Five tips to declutter while at home

While we’re under stay-at-home orders, plenty of us are using this as an opportunity to declutter our lives and let go of items we no longer need.

But before you start loading up your red lidded landfill bin or organising a trip to the tip, have a look at what you might be able to re-home or recycle.

Please remember you should only be leaving your home for essential reasons, so please hold onto your items until restrictions lift. Keep up to date with current COVID restrictions on Service NSW’s website.

Get that warm fuzzy feeling by helping others and give your pre-loved good quality clothes, furniture or bric-a-brac to charity. A list of charities who may accept your items can be found at Charitable Recycling Australia. There are also plenty of sites online for giving away items for free. 

Did you know? H&M retail shops accept clothes and textiles from any brand in any condition for reuse and recycling.

Sell or give away your items online using sites such as Gumtree, Ebay and Facebook. Local Facebook pages include Northern Beaches Buy, Swap & Sell, Northern Beaches Kids Classifieds and Northern Beaches Freebies.

If you have broken furniture or small electrical goods that could be repaired, try fixing them up yourself. Or upcycle your dated furniture with a lick of paint or new fabric. With extra time on our hands, it’s the perfect time to use your hands!

Got an old flip phone or an original iPhone you need to get rid of? Mobile phones and accessories can be recycled through Mobile Muster, the official mobile phone industry recycling program. Visit their website or call 1800 249 113 to find your nearest drop off point.

Batteries are accepted for recycling at Aldi stores (AAA, A, C, D and 9V only) and Battery World stores. Council’s Customer Service centres (when they reopen) at Avalon, Mona Vale, Dee Why and Manly also accept batteries (up to 9V) and mobile phones for recycling.

Old televisions, desktop and portable computers, monitors, mice, keyboards, cables, drives, printers and scanners are all e-waste and cannot be picked up in Council’s bulky goods collection.

You can take up to 15 items of e-waste for recycling free of charge to:

Remember while Kimbriki is open, try and save your trip to the tip until after stay-at-home orders are lifted.

For information on how to responsibly dispose of items not listed, check out our A-Z guide to recycling, reuse and disposal.

The best thing you can do is reduce your waste in the first place by buying less stuff and select items that will last.