We all come across objects that we have saved, many for years, that we just haven't wanted to throw away. But sometimes the day comes when we look at those things and say to ourselves, “These just have to go. I will never use them again, and I should not hold on to them just because they have fond memories.” If you have to move, that is an optimum time to face this fact as you are trying to downsize what you have to cart to a new location.

Why not line your pockets with some unexpected dollars by recycling and letting someone else have the use of those things that are still useable and sought after? Those people searching for such items have some creative ideas for them or have a collection that will be enhanced by the addition of what you have to offer. Some of the categories of possible recycled “clutter” are the following.

Electronics Recycling

There are R2-certified electronics recycling services who use state-of-the-art equipment to take the proper care of the recycling in an environmentally friendly and secure way while making sure that your data on any electronics is destroyed. That assures you that when you bring old electronics in for recycling, you don't have to worry about your sensitive information getting into the wrong hands.

Some of the electronics included are cell phones, computers, tablets, complete laptops, circuit boards, motherboards, TV and monitor boards, CD and DVD and VCR boards, hard drives, processors, CD and floppy drives, CPUs, power supply units, CRT and LCD televisions, CRT and LCD monitors, whole PC towers, copiers, printers, fax machines, and more.

Toys

We keep seeing articles that ask if we have retained certain toys from our childhoods and, if so, many of them are worth a lot of money. So dig through those old stored boxes of “memories.” Collectors are anxious to find additions to the many different and unusual toys that have come out over the years, and there is an endless search for many of them.

Clothing

Vintage clothing and items from decades past are all the rage, and many have come back in style. Consignment shops are always on the lookout for clothing in good condition, and you can make yourself some extra dollars by either selling to them outright or putting the items on consignment to reap a portion of the sale prices.

Collectibles

Multiple items, some unique, are always being sought by collectors, and they will pay a “pretty penny” when they find something to add to their “stash.” Research online for particular objects and see if you want to try to sell your “discoveries” directly to the consumer or go through a middle man who will do the set-up, advertising, and shipping for their part of the purchase price.

There are endless possibilities of what is being collected, so if anything is in good condition, it will probably find a new home whether it is jewelry, old records that are now called “vinyls” and are highly searched for and collected, handcrafts, quilts, paintings, beautiful pens, stuffed animals, wooden and metal toys, old dishes and platters, cookie jars, ceramic pieces, figurines and other knickknacks, watches, antique postcards and greeting cards – and the list goes on and on.