Declutter, Donate, and Dispose: Spring Cleaning in Williamson County
Spring is a traditional time for cleaning and decluttering, inviting a fresh start as the season changes. But what do you do with the overflowing piles of unwanted items? This article will guide you through your options for responsibly disposing of unwanted items during your spring cleaning efforts. We’ll explore donation opportunities to help those in need, consigning options, and proper disposal methods for those trickier items. Get ready to transform your home and the environment with a sustainable spring clean!
Give Back: Donation Opportunities in Williamson County
Spring cleaning in Williamson County, Tennessee isn’t just about freshening up our homes; it also offers a chance to help others. As you sort through items you may no longer need, many local organizations are happy to give these goods a second chance, benefiting those in need while supporting sustainability. Donating gently used clothing, furniture, and household items can make a real difference in our community and reduce waste.
Here, we’ve compiled a list of platforms and organizations where you can donate your goods. From local community groups to specialized charities, these avenues ensure your items find a new life with someone who values them, all while promoting a culture of generosity and sustainability.
GraceWorks Ministries Inc
GraceWorks Ministries is a Christ-centered nonprofit organization serving the community since 1995. They provide a wide range of services including food, shelter, and support to assist those in need. The organization operates a thrift store in Franklin, Tennessee offering affordable clothing, furniture, and household items donated by the community, with proceeds supporting their mission to aid those in need.
Donation items accepted include clothing of all sizes, household decor items, appliances in good working order, LCD flat-screen televisions, and furniture. There is a lengthy list of items they cannot accept, so be sure to check before heading over.
Donations for the GraceWorks Thrift Store should be in good condition, free from fading, pet hair, tears, stains, and smoke. Clothing needs to be clean and packed in bags or boxes. For large donations, including furniture or items from estate sales, a 24-hour notice via email or phone is requested.
In addition to household items, Graceworks accepts donations of money, time, and food.
104 Southeast Pkwy, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 794-9055
Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee
Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee is dedicated to changing lives through education, training, and employment. Goodwill emphasizes a philosophy of providing support rather than direct aid and is a major employer for people with disabilities.
Their extensive network of 30 retail stores, 2 outlet stores, and over 50 donation centers makes donating items convenient. To streamline the process of donating large items, Goodwill offers a free pickup service in select areas, including parts of Davidson, Williamson, and other counties. This service caters to home cleanouts, moving projects, estate clearings, event leftovers, and limited business pickups. Schedule a home pickup by calling (615) 425-0100 or by filling out their online form.
Click here for a complete list of accepted items. To find your nearest drop-off location or retail store, click here.
Habitat for Humanity Williamson Maury
Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury (HFHWM) is a non-profit Christian ministry that builds and sells energy-efficient homes at affordable prices to families unable to secure conventional loans. HFHWM relies on volunteer labor and donations to construct these homes.
You can support Habitat for Humanity by donating your unwanted items to ReStore. They accept a wide variety of furniture, appliances, building materials, and more. Your donations will be sold, with proceeds used to build energy-efficient homes for families in need. Plus, you’ll be helping the environment by keeping reusable items out of landfills. Click here to see a list of items they accept.
1725 Columbia Ave #110, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 690-8094
Freecycle.org
Freecycle is a nonprofit organization that connects people who want to give away unwanted items with people who can use them. It’s a great way to reduce waste, save money, and help out your community. Freecycle is free to join and use, and there are groups all over the world, including Franklin, Spring Hill, Fairview, and Nashville.
Buy Nothing Project
Buy Nothing Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to building strong, local communities through gift-giving. They offer a free app and online platform where you can give away unwanted items or request something you need. The project stipulates that all gifts should be given freely, without any strings attached or expectations of rewards beyond the joy of giving. This excludes any forms of buying, selling, bartering, or trading.
Joining is easy—simply download the app or find your local group on Facebook: South Franklin/Thompson Station, Franklin West, Franklin East, or Brentwood.
Clutter to Cash: Consignment Stores in Williamson County
If you’re sorting through belongings and find gently used items that seem too valuable to give away, consignment shops might be your answer. These shops act as intermediaries, connecting people who want to sell their items with those looking to buy. For those interested in decluttering while recouping some financial value, or for anyone seeking sustainable shopping choices, consignment shops offer an attractive alternative.
Plato’s Closet Cool Springs
Plato’s Closet buys and sells gently used clothing, shoes, handbags, and accessories targeted towards teens and young adults. The store offers a variety of popular brands, including American Eagle, Free People, Nike, Urban Outfitters, and Adidas, among others, at prices up to 70% lower than typical retail costs. Customers looking to sell their items can receive immediate cash payments for products that are currently in fashion and in excellent condition. Plato’s Closet accepts items for all seasons throughout the year without the need for an appointment.
1731 Mallory Ln #107, Brentwood, TN 37027, (615) 309-8906
Classy Cat Consignment Furniture
Classy Cat offers a consignment process for those looking to sell their gently used furniture and home decor items. For small decor, such as lamps or artwork, consignors should call to book an approval appointment. Furniture and larger items require a completed consignment application. The consignment term is 120 days, offering consignors 50% of the sales price if sold within 90 days, and 25% after that.
91 Seaboard Ln #100, 101, Brentwood, TN 37027, (615) 377-7738
Once Upon A Child Franklin
Once Upon A Child is a consignment store in Franklin that pays cash on the spot for a variety of gently used items for boys, girls, and babies. They are interested in clothing, footwear, toys, and baby gear that meet current safety standards and have no recalls. Click here for a detailed list of what they buy.
7090 Bakers Bridge Ave, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 790-8081
Smart Disposal: Making the Most of Franklin and Williamson County Services
Spring cleaning isn’t just about cleaning out closets. When it comes to decluttering your garage and outdoor spaces, or disposing of larger items, Williamson County offers services and facilities to make the process straightforward.
Williamson County Solid Waste Department
The Williamson County Solid Waste Department manages waste disposal and recycling for Williamson County. They operate a landfill and recycling facilities as well as 10 Convenience Centers throughout the county.
Williamson County Convenience Centers are exclusively for the use of county residents, who are permitted to bring up to 3 cubic yards (about one pickup truck load) of waste from their primary residence per day. For amounts exceeding this limit, the landfill will accept larger or multiple loads for free up to 5 tons per year, with proof of residency required. Commercial waste, including that from rental properties, is not accepted at Convenience Centers and must be taken to the landfill, where commercial rates will apply.
All Convenience Centers accept a range of items for disposal and recycling, including residential household garbage, brush, construction and demolition waste. They also accept specific recyclable materials such as metals, cans, aluminum, plastics #1 and #2 (excluding plastic bags), glass, paper, cardboard, used motor oil, and used cooking oil.
Some Convenience Centers feature attended Goodwill Donation Express Centers for larger items, while others are equipped with unattended Goodwill donation bins. Click here for Convenience Center locations
5750 Pinewood Rd, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 790-0742
City of Franklin Sanitation and Environmental
In addition to managing everyday trash and recycling, The Sanitation and Environmental Services Department of Franklin manages the disposal of bulky items as well as batteries, oil, paint, antifreeze, and electronic waste (BOPAE), as well as expired medications.
City of Franklin residents can arrange the pickup of bulky items like beds, couches, chairs, desks, and mattresses by calling Sanitation and Environmental Services. Special items like wooden playsets and patio furniture incur a fee. For large appliances, call Sanitation and Environmental Services at (615) 794-1516.
For BOPAE, items may be dropped off at 417 Century Ct, Franklin, TN 37064. Any liquids you bring to BOPAE must be in their original labeled containers.
For residents with unlabeled liquids or hazardous materials, the Williamson County Solid Waste Department’s next annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event is scheduled for Saturday, May 4, 2024, from 8 am to 1 pm at the Williamson County Administrative Complex, 1320 West Main Street, Franklin, TN.
If your spring cleaning has turned up expired medications, you can dispose of them safely at the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office in Franklin. Prescription drugs should be out of their original containers and in a sealed plastic bag. Drop-off is available Monday to Friday, 9 am to 3:30 pm at 408 Century Court. Please note that liquids, powders, OTC medications, inhalers, lancets, syringes, and sharp objects are not accepted.
Maximize Your Spring Clean: Declutter with Purpose in Williamson County
Whether you’re donating, selling, or even discarding unwanted items, Williamson County offers a variety of resources to assist in managing your spring cleaning efforts effectively. Utilizing these resources not only helps you freshen up your home but also ensures that items can benefit others, earn you some value back, or be responsibly thrown away if they’re no longer usable. Here’s to a productive and responsible spring cleaning season!
