There is often a lot of research that goes into purchasing new items. Granted, some things we buy are impulse buys. We don’t think, we just add to cart. However, for large, expensive, or important purchases, there is some amount of research involved. We want to be sure we are purchasing items that are going to meet our need and bring enjoyment.

Let’s use the example of purchasing a recreational vehicle (RV). This is a big-ticket item that I’m sure we can agree most people would research. It would not be an impulse buy.  When purchasing a RV, we want to be sure there is enough sleeping space for the family. Do we need a kitchen area? A shower? Heat and/or air conditioning? Not to mention, once the parameters for the perfect RV are set, I’m sure that people will shop at least two RV stores to be sure they are getting a good price. 

There are other costs involved with an RV other than purchasing the item itself. Do you have a vehicle to tow the RV or will you have to rent one? Where will the RV be parked? Can it be parked at your home, or will you have to rent a storage space for it? Will it be in a long-term camp site? Are you able to weatherize it and make repairs yourself, or are those services for which you will have to pay?

With all the research involved with such an item, one thing that is often overlooked is disposal. If not overlooked, then disposal is acknowledged with only a fleeting thought. What happens when you no longer want the RV? Well, I will sell it, is probably the fleeting thought.

The disposal of items we purchase is not something we typically think about when bringing new items into our homes. Well, maybe you do think about disposal. For me, this is something that has recently become a point of focus as disposal is becoming increasingly difficult.

There are many minimalist blogs and articles that talk about downsizing and then donating your items. Take them to Goodwill! Take them to the Thrift Store / Salvation Army / insert name of charitable organization here. 

What if you live in a place that does not have a Goodwill, a secondhand shop, or other place to donate items? This is the situation in which I now live. The secondhand shop we had that took donations closed recently. It is becoming increasingly difficult to get rid of things. 

If you do not donate items, another idea is a garage sale. However, people do not want to pay for things anymore. Have you held a garage sale recently? They are more trouble than what you get in money. I have put items outside with a free sign only to have them sit there all day, untaken. Sometimes you cannot even give things away. 

I am now consciously thinking of disposal whenever I purchase something. How will I get rid of this once it has outlived its use? What will I do with this item if we move? If it does not move with me, it will need to go someplace. 

The nearest Goodwill or secondhand shop to me is now an hour away. That’s quite a drive to donate items. If I’m going to do that drive, it better be a good day with a car packed full of items.

Some soft items are easier to dispose. Old blankets, sheets and towels can be donated to the animal shelter for reuse there. Old clothes and other soft items can go in donation bins in town that accept textiles. Books and DVDs can be donated to Little Free Libraries.

However, for home décor or other large items such as furniture, sports equipment, or basically anything not soft, there is no place for those items to go to keep them out of a landfill. Last spring, I put some large items out (including a bookcase) out front for free and it took all day for them to be taken. This spring I will be putting two Adirondack lawn chairs and some other large items out front for free. I’m hoping they will be taken. It’s getting increasingly difficult to get rid of things now even when you are giving them away for free. 

Something to think about when making a purchase is how you will dispose of an item. For those of us who live in rural areas without many resources, it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep things out of landfills when even the secondhand stores go out of business. People just don’t have money to spend anymore. 

Most of what I am purchasing now tends to be consumables (meaning: food). I am trying to minimize the house as much as possible for a potential move or for when we must flee the house due to increasing violence from the neighbors. The less stuff I must move, the better. 

For those who have a Goodwill in your area, they are great places to make donations when you are downsizing and minimizing. For those of us in areas without secondhand stores, we must really think of disposal when purchasing new items.