Trash Talk

"Why do you keep all this junk?" my husband sighs with exasperation.

"Not all of it is junk. Look. Over here is our wedding album and the baptismal candles from the boys' christenings. And here are our college diplomas," I assert.

"Wait. I have a diploma?!"

"Yes, you did graduate…"

"No, I mean, I thought it got lost in our last move."

"Contrary to what you may think, this back bedroom is not all junk," I declare. "This is where I keep transcripts and report cards. Here's the spot for portfolios and over there are the baby albums."

"Ok, Ok. But that doesn't negate the fact that we have a situation."

Yes. A situation. That is in fact what we have.

The problem is our house; it is slowly imploding. The decline is the result of Andrew and John doing everything but "sharing" their room, leaving us with limited options: my husband and I can either torch the whole house and collect the insurance money and run, or we can clear out the back bedroom and move Andrew into his own space. Unfortunately, arson is illegal.

Which leaves --- THE STUFF. What do I do with all the stuff I have collected through ten years of marriage, two houses, and three children?

Obviously, the important documents need to be relocated, but my husband is somewhat right (gasp!) with the comment about lots of junk. I can't remember the last time I knitted a scarf; it's time to let go of the drawer of yarn. The old trinket boxes, scrap material, boxes of books can go too. But it seems wasteful to throw everything in the trash. Instead, I want to donate.

Goodwill in Monroe is the first stop on my list of donations. I never feel bad about donating to Goodwill because I know more than 80% of their revenue goes directly back their mission of providing job skills for the disadvantaged. Lamps, old framed art, clothes, even books are among acceptable donations. Unfortunately, Goodwill will not accept televisions older than five years; nor do they want any toys that are not in original boxes. For a full list of acceptable items, visit goodwillct.org.

Recycling the old television is an issue because starting January 1, 2011, the state of Connecticut's e-Waste law went into affect. As a Connecticut resident, I cannot simply throw out an old computer, printer, television or monitor. Instead, this eWaste needs to be brought back to retailers to be recycled. A complete list of retailers is still being compiled by the State of Connecticut. If I had a laptop, digital camera, or any other smaller electronic to recycle, I could use gazelle.com where I might make a couple dollars in the process.

I have a few furniture pieces that need to be donated. I could give them to Goodwill, or see if Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Stratford is interested. Stratford's ReStore on Stratford Avenue is a great place to donate and purchase gently used furniture, appliances, fixtures and surplus building material. One time we scheduled a pickup service from ReStore. My husband definitely appreciated not lugging the items to the store.

These are just a few of my options, but knowing that I don't have to clog up a landfill makes this whole process a little easier on me. I honestly never thought I had so much stuff until I had to get rid of most of it. Hopefully, the new space will help my two sons forge peace. But hey, if Andrew and John continue their warring, at least I know that someone in the universe will benefit, even if it isn't me!