9 Things That Take Up Space and Where to Get Rid of Them

There are often things at home that have lost their relevance: clothes, old electronics, expired cosmetics and phone boxes. They occupy useful space and create visual clutter. We explain how to get rid of this junk in a beneficial way — for yourself and the environment.

We've already explained how to unpack your wardrobe and determine which items you no longer need. Now — where to dispose of everything?

What to do with old clothes

• Give to friends or neighbors. Use your neighborhood chat to offer items. The key is that the clothes must be clean and in good condition.

• Donate to charitable projects: "Good Things" works in Moscow and the Moscow region, with a pickup service. "Collector" accepts even underwear for recycling. "Second Breath" accepts clothes.

• Sell or exchange. Use "Avito", "Yula" or specialized Telegram chats.

Where to dispose of used cosmetics

• To stores with a recycling program: L'Oréal and I'Verge accept packaging from their own products. Eco-center "Assembly" accepts tubes and bottles, even unbranded ones, but the inside must be empty.

What to do with boxes, bags and packaging

• Paper boxes. Tear them apart and flatten, then drop off in a paper recycling container (search via Recyclemap).

• Plastic. Soft plastic in "Vkusvill" or "Collector" containers. Rigid plastic in eco-points on Recyclemap. Don't forget to rinse packaging — contaminated waste may not be accepted.

Where to donate old books

• Donate. "Old Age in Joy", "Volunteers for Orphaned Children", "Creation". Check the condition of books: dirty or torn ones won't be accepted.

• Sell. Use "Avito", Alib.ru, Libex.ru. Rare editions are better listed individually.

• Recycle as paper. Old editions with poor quality go in paper containers.

What to do with CD, DVD and cassette tapes

• Digitalize recordings. Especially important ones: family videos or rare lectures.

• Recycle. "Collector", eco-points in shopping centers. Disc cases (rigid plastic) are also accepted separately.

• Sell. Games and movies — on "Avito", in fan Telegram channels.

Where to dispose of cables, chargers and batteries

• Recycle. At "Vkusvill" — batteries. At "Collector" — electronics, but not bulbs or cartridges. You can find nearby recycling points via Recyclemap by waste type.

• Trade-in. M.Video and Eldorado offer exchange of old tech when buying new.

• Sell. Chargers, cables and adapters may still be useful to someone else.

Decluttering the kitchen: food and dishes

• Check expiration dates. Cookies — up to 3 months, rice — up to 1.5 years, millet — 4 months.

• Check the freezer. Anything stored for over a year may be unsafe and tasteless.

• Dispose of jars. Glass goes in eco-containers (often located near supermarkets).

Documents and cards

• Digitalize important items. Use Yandex.Disk.

• Get rid of unnecessary documents. Papers with personal data should be shredded or torn up.

• Discount cards — in your phone. Apps like Wallet, Stocard work well.

Unneeded furniture and bulky items

• Give away or sell. Telegram channels. The "Give Away" section on "Avito".

• Donate via removal services. "Waste Removal" offers pickup of old furniture (not free). "Megabak" has collection points for bulky waste in Moscow region.