WHO KNEW a Thoughtful Review of “Stuff” Can Be a Good New Year’s Resolution?

A while ago I saw a list from AARP called “Things to Throw Out.” Our Community Climate Connections (C3) group has been advocating reusing and recycling when possible rather than just discarding things. So I went through the AARP list looking for ways to get rid of things, preferably not in the landfill.

Several of the suggestions include selling things online. You may have noticed that people often post items for sale on the Hanover List Serve . There are instructions at the end of the list on how to send your post.

Things to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - or as a last resort, throw out:

Abandoned hobby supplies: Arts and crafts - if they’re in good shape, donate them to a school or LISTEN. Stamps, coins, and other collectables - sell online or at an antique shop.

Paper items like old files: You can always put uncoated paper in your own recycling bin or take boxes of it to a shred day, usually held twice a year. Or tear up some of it and add it to your compost.

Coated paper items like old photographs: Unfortunately photos, negatives and slides are not recyclable. Discard them in the regular trash. If they’re of sentimental value, take digital photos of them first so you’ll have a family record.

Books: Try Left Bank Books on Main Street, Hanover, or the Five Colleges Book Sale held in the spring. Post online or donate to LISTEN or a community rummage sale.

CDs and LPs: Try Records, Memorabilia and Posters NH near the Nugget Theater.

Extras and duplicates: Ask yourself how many _____ (fill in the blank: coffee mugs, baseball caps, etc.) you really need. Depending on what they are and what shape they’re in, donate, recycle, or discard the extras.

Stuff you never use: If it’s your grandmother’s dinnerware and your kids don’t want it, sell it at an antique shop on consignment.

Stuff from a past phase: If you’re retired or working remotely, this could be work clothes or clothes that don’t fit. Sell them at a consignment shop or donate to LISTEN, the Haven, or a rummage sale.

Anything expired: Discard. Especially medicine. CVS and the fire and police station have bins for this purpose.

Many thanks to all the community-minded businesses and organizations that help us reuse and recycle.