What Do I Do With All Of This Stuff?

WHAT DO I DO WITH ALL THIS STUFF??  (DON'T SEND IT TO THE DUMP)    

When contemplating selling a home one of the first thoughts that springs to mind is, "What are we going to do with all the stuff in this house?.    They are so many options other than the landfill! 

Here are a few of the recycling resources available to Rockville residents:  (If you live elsewhere, some of these organization probably have facilities near you....try the websites listed!)  

1)  A Wider Circle -  Named one of the regions finest small charities by the Catalogue for Philanthropy, 2008.  Among other services, A Wider Cirlce runs The Neighbor-to-Neighbor Program providing furniture and other home items to families moving out of shelters or otherwise living without their basic need items.  They are always in need of beds, bedding, dressers, kitchen tables and chairs and pots, pans, silverware, dishes; the list goes on and on.  (Dignity condition requested).  Call for pick-up 301-657-1010 or drop off items at their storage facility at 5140 River Road, Bethesda, Md. 20816 (www.awidercircle.org)  

 2)  Habitat for Humanity ReStore:  ReStore is a resale business that sells new and used building materials and home improvement items to the general public. Proceeds from the sale of merchandise are used to help Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County build more simple, decent affordable housing for families in throughout Montgomery County. The Gaithersburg ReStore has an excellent selection of gently used appliances, cabinetry, windows, doors, fixtures, tile, plumbing supplies, residential and office furniture, and much more.  Donations can be dropped off at 9100 Gaither Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20877 (Just off Shady Grove)  For larger items, call for pick-up 301-947-3304.  (http://www.habitat.org/cd/frame/frameset.aspx?url=www.ReStoreMoCo.org)

 3)  Wagging Tails -  A thrift store run for the benefit of the Montgomery County Humane Society.  They keep growing and are huge now!  Very saleable itemsmay be dropped off at their donation center at 1310 Gude Drive, Rockville, Maryland.  301-279-0345.  There are few places where shoppers can buy diamond rings, antique books, and bus seats all while accompanied by their favorite four-legged friend. (http://www.mchumane.org/wagging_tails.shtml)

4)  Solid Waste Transfer Station - (Yes, the landfill, dump, and other less pleasant names, but, hey did you know they recycle a lot of items?)   Take items to the car entrance on Route 355 in Gaithersburg, just south of Shady Grove Road. Follow signs to the recycling areas.     Take your small electronics(computers, TVs, VCR's, microwaves, etc.  (http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/apps/dep/solidwaste/collectionservices/index.asp)     Take your hazardous materials (pesticides, fertilizers, thermometers, paint thinners, fuels, oils, paints, batteries, fluorescent tubes).(http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/swstmpl.asp?url=/content/dep/solidwaste/collection_services/hw/hhw/index.asp)     Take your cleaned and dried clothing and textiles in plastic bags to the transfer station, yes they take these, too!     Call for a Scrap Metal Bulk Pickup for swingsets, large applicances, bicycles, grills, iron furniture, railings, aluminum lawn chairs, metal sheds, lawn mowers, fencing.  Call 240-777-6410 at least a few days before your regular trash day to schedule pick up.     Call for special Bulk Pickup -  Every resident is entitled to 5 special bulk pick ups a year.  Call 240-777-6410 to schedule. (Furniture, rugs, box springs, mattresses, large toys, trash cans and non-metal items).  

5)  Freecycle - Do you just have one or two things you want to get rid of?  (Or 5, or 10, or 20?)  Freecycle is a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns and keeping good stuff out of landfills.  To view the items being given away or sought in Rockville, (or to list an item) you must be a member of the local group.  Join here http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FreecycleRockville/  Don't live in Rockville?  Find the group in your area here:  www.freecycle.org  

6)  Goodwill - Has a store that accepts donations located at 4890 Boiling Brook Parkway and a drive through drop off at 619 South Frederick Avenue (Rt. 355) in Gaithersburg.  (They take most useable items in good condition). ((www.goodwill.org)  

7)  Salvation Army - For large armounts of things, a homeowner can call for a pickup....they can be booked pretty far in advance, so call a month or two ahead of time to schedule and then get working on pulling it all together!  Call 1-800-95-TRUCK.  (www.salvationarmyusa.org/usa)  

Donations to most of these organizations are tax deductible (not the landfill, obviously)....so be green when you move....Financially and environmentally!