Got stuff?

We've all got stuff, lots of it.

And most of us have alot of stuff that we don't need or want anymore that we just can't bring our selves to throw away. It only goes to the landfill anyways - and now that the Freshkills landfill is being  renewed as a wetland, where does our stuff go?

Here's some sobering information: New York City residents create about 12,000 tons of garbage every day. About 2,230 collection trucks pick up all that stuff every day. Everything is then carted off to landfills in surrounding states—which, by the way, are nearly all at capacity.

So what can you do about it?

 Well, there's some easy stuff you can do like:

• stop using the ridiculously awful plastic bags and bring your own reusable bags every time you shop. Even at the shoe store.
• Contact the Lower East Side Ecology Center about recycling your food waste to create wholesome dirt for our local gardens - using worms!
• donate your used, unwanted clothing to thrift stores or local charities

But what about all the stuff you don't want but don't know what to do with?
Well, I've found a few options:

• Freecycle - offers free postings to give away your stuff
• Craiglist - same idea
• Waste Match - same idea but you can charge for your goods, government run
• Recycle the City - NEW idea folks! Looks like they are not up and running yet, but keep an eye out. They'll come pick up your stuff for a modest fee and guarantee reuse or recycling of all of your beloved items - focusing on redistributing within the local area.