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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Getting rid of things sustainably is bloody hard work

37 replies

cheeseomelette · 12/09/2026 17:16

I’m trying to declutter well in advance of downsizing. It’s a nightmare. I don’t want to just bin things that anyone else could make use of, and some of the things are expensive so it just feels wasteful.

We have a charity shop drive through (amazing) but I work full time in another town and can only go occasionally. Then they often won’t take a particular item - such as pictures - because they already have loads.

Vinted, eBay etc are so much work and can be hit and miss with people messing you about. I really cannot face a car boot. Even listing on Facebook for free is admin.

and what about things like old travel books? Can they just go in recycling? Card or paper? What about cosmetics and make up thats unused? You end up driving stuff round in the boot for months without getting rid of it.

A good friend confessed she just bins stuff but I cannot do that in good conscience. I can understand why it’s tempting though after spending all afternoon sorting and not evicting very much.

OP posts:
IglesiasPiggl · 12/09/2026 17:56

I generally put things out on my driveway on a dry day and it goes pretty quickly. I live in a high footfall area though. It's way better than FB, Nextdoor etc, which I find just far too much faff. Clothes go to the local hospice shop. They don't seem to have random things they're refusing in any given week like the big charity shops so much easier to donate there. Useable furniture goes to the British Heart Foundation, who collect in my area. Anything broken goes to the tip and that reminds me to be careful about what I buy in the first place.

Sunshineandrainbow · 12/09/2026 17:52

https://anglodoorstepcollections.co.uk/

See if these will collect in your area from your doorstep

I agree it's hard work and I have next week off to try and sort my shit

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EmailsaysOOO · 12/09/2026 17:47

Yes I agree. I put things on a Trash nothing group so some stuff gets picked up - unused toiletries, large houseplants, odd gardening bits..

eBay seems a bit of a faff at least the demand for my cast-off clothes has seriously dried up in the last few years..

TheVeryAngryBanana · 12/09/2026 17:37

Ultimately everyone else in the country had a similar amount of stuff, so some of most of it is going to end up in the bin. It's a good incentive to stop buying things in the long run

wallingfordsun · 12/09/2026 17:34

use the Olio app - I have given away lots of stuff on there for free

beaglescurleduplikebagels · 12/09/2026 17:33

Stick it all outside your front door with a sign saying "free" and pop a post on your local Facebook pages. It'll be gone within hours.

concertinacornflake · 12/09/2026 17:26

You need to be proportionate and plan your approach.

Gather a lot and phone the charity shop before you set off so you know what they do and don't want.

Yes old travel books can be recycled.

PrizedPickledPopcorn · 12/09/2026 17:21

Facebook goes well here- giving away at least. Community Page, list it all and leave it outside the house. It goes like locusts get it!

Whatalunatic · 12/09/2026 17:19

Oh make up your local women's refuge would take if it's unopened

50andshowingit · 12/09/2026 17:18

Could’ve written this myself. I’m downsizing too and have way too much much of everything. I’ve just done bras and swimwear and have resigned myself to putting it all in the clothes bank. Some unworn item; feels criminal :-(

Whatalunatic · 12/09/2026 17:18

Car boot would probably get rid of loads quickly. Vinted is easy to list - once you have photos it's about a minute per item.

SeptemberRains · 12/09/2026 17:17

We have a local WhatsApp group. Anything put on there goes immediately.