I've been really diligent recycling as much as possible. While cleaning the house, I always run across items that I want to donate but if I don't set it aside immediately, the items wind up collecting dust in a pile somewhere.  So I have three bins set up next to each other in my kitchen: a traditional garbage container, a recycling container and a large donation bin.  Ever since I've set aside the donation bin, I have accumulated and identified a lot more items to donate and give away.  Once the donation bin is close to being filled, I bring it to the local preschool that uses the gently used clothes as emergency clothes for kids and appreciate the gently used functional toys.  I have also found that items that wind up in the donation bin get additional mileage out of them as well.  My kids rediscover the joy of playing with these items and some items wind up back into circulation in my house, which I am okay with, as long as the items are being used.