Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
A food processor that is not being used, clothes that are the wrong size, old books and magazines that no one reads – sometimes people keep things for years that "maybe someday they will come in handy". But as a rule, they remain unused, taking up space in the house. Read on to find out why it is important to get rid of clutter, where in Moscow you can donate unnecessary things and how they can help other people.
Why it's hard to get rid of unnecessary things
Order in a house or apartment is the absence of not only dust and dirt, but also unnecessary items. Sorting out things and getting rid of unnecessary things (or, as this labor-intensive process is also called, decluttering) frees up space and allows you to organize it, and also develops flexibility of thinking, helps you learn to make constructive decisions and overcome excessive attachment to material things, says a psychologist from the Moscow psychological assistance service for the population of the capital Department of Labor and Social Protection population Ekaterina Igonina.
"In addition, some old things can be recycled, and unnecessary but in good condition can be given to those who will really need them. This is not only a manifestation of environmental responsibility and care for people. The realization that a person has helped someone brings him pleasure and can even increase his self-esteem," the specialist explains.
At the same time, according to Ekaterina Igonina, so-called decluttering and organizing space can cause difficulties, especially for those who have not done this before. As a rule, thoughts and emotions serve as obstacles to getting rid of junk. The most common misconception is that an old thing (even if it is in good condition) can still be useful, although it has been lying on the balcony for years without being used. In this case, it is worth being honest with yourself and giving the thing to someone who will definitely use it for its intended purpose, for example, neighbors, friends, relatives or people in need of help.
As the expert explains, the most important thing before decluttering is to ask yourself: “Why do I need this?” The answers can be different. For example, to tidy up, to make room for something really useful, or to relieve stress.
"You always have the right to decide what to keep, what to give up and in what quantities. Listen to yourself and your needs, regardless of fashion and someone else's advice. It is worth considering that getting rid of unnecessary things does not destroy the memory of the past. But if, for example, from a lot of children's clothing you want to keep a couple of baby clothes that will remind you of a happy period, then you do not need to forbid yourself this," the expert explains.
It is also important to celebrate successes and reward yourself for them. Have you sorted out your wardrobe? Treat yourself to a necessary and pleasant new thing or have a cup of coffee with dessert in a cafe.
How to Make Decluttering Easier
If you decide to do a general or seasonal cleaning and get rid of unnecessary things, the main rule is not to try to do it in the entire apartment at once. Act gradually. It is not the speed of the process that is important, but its organization.
"Take three large boxes and label them: "Throw away", "Give away", "Put aside". The things from the "Put aside" box can be reviewed again after some time. And what you decide to keep and what does not fit into any of the boxes, put back in the closet," advises Ekaterina Igonina.
To organize the process of sorting things out as efficiently as possible, it is better to make lists and checklists of objects where you need to clean up (kitchen cabinets, children's room, wardrobe). You can also use special applications for planning tasks. They synchronize with the calendar on your phone and create lists and reminders, as well as record the stages of the entire process. Timers and alarms help not only to wake up earlier and start cleaning, but also to clearly control the time allotted for this, for example, three hours a day.
Where can I donate things for recycling or charity?
Some unnecessary things should be thrown away. These may be small plastic, glass or ceramic items that can no longer be used, such as cracked or chipped dishes, as well as small wooden furniture parts, old clothes or rags with traces of mold or stains. However, they should be sorted, so some of the things can be recycled. How to do this is described inarticle.
A convenient place has been created in the capital waste sorting system. At each site in Moscow courtyards, containers of two colors are installed. Blue ones are intended for collecting recyclable materials, which will then be sent for recycling (glass, plastic, paper, metal), and gray ones are for mixed waste.
However, many things can be given a second life. For example, clothes or shoes that you no longer want to wear and that do not fit, as well as unclaimed books, will serve someone else. These and other things can be placed in one of the containers or taken to the collection points for unnecessary things of the project network "Ecopoints of Moscow", which are located throughout the capital.
"The collected clothes, shoes and books are sent to sorting points. After sorting and necessary processing, some of the items are donated to charity for those in need. Books that have retained their marketable appearance are given to rural libraries. Items and books that are unsuitable for further use are recycled. Such a careful and conscious approach allows us to significantly reduce the burden on the environment," says
Julia Urozhaeva, head of the capital's Department of Nature Management and Environmental Protection.
Project "Ecopoints of Moscow" has been operating since autumn 2024. In addition to clothing, footwear and textiles, books and paper products, you can hand over to specialized collection points electronics Andcar tires. In winter, points open where live New Year trees are brought after the holidays. The project website contains information map with more than 480 eco-points, so that it is easy to choose the most convenient one in terms of location.
How to get rid of unnecessary things without leaving home
An online service will help you tidy up your apartment or house, get rid of not only unnecessary clothes and books, but also old small and large household appliances, windows after renovation, furniture, a bathtub, and even a motorcycle or car "Removal of unnecessary things" on the mos.ru portal. It has been operating since October 2021.
Its main advantage is that you don’t have to take or take the items anywhere yourself, and you can hand in an unlimited number of items at a time. Clothes and books suitable for further use are sent to social sites, where they find new owners. The remaining items are taken to specialized environmentally friendly disposal and recycling points.
"Thanks to the "Removal of Unnecessary Things" service on mos.ru, Muscovites not only get rid of unnecessary things, but also take care of the environment. The service is provided by specialists from trusted organizations – partners of the service, who will carefully take the unnecessary things out of the apartment and lower them down to the truck, even if the building does not have an elevator. Then everything is taken to specialized recycling points. There, if necessary, they drain technical liquids, after which the items are crushed, then separated into ferrous and non-ferrous metals, plastic and other components. More than 85 percent of the components of the removed items are recycled and get a second life. They are sent to factories, where they are used as secondary raw materials in the production of new products. Thus, plastic, metal and rubber can become part of new packaging, furniture, household appliances and other household items, as well as metal structures and spare parts," explains Ilya Demin, First Deputy Head of the State Institution "New Management Technologies".
Today, the service "Removal of Unnecessary Things" presents a wide list of items that can be removed. And it is gradually expanding. For example, inDecember 2024 Metal sinks, sports equipment, shower cabins, acrylic bathtubs and office equipment are now available for removal.
When removing unnecessary things, several points must be taken into account. Books and clothes must be clean and free of defects and foreign odors. They are removed with a total volume of four large bags, boxes or eight standard bags.
As for household appliances, specialists will help to disconnect them from the power grid, but you will need to dismantle large appliances, such as built-in dishwashers, and also install a plug on the water pipes yourself. Gas stoves and appliances should only be disconnected by certified services. You can find out how to hand over a car or motorcycle for recycling inmaterial.
"The "Removal of Unnecessary Things" service on mos.ru is available to residents of all districts of the capital. Any adult Muscovite registered on the portal and having a standard or full account can leave a request for the removal of unnecessary things. It is enough to fill out an application in the service, selecting the necessary objects and their quantity, specify the address and the desired date and time of removal, and then agree with the operator on the details of the application and a convenient date and time. If the application was left before 18:00, the things will be removed on the same day, if possible," notes the deputy head of the capital's
Department of Information Technology Boris Frolov.
Clothes and books can be taken away for free. However, the removal of furniture, electronics and large household appliances is subject to a fee, as such items are more difficult to dispose of. However, thanks to the city's loyalty program "A Million Prizes" there is an opportunity to get rid of large-sized appliances without unnecessary expenses – unnecessary and broken refrigerators, stoves, washing machines and dishwashers. Using city points, you can get a promo code on the program's website and apply it when paying for the service. The nominal value of the promo code is 1.5 thousand rubles and is equal to the cost of removing one such item. If we are talking about two things, you will need to issue two promo codes. Users also have the opportunity to order the free service of removing large-sized household appliances in quantities of three or more units.
The promo code cannot be applied if there is equipment without parts, including equipment that does not contain basic metal elements such as a compressor (motor), condenser, drum, electronic unit, burners or grate. Such equipment is removed for a fee. You can read more about how to use the offer inarticle.
For the entire period of work in the service "Removal of unnecessary things" More than 120 thousand requests were received. On average, more than 100 requests are received per day. More than three thousand tons were taken away for environmentally friendly disposal and recycling. items. Among them, the largest number is large-sized equipment: over 30 thousand washing machines, over 30 thousand refrigerators and over 20 thousand kitchen stoves.
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Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
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