Just because it doesn’t feel like a typical sunny spring doesn’t mean you have an excuse to forego spring cleaning. In fact, a gloomy weekend is the best setting for “indoor organizational therapy” – a.k.a. getting rid of all the stuff that is cluttering your closet. Get started by finding four large cardboard boxes and labeling them:

1. Give (to a charity like Planet Aid; see below).
2. Share (with your friends at a “Swap Party”).
3. Repair (a tailor is so worth it!).
4. Maybe (for those things you know you should get rid of, but can’t part with just yet).

For now, we are going to focus on Box #1: What to do with those items you have designated for charity. One easy option is to just drop your box off at a yellow Planet Aid bin. You’ve probably seen them all over the city, but may not have known exactly what they are. So, here’s the gist of it:

ONE: You donate your clothes and other belongings. To find the yellow bin nearest you, call the L.A. office at (323) 261-9635). Generally, they are located at schools, in parking lots and even on street corners. OR, buy and sell items on e-bay sponsored “Mission Fish.” If you sell an item, you choose what percentage to donate to Planet Aid. If you buy an item, 100% of the profits are automatically donated. NOTE: Planet Aid bins do NOT accept appliances, furniture, or household goods, while the “Mission Fish”/e-bay site DOES.

TWO: The items are regularly collected, sorted and packaged for re-sale. They are generally sold at thrift shops in U.S. & Canada or exported in bulk to developing countries.

THREE: The proceeds from the sales are then donated to support community development projects in Africa and Asia. In 2006, $5.4 million dollars were donated to projects such as: HIV outreach and prevention, Teacher Training Colleges, Farm Clubs (like agricultural or trade co-ops) and Nutritional education.

Now, how’s that for a “fair trade“? You now have a clean and organized closet, Susan in D.C. finds your old prom dress at a vintage shop that’s perfect for her high-school themed-cocktail party and thousands of people in other countries receive development aid tailored to their village’s needs. We all go home happy (but only if you go home and start sorting).

For more help with how to sort through your stuff, keep your eyes out for an upcoming article on “No Wire Hangers: The Green Way to Organize.”

Tags: charity, Fair Trade, Planet Aid, spring cleaning