Posting from the back of my closet

[dreamshark]

 Taking advantage of the spring cleaning urge by tackling my closets, looking for stuff to donate to Goodwill. I managed to fill a couple of medium sized boxes with decent donatable clothing and two grocery bags with rags and throwaways. According to The Internet, larger thrift stores don't mind getting rags - they actually have avenues to recycle them that ordinary folk have no access to. At least ever since the old Rag Stock went hipster upscale and stopped taking donations of rags. Anybody else remember when it was called The Rag Factory? 

I also unearthed a surprising number of perfectly wearable, surprisingly nice looking pieces of clothing that had just gotten log-jammed in the back. Now I'm in the middle of a project to add pockets to as many skirts and dresses as possible, which is also a nice way to use up scraps of fabric. Know what makes really good pockets?  Old pillow cases and sheets. 

At Richard's suggestion I expanded my throwaway projects outside and got rid of the 4 tires that some asshole had dumped behind our garage. Man, is it a lot of work to dispose of tires!!! In keeping with its general policy of offering superb garbage and recycling services, Minneapolis does have a way to do this for free, but it's a multi-step, time-consuming process. It's actually harder to get rid of tires than hazardous waste. If anybody ever discovers a cheap, easy way to recycle rubber, the planet will breathe a sigh of relief. 

Comments

[jbru]

I have three tires that have ended up on my property over the years. Being without a car as made disposing of them through official channels that much harder. I've been using them to hold down mulch that was having a tendency to blow away, but will be pursuing the proper channels this year.

[dreamshark]

Yes, you really do need a vehicle to get rid of tires. Once you manage that part, you take them to the South Transfer Station (behind the Pioneer Cemetery near Hiawatha and Lake). First you have to call for a "voucher," which is actually done electronically these days and is pretty easy. But bring something to read, because you may be waiting in line for a long time.

Start here:
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/solid-waste/vouchers/index.htm

[laramie]

Congrats on closet-clearing action! Adding pockets where they are lacking is a great idea!

I've recently seen an item on FB about a company that's developed a process for turning old tires into high grade rubber that can be reused for making new tires. (Can't recall their name offhand.)