25 Things You Can Throw Away Right Now: And How to Dispose of Them

There’s something about living in a small house that forces you to stay organized, starting with the things you can throw away right now.

The good news is that decluttering doesn’t have to mean a weekend-long purge. Some of the fastest wins come from the stuff sitting in plain sight that you already know you don’t need. You just haven’t made the call yet.

Here are 25 things that you can get rid of today, plus the right way to dispose of a few of the trickier ones. (Old electronics and expired prescriptions). At the end we get to the junk drawer! We all have one. The place where things go to die. Anyone with at least two advertisement pens in their junk drawer, raise your hand. 🙋‍♀️ We don’t want to just shove the problem into a landfill.

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The List

1. Hotel toiletries
   • I used to save them to take on vacation. Why? Every time I go on vacation, I get more. I had bins filled with unused toiletries. Turns out our local food pantry and homeless PADS program both are happy to have them and will distribute them to folks who will use them.

2. Wire hangers from the dry cleaner
   • Many cleaners will take them back. Ask next time you’re picking up your dry cleaning. Otherwise, they can go into scrap metal recycling.
3. Junk mail and old catalogs
   • Recycle immediately instead of them becoming a pile on the counter. I throw them in the recycling bin before I even go into the house.

4. Old magazines
   • Recycle or donate recent issues to a waiting room, salon, or Little Free Library.
5. Socks without a match or with holes
   • If it hasn’t found a partner in six months, it’s not going to. Cut clean cotton ones into rags before tossing.
6. Raggedy kitchen towels
   • Once they are stained or frayed, I cut them in half and use them as cleaning rags. Don’t keep using them on food prep surfaces.
7. Expired prescription medications
   • Don’t flush or trash these as is. The safest option is a take-back kiosk. Many CVS and Walgreens drugstores provide them. You might also find them at your local police department. That’s where I take mine. The DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is held each spring and fall. If these options aren’t available to you, the FDA recommends mixing the medications with something unappealing like used coffee grounds or dirty cat litter, sealing it in a bag, and then placing it in with your trash. Always scratch off personal information on the label first. A short list of high-risk medications (mostly opioids) are actually safe to flush if no take-back option is available. The FDA keeps an updated list at fda.gov.
8. Old cell phones
   • Before you do anything else, back up and factory-reset the phone. Remove the SIM card. Then trade it in through your carrier or the manufacturer for credit. You can donate working phones to organizations like Cell Phones for Soldiers, or Digitunity will take them. You can also check if your Best Buy or Staples has an e-waste drop-off. Cell phones contain lead and other materials that should never go in landfills.

9. Old computers, laptops, and tablets
   • Back up anything you need, then wipe the hard drive, or remove it entirely if it held sensitive information. Most manufacturers like Dell, HP, Apple, and Lenovo have mail-back recycling programs. Both Best Buy and Staples accept computers in-store. Many local governments also run e-waste collection days.
10. Old TVs
    • These can’t go out with the regular trash in most places. Some states make it illegal. Best Buy accepts TVs (a fee may apply for larger screens). Check your city’s household hazardous waste or e-waste collection schedule. You might also consider a junk-hauling service like 1-800-GOT-JUNK. They may be your best bet for a big, heavy set.
11. Household batteries
    • Regular alkaline batteries (the ones in remotes and flashlights) are actually fine in your regular household trash, in most areas. But rechargeable batteries, lithium batteries, and button/coin batteries need to be recycled. Never put them in the trash. Tape the terminals and bag them separately to prevent fires, then drop them at a Call2Recycle bin. Most Home Depots, Lowe’s, and Staples have one. Or find a location at earth911.com.
12. Expired spices
    • This is one of those things that I think many people don’t know, and that is that most spices only have a shelf life of 1-2 years. If it’s lost its color or smell, no matter how old, it needs to be disposed of and replaced. The spice can go in the garbage, and the glass, plastic, or metal container can go into your recycling bin.

13. Mismatched Tupperware and lids (I’m using “Tupperware” as a generic term for any storage containers)
    • Match what you can, then let the orphans go. You’ll have more room and less frustration digging through the cabinet.

14. Chipped or mismatched mugs and glasses
    • Chipped edges aren’t just unsightly; they are a safety issue. I finally parted ways with a single champagne glass that said “Stairway to Heaven” Prom 19XX—It’s time to part with these dust collectors that have no part in reminding us of certain vacations or events.
15. Takeout condiment packets and extra plastic cutlery
    • This one is the same as hotel toiletries. We also get more the next time we patronize that location. Why do we feel the need to save these things?
16. Freebie tote bags and water bottles
    • If you have more than you’ll ever use, donate the extras to a thrift store rather than let them multiply in your closet or cabinet.

17. Tangled cables and chargers you can’t identify
    • If you don’t know what it’s for, you don’t need it. Many electronics recyclers (see #9) will also take the cables and cords.
18. Single earrings and broken jewelry
    • If the match has been missing for a year, it’s time! Some jewelers and metal recyclers will take broken or single earrings.
19. Expired coupons
    • They aren’t saving you anything once they have expired. Do a quick pass through your coupon stash. I finally got rid of my coupons completely. Many places where I shop no longer take coupons. I also felt like the time I spent on collecting and never remembering to use was not worth the potential savings.
20. Old greeting cards, warranty paperwork, and manuals
    • I have a small box where I keep exceptional special cards, but the rest get tossed a week after the occasion. I toss the warranty and manual paperwork immediately after I’ve registered my warranty online and read the manual. All manuals and warranty information are typically available online.

The Junk Drawer

Every house has one. It’s the drawer that is less “organized storage” and more of a “catch-all.“ It deserves its own five minutes.

21. Loose change with no home
    • Corral it into a jar or take it to the bank instead of letting it roll around loose
22. Pens that don’t work
    • Test the pile, keep the two or three that actually work, and toss the rest.
23. Old receipts you don’t need for taxes or returns
    • If the return window’s closed and it’s not tax-related, recycle the receipts. Shred it first if it shows personal information.
24. Keys you can’t identify
    • A plain metal key with no known lock isn’t doing you any good in the drawer. Recycle it as scrap metal. A car key fob is different: it has a battery and electronics inside, so keep it out of regular trash and drop it at an electronics recycler instead (or ask your dealer about a battery swap if it just needs new juice). If the fob belonged to a car you no longer own, have the dealer deactivate it from that vehicle’s system first; otherwise, it can still unlock and start the car for whoever has it now.
25. Buttons from clothes you bought
    • If you have no idea what the button is for or it’s over a year old, unless it’s for an important item (like a winter coat), it’s time to get rid of it. Keep the important ones in a small container near your sewing supplies.

Final Thoughts

None of these take more than a few minutes each, and that’s the point. Small wins that make the whole house feel lighter. Pick five today and see how far you get.

Peace, Love and Happy Organizing!

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