Many people like to clear out their homes at the beginning of the year. The question often arises as to what to do with the sorted things? We have the answer: flea markets were yesterday – with our tips you can simply get rid of useless things – without much effort!
As soon as the new year has started, many people just want to get rid of useless things. No wonder, because decluttering creates a general feeling of liberation – both in your own four walls and in your head. True to the motto: “New year. New me. New mucked-out apartment”. Sounds good, feels good.
But how does that work without a lot of effort? How do you manage not to fill up the basement or attic or have boxes lying around in the hallway for weeks? Because the most important question that follows the mucking out campaign is: Where can you dispose of your discarded things and where might they still be used? We’ll show you a few options.
Have clothes picked up? Is now possible!
If you want to get rid of a lot of clothes and would like to have them collected, then there is now the right solution for you too. For example, the companies TextilTiger or Recycle Hero offer to pick up old clothes from the front door free of charge. With just a few clicks, select the right pick-up date and someone will come by and pick up bag and baggage from you.
Thrift department stores are ideal
Find out whether there are so-called social department stores in your area. They are a good way to easily get rid of not only textiles, but also furniture or household items. In most cases you have to bring your sorted things there yourself. Most often, social or second-hand department stores are run by organizations such as municipal social welfare, churches or the large welfare organizations. The donation profit almost always goes into social projects.
Alternatives to the old clothes container?
Instead of throwing discarded clothes in the old clothes bin, you could take them to clothing stores yourself. You can find many acceptance points in your area via the Diakonie, the Caritas clothing stores, the DRK or even via city websites. A very popular place to go are the Oxfam shops, where you can hand in textiles. This is how the homeless, social welfare recipients or refugees get your old clothes.
You have sorted out many different things – you can hand in (almost) everything here!
Would you like to drop off donations in kind at local acceptance points, do good deeds and maybe donate bedding for the homeless? Whether it’s toys, medicine, clothing or hygiene items, if you need help finding a suitable social facility then this website could be of help. on wherewith.org You will be shown clothing stores and institutions throughout Germany that are happy to receive donations. Or you can find out directly from aid services such as Johanniter or the Malteser what is nearby.
Just get rid of books, tools and useless things and collect money
You don’t want to dispose of your well-preserved books, CDs or DVDs in the paper bin or at the recycling center? Then so-called used goods platforms such as Momox could be an easy option. Download the app, scan the barcode and determine the value. Then send the item in free of charge or have it picked up and receive money. Another well-rated buying platform is Zoxs, where you can also turn tools and much more into money, for example.
Turn old clothes into cash? Dead easy!
It is also worth selling discarded clothing through various suppliers. There are now online flea markets like sand by the sea. From Ebay classifieds, Vinted, Mädchenflohmarkt, Sellpy or Rebelle and Vestiaire Collective (for designer second-hand parts) there are many platforms that are self-explanatory and easy to use.
When discarded toys and children’s clothes accumulate
Especially with children who quickly outgrow their clothes and are bored with old toys, it is worth knowing about second-hand shops (such as the FairKauf chain), children’s hospices, kindergartens or aid organizations in the area. In some cases, many donated toys are also sent to other countries.
Alternatively, of course, toys and textiles can also be sold via portals such as Quoka, Ebay classifieds and Momox. For example, to simply sell things on Sellpy, you order a 75 liter bag for 1.95 euros. There you pack all the sorted items of clothing in and then send them to the shop free of charge. A suggested price follows, which you can approve.
Classic flea market was yesterday!
You are thinking about when and where you could bring your parts to the man or woman? Garage flea markets will be all the rage in 2023 to turn old things into money with little effort. Print flyers with all the information, distribute them and off you go! To be on the safe side, you should ask your city or municipal administration whether the flea market has to be registered. Actually this is not necessary. But safe is safe.
Anyone who regularly sorts out, owns a garage and would like to register a garage flea market permanently can even easily obtain a trade license from the responsible office for a small fee of just under 20 euros.
Get rid of old cell phones and technology easily?
There are local collection points (often in large cities) or at Telekom for discarded mobile phones. The latter even offers the option of sending mobile phones free of charge to the collection point by DHL parcel. Another variant: You send your old mobile phone to the German environmental aid to Cologne.
In general, smartphones and other technical devices can of course be disposed of at recycling centers. It is worth asking your friends or neighbors about this and avoiding many trips to the recycling center. Recommended buying and selling portals for technology are the portals Rebuy, Zoxs and Wirkaufens.de.
Small animals make crap too!
You only sorted out individual parts that you now want to get rid of quickly? Then grab an old bag, fill it up, and see if you can drop it off at one of your favorite stores. In some stores you can donate old clothes and get a percentage off your next purchase in the store.
Sources used: wheredamit.org, reboundstuff.de, utopia.de, zoxs.de, duh.de