How To Nurture A Donation Habit At Home

Start a Donating + Recycling Habit:

If you’re ready to truly MAINTAIN an organized home, reducing what you bring into your home and starting a donation habit should both be high on your personal projects list!

Last month, when we interviewed Kelley Rytlewski about her project, Heartening, we all agreed that there unfortunately are a lot of problems and poor practices within the “donation” sphere. Giving away what we no longer need can be a powerful practice, but for many, it’s an afterthought that is forgotten the moment our stuff is dropped in a bin. Many organizations that accept donations are overwhelmed with the amount of items received, and our secondhand items might never serve anyone or find their way to a new home. (Not to be too pessimistic, but a quick google search of “Atacama Desert clothing dump” provides enough sobering imagery to make you want to do better!)

So we thought it would be helpful to share

• How to make donating a regular habit, and

• How to make sure your secondhand items deliver the most positive impact possible.

Here’s where you can start: 

1. Learn more about donating and recycling in your community:

Do a little research on what donation centers exist in your community. What is on their wishlist? How can you distribute your donations to make the biggest impact? What are your recycling options at home? What is actually recyclable through your city recycling pick-up program, and what might you need to take to a recycling center for specific materials like styrofoam or electronics?

SUPRISE! Heartening’s website search tool is a GREAT resource for matching your donations to a place that needs them here in Austin. (See photo above.)

Not in Austin? It might require a bit more research. Skip the big box organizations (like Goodwill and Salvation Army) and focus on smaller localized organizations that offer the most impact in your local community. Keep in mind, rural areas might have fewer options, just do the best you can.

For Recycling items that are no longer usable, use the City of Austin’s “What to do with” search tool, or sign up for a paid subscription to pickup services like Ridwell or Boxifly (Austin local!).

2. Keep donation + recycling collection bins somewhere in your home:

One of the easiest ways to make donation a habit is to set up a designated collection bin or station in your home. Choose a visible, convenient location—like your closet, laundry room, pantry, or mudroom—where you can quickly drop items that no longer serve you. When the bin is full, take it to your local charity or shelter.

Examples of categories we collect at home to “Organize for Good”:

• Clothing donations

• Arts and Crafts donations

• Housewares donations

• Recycling collections for the following:

• Stretchy plastics

• Styrofoam

• Old electric items

• Batteries and lightbulbs

3. The classic “one in, one out” rule:

Whenever you bring something new into your home, make it a habit to donate a similar item. Bought a new pair of jeans? Find an older pair you no longer love and add it to the donation bin. New dishes? Maybe it’s time to pass on your old set. This simple practice helps prevent clutter while ensuring a steady flow of outgoing items. If you’re even more serious about maintaining your space, you can switch it to the “one out, one in” rule and discard first before you replace. (Team member, Abbie, really likes this method!)

4. Schedule a time to donate items

Just like trash day or laundry day, make donation day a part of your monthly or seasonal routine. Set a reminder on your calendar or phone—whether it’s once a month or once a season—to drop off your donations and recyclables. This prevents bags of items from piling up and ensures your donations reach people who need them sooner.

A good rule-of-thumb? Avoid loading your car with donations if you aren’t driving directly to the donation center… having a backlog of donations in your car can lead to overwhelm and avoidance, and makes your grocery store routine more of a hassle.

5. Get your family involved:

Give everyone a “tour” of your collection system so your family members can participate, too. Teach your household (adults and kids) the importance of generosity by letting them choose toys, books, or clothes to donate. Make it a game by challenging family members to find five things they no longer need. Remember not to force individuals to give things away that they aren’t ready to part with. Letting go can be harder for some than others. But don’t be discouraged, your own practice may inspire them one day, and you are making a difference.

6. Declutter with others in mind:

Instead of just clearing space, shift your mindset to consider who (or which organization) might benefit from your no longer needed items. Knowing that your old winter coat could keep someone warm or that your unused kitchen gadgets might help a family cook meals can make it easier to part with things. Win-win!

7. Track what you’ve donated:

Consider keeping a list of the items you’ve donated or the organizations you’ve supported. Seeing your progress can be motivating and remind you of the positive impact you’re making in your community. Additionally, seeing what you let go of can help prevent you from making useless purchases in the future. Plus, if you choose to itemize your deductions for a tax benefit at the end of the year, this list and the associated receipts will be helpful.

8. Give yourself full permission to let go:

Many people struggle with guilt when letting go of items, thinking, "I might need this someday." But if an item isn’t serving you now, it’s okay to pass it along to someone who will use it. Most items are replaceable (or even borrowable) should a need arise in the future. You shouldn’t turn your home into a storage unit for the anxious thought “what if?”

9. Let go of gifts with gratitude for the person who gave them to you:

We know this one can be difficult, but there is a lot of magic in clearing away old gifts that do not serve your life. Release these things with gratitude and honor for the person who gave it to you (or just say a quick thanks in your mind). When you surround yourself with items that truly serve purpose in your life, you’ll be surprised at how often the gift-givers in your life adapt and give you things that truly mean something or serve a purpose. 

10. Cultivating a donation habit is win-win-win: for your space, your community, and the environment.

By making donating and recycling a consistent practice, you’re not only keeping your home organized—you’re creating a cycle of generosity that benefits both your space and your community. Start small, stay consistent, and watch how this habit transforms your home and mindset!