Unloading Holiday Clutter

As gifts pile up after the holidays, many people unload clutter in January. Here’s how to properly lighten up, without harming the environment.

Eyeglasses

Donate your gently used prescription eyewear and nonprescription sunglasses to people in developing countries. Drop off at LensCrafters, Sunglass Hut and Sears Optical, and the organization OneSight will take care of the rest. For participating Oahu locations, visit onesight.org.

Building Material

Nonprofit Re-use Hawaii accepts lumber over five feet in length, doors, windows, sinks, bathtubs, new tile, cabinets, hardware and lighting fixtures. Materials must be pest-free, mold-free, without termite damage and in reusable condition. Drop off during warehouse hours. For large amounts, arrange for a pickup and they’ll come to you. 30 Forrest Ave., 953-9949, reusehawaii.org.

 Electronics

Best Buy will recycle fans, vacuums, DVD players, home and car stereos, cell phones, MP3 players, cables and TVs (both tube and flat-panel up to a certain size) at no cost. Limit three items per household per day. (Tip: Inkjet cartridges can be recycled here, too.) bestbuy.com/ecycle.

Most Everything

A one-stop, traveling recycling center, Aloha Aina Earth Day takes place in a different Oahu location every month. Items collected—from cooking oil and clothing to scrap metal and hearing aids—generate income for participating schools or nonprofits. Contact Rene Mansho for dates and locations at 306-1876, or visit opala.org.

Bikes

Donate any bike with good, usable parts to the Kalihi Valley Instructional Bike Exchange (K-VIBE), a nonprofit bicycle shop that serves as an intervention program for the at-risk youth of Kalihi Valley. The shop invites kids to fix or upgrade their bikes at no charge, as long as the work is done in the shop. Drop off bikes when the center is open. 1638 Kamehameha IV Road. 791-9480, k-vibe.blogspot.com.

Paint

Honolulu Habitat for Humanity accepts new, unopened, non-rusted cans of latex paint or stain. Paint will be resold at the organization’s ReStore in Waipahu to support construction of new homes for low-income families. It may even be used in the homes themselves. Call 538-7070 to schedule a drop-off time. 94-559 Ukee St., honoluluhabitat.org.

Batteries

Save cell phone, power-tool, rechargeable and alkaline (the type used in your TV remote) batteries and deposit them in a free receptacle bin at one of three Home Depot stores on Oahu. homedepot.com/ecooptions.

Blankets, Towels and Pet Supplies

The Hawaiian Humane Society can use old linens or Fido’s extra leash to care for incoming animals. Donations are accepted at the administrative office during business hours, or on weekends and after hours at the animal admissions desk. 2700 Wai‘alae Ave., 946-2187, hawaiianhumane.org.