http://www.flickr.com/photos/ingorrr/

Ok, so I mentioned in a recent post that it doesn’t exactly feel like spring here. But, in my opinion, the grey skies, dark clouds, and constant state—frozen or not—are the perfect reasons to stay inside and do a little spring cleaning, eco-style.

Compact Discs: As one of the first iPod users, my CDs, after I purchase music legally, tend to live a lonely life in my massive 300+ CD case under my bed once they’ve been uploaded to my computer. And really, do I need that Moody’s Blues Greatest Hits album around to haunt me?

DVDs and VHS Tapes: Are you really going to watch Biodome again? Even Pauly Shore has something to say about that.

Cell Phones: These are sometimes hard to part with, as there’s a good chance you dropped some change on it and carried it with you everyday, everywhere, for at least a year. But you probably have a way cool phone now, and you’re probably happy to make fun of the fact that I still have a Motorola Razr.

Computers: In my adult life, I have been through three computers and have no idea what happened to all but my current laptop. That’s not good. These days, nearly every family has multiple computers. Maybe one is gathering some dust.

Clothing: If you haven’t worn it in the last 12 months, and it’s not some sort of ceremonial garb (i.e. wedding accoutrement, Halloween costumes), pitch it.


What to do, what to do:

• Sell ‘em. There are many used secondhand stores happy to take that Huey Lewis and the News collection off your hands. And plenty of online sellers, like eBay and http://www.secondspin.com/ make it even easier to make some cash from your embarrassing taste in music. Buffalo Exchange, Plato’s Closet and other similar stores will actually pay your for your clothing. Who knew?

• Donate ‘em. Salvation Army, Goodwill, and others are happy to have your fashion, culture, and technological rejects. Or donate your cell phone to some other worthy causes: http://www.americancellphonedrive.org/

• Recycle ‘em. CDs, cell phones, and iPods can be recycled at www.cdrecyclingcentral.com. Books, CDs, and DVDs can be recycled at http://ecoencore.org/