Ok there may actually be 4 – RECYCLE, RE USE, RE PURPOSE (and RE FURBISH)
I originally wrote this after Xmas 2019 , as the years have passed, my thoughts are still the same or maybe even more determined to do what ever I can to and if it can go to a charity or it’s helping someone else, so much the better!!
We all have TOO much ‘STUFF’
First let me point out BEFORE anyone else does that I have been complete hoarder myself so have NO right to be telling anyone what to do, but on the flip side I do KNOW the theory inside out! There is the one in – one out theory, the Feng Shui principles, the KonMari method…………… yes I really do spend MORE time reading about it than doing it!! When friends give you books on de cluttering , that’s a time to take notice! I THINK I have turned a corner, but maybe my daughters would disagree??
So with the influx of more stuff over the Xmas Period lets get recycling some that you no longer need or want
REAL XMAS TREES
CHILDRENS CLOTHING, TOYS, HOUSEHOLD & GARDEN ITEMS
If you are giving for FREE. There are lots of brilliant Facebook Page Lytham Leg Up! Lytham Community Network and Lytham Mummies helping local families around the area. All items to be clean, in good working order and safe. Bear in mind, that these are groups you have to join and take note of the rules you have to agree to before joining. If you have any queries contact any of the ADMIN directly, a list of them/names are usually on the About page.
There are also other local FB pages such as Lytham St Annes Recycle Buy Sell Swap Or Give For Free and other similar pages all over the Fylde and Lancashire, just make sure there is FREE in the name, otherwise there are buying pages to post them on (more further down)
There is also the regional/national website freecycle.org/
ADULT CLOTHING
Any of the above plus Adult Clothing of course can be given to Charity.
Fold & Parcel up CLEAN items and take to your favourite charity shops …..there are lots about, but please check first whether they are accepting items at the present moment
(Please, please make sure they ARE clean though. One of my friends recently volunteered and she could not believe the state of some of the things left in bags for them to sort through! Yuk! Don’t be that person!)
IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A LITTLE SOMETHING
Post your items with a reasonable price (be realistic, they are second hand goods) plus good photos (really they DO make a difference) on Lytham Advertising, Lytham St Annes Swap, Buy And Sell Household Goods Fylde Coast ,buy ,sell ,swap ! most of these are groups so you will have to ‘request’ to join, and read the rules carefully on what you can/cannot post .
There is also FB Marketplace HERE which helps you post to multiple local FB groups at the same time.
VINTAGE & ANTIQUE OBJECTS AND FURNITURE
This vintage and antique shop in the Old Dairy was opened (fittingly) by none other than Fiona Bruce in 2018 .You can donate or sell and all funds help with the project of restoring Lytham Hall one of the Fylde’s only Grade I listed Buildings
Loving run by Zoe and Gene Give them a call on 07980242312 or contact them via website to see you have what they are looking for..
More about them in a separate blog coming soon!!
BOOKS
Lytham Hall also accept books that are sold inside the Hall, near the Tea Rooms, as do many local charity shops
GREETING CARDS
You could get creative yourself if you are so inclined see, The Greeting Card Recycle Project HERE
If not channelling your inner Kirsty Allsop there is a Mother & Daughter in Warton that will take them off your hands and make new cards out of old it’s KathsHandmadeKards send a message via Facebook or call them on 07870 103347
If all else fails put in the Brown Bin
MOBILE PHONES/ELECTRONICS
If you have a new tech at Christmas, you can recycle your old items, including ipads, tablets, smartwatches, games consoles and even digital cameras at compareandrecycle.co.uk/
Oh oh, turns out there is 6 in all