded your computer and still have the old one taking up valuable space on your office bookshelf? Or perhaps you have an older printer that stopped working just taking up space in your closet. Get rid of these items once and for all by recycling or donating them. For electronics that are still in working condition, try Materials for the Arts. Not only do they accept working electronics, but also office supplies and other items all of which support arts and cultural organizations, public schools, and community arts programs. For electronics that are no longer working, recycle them at the Lower East Side Ecology Center. Not only can you recycle at their facility, they also provide neighborhood recycling events throughout the city.
Other miscellaneous items. You have probably heard the old adage – one person’s garbage is another person’s treasure! This is true with home office clutter as well. If you are ready to part ways with office supplies, home office decor, books, other housewares you’ve been storing in your home office space – try bringing them to one of the cities Stop N’ Swap events. This is a free community reuse event where you can bring any clean, portable, reusable item. You can swap for something you need, or just donate to someone else. There are regular events scheduled across NYC.
When you donate or recycle your unwanted home office items, you are not only keeping them out of landfills, you are getting them out of your own personal space and providing much needed equipment and materials to those in need. I’ve compiled lists of NYC donation and recycling centers, so you are sure to find an appropriate resource for your needs.
For more home office organizing tips and strategies, reach out to this NYC Professional Office Organizer.