Reduce, Reuse and Recycle is the mantra of sustainability.  I have a way that you can do all three at the same time, it’s called Freecycle.  Avoid the landfill, find items a new home.

Huntsville has a local chapter of this national non-profit organization.  http://www.freecycle.org

Freecycle.org is a place where people can find a new home for items they no longer need.  Post what you have to donate, say a coat and a bike.  Individuals who have a need for either a coat or the bike then respond.  You review the responses and select who gets your coat and who gets the bike.  I personally have used Freecycle for things as large as a piano and as small as coax cable.
Freecycle is all about getting items to a new home and keeping them out of the landfill.

While there is always the option of donating items to charity, and I would never discourage that.  There are items to big, to awkward or to specialized for a general donation.  For those we have freecycle. Share the love…….  This site is for donations only, no buying or selling allowed.  

It’s a sad truth that some families split-up and  must start over missing critical items.  I’m happy to say, the same works in reverse.  When people  join households they often have excess or duplicates of many things.  Now you have a place to go to advertise the items you have for donation.
Don’t throw it away FREECYCLE!

At the same time, keep your ‘eyes open’ for items that might interest you.  Members can post ‘Wanted’ notices, in case that item you need (say a lawn clipper) is hanging around someones garage just taking up space.Freecycle was this basic rule: It must be free, legal and appropriate for all ages. There are items that I enjoyed and cherished that I want to find the proper home for.  Almost like placing a pet if you have to move.  I like to make sure an item gets to someone who really wants and needs it.

For many years I loved my Betsy Ross piano.  I never learned to play and there were two keys in need of attention, but I valued it for the lovely piece of furniture it was.  My room however just didn’t have space needed.  Using Freecycle I was able to find the perfect home with piano teacher.  Together we recruited some ‘muscle’ and moved it to her place.