by Alex Carrier
Published: April 17, 2008

It’s time for the yearly ritual of spring cleaning.  In a month featuring Earth Day, how do you clean (and inevitably discard) in a green manner? 
Being environmentally responsible has become a matter of national importance.  Current studies and surveys show consumers want ways to realistically be green. 
The rules of green spring cleaning start with the three rules of conservation.  Reduce, reuse, and recycle. 
Consider what you plan to throw out.  Can it still be used?  If it is something you use and plan to get new, is new really needed or just wanted? 
Begin with usable items you don’t want.  Have a community or neighborhood swap.  Everybody brings their stuff together in one place to get rid of what they don’t want and pick up things they need.  Good for your environment and good for your economy. 
Sell what no one needs at a combined yard sale or donate to a local charity such as Goodwill or Salvation Army.  For household goods, check with local service groups to see if they can use them to help neighbors in need.
The Internet can be a green way to dispose of items.  Try the web version of yard sales: on-line auctions. These usually charge a small fee even if your item doesn’t sell and a percentage of the sale price for sold items. 
Use auction website tutorials to learn how to best market your item.  If you know someone who regularly uses these sites, they might be able to give you profitable pointers. 
An excellent electronic alternative to on-line auctions is freecycle.org.  On this site, you list your items and people who need them call or email you.  This is also a good place to get what you need for free.
Freecycle membership is free and there are freecycle groups in or near most cities.  This site is dedicated to keeping usable items out of landfills.
Another way to reduce what you discard is to get creative.  Many items have more than one use if you just use some imagination.  If you are not good with creative thinking, check out craft sites and ask other people for ideas.
There will be items you need to discard.  Thinking green with your garbage is important.  Recycle items such as paper, plastic, glass, metal and aluminum.
Keep all items in their original labeled containers.  Labels should have instructions on how to properly dispose of the contents.  Many cleaners cannot be flushed down a sink or toilet. 
Many household items and products constitute hazardous waste and should be disposed of appropriately.  Check with your local waste disposal facility to what is considered hazardous waste.  They may have special disposal sites for these items.
Don’t use your toilet as a trash can.  One particular hazard many people do not consider is disposal of prescription or over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals and other products. 
Studies have shown that chemicals from medications that have been flushed into sewer systems have caused drastic damage to our waterways.  This pollution is finding its way back into our homes and our bodies and causing more damage.
To find out which products require special disposal and how to appropriately dispose of them, check with the Environmental Protections Agency http://www.epa.gov or find information at your local library.  You can even check with local pharmacies and hospitals to see if they have programs to help with disposal of medical items and waste.
The best way to be green is to think green from the beginning.  Find and use less toxic alternatives to the household products you currently use.  Often, simple basic alternatives work as well and are much cheaper. 
Buy products made from and packed in recycled and recyclable materials.  Know what you have in home inventory and keep it organized and accessible so you don’t buy what you already have. 
Mark the expiration date in big letters on all items.  This way you will be reminded to use the product before the expiration date. 
Finally remember that spring cleaning is something you do not only for your home place but your place on our planet.  What you throw out today could come back to harm you tomorrow.