Most new years kick off with a desire to rinse and refresh your life from the crap of year’s past, but this year that craze has been on roids thanks to the popularity of the Netflix special, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo.
me: *watches one episode of Tidying Up with Marie Kondo*
me, immediately: pic.twitter.com/09xcQMpw8d
— elle (@66bitchcraft) January 3, 2019
So if you’re reassessing your belongings based on whether or not they spark joy, remember to dispose of those things that end up in the ‘out’ pile appropriately.
Tidying up is a great time to look into different local charities that will take your second-had goods for different causes. Whether it’s your local Vinnies or more specialised charities providing for women like Dress for Success or Fitted for Work, or a number of other organisations – your tidying up can actually contribute to the community, so do your research and donate accordingly.
#Melbourne For anyone undertaking the Marie Kondo clean out – our op shop will be accepting donations shortly and would be most appreciative of any good clothes you’re letting go of!
We’re located in East Brunswick and will have a donation day in the coming weeks. pic.twitter.com/PHbj9O7t5C
— Melb Period Project (@PeriodProjMelb) January 10, 2019
However, there is a commonly-held misconception that these charities will take anything and everything, no matter the condition. So this is just a friendly reminder to essentially ditch the ‘one person’s trash is another person’s treasure’ mentality. If it’s trash, it’s trash. Put it in the trash.
After a heated discussion with Marie Kondo i’ve decided to throw myself in the trash.
— Kashana (@kashanacauley) January 7, 2019
Charity op shops suffer from an influx of second-hand goods that are in no condition to be resold. Clothes are especially a problem. Things that are ripped, stained, soiled, or just too old and tattered, are not appropriate for donation.
It becomes a costly problem when charity shops have to pay landfill fees to dispose of the materials, which then takes funds away from the community they are trying to help.
Me waiting for the thrift stores to fill up with all the good stuff now bc of this Marie Kondo Netflix special pic.twitter.com/YtJvf7Gm2M
— Kat (@awahihte) January 7, 2019
The general rule is that the stuff you’re giving away should be something you wouldn’t be embarrassed to give to a friend. Plus when you drop off the clothes they should be clean – otherwise you’re just transferring that labour onto the charity.
So keep that in mind and donate your non-joy-sparking stuff to places that need it. Just make sure it’s viable to spark joy for someone, because these charities aren’t here to take out our trash.