• Green Home Products, San Francisco-based online directory that strives to be a community-based resource with a combination of tips, case studies, expert Q&A articles and regional directories of products and services. Clickable map provides guide to local resources: http://www.greenhomeguide.com/index.php/directories/

• Green Pages: Co-op America screens for businesses that actively use their businesses as tools for positive social change; run "values-driven" enterprises that operate according to principles of social justice and environmental sustainability; are socially and environmentally responsible in the way they source, manufacture, and market their products and run their offices and factories; and are committed to developing and employing extraordinary practices that benefit workers, customers, communities, and the environment. http://www.coopamerica.org/pubs/greenpages/

• Green Shift:  Consumers and investors can send a strong message to business by shifting their spending and investing to green and fair trade businesses committed to helping, not harming, people and the planet.  Here are some ideas for products from athletic wear to toys and games: http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/rs/greenshift.cfm

• Map of Sustainable Enterprises, Washington, D.C.  http://www.sustainus.org/mambo/docs/dc.pdf

• Craig’s List, barter section (has used items for sale): http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/bar/

• D.C. Thrift Stores: http://yellowpages.aol.com/outlets-discount-and-thrift/thrift-shops/dc/washington/

• National Thrift Store Directory: http://thethriftshopper.com/sections/directory/ Searchable by zipcode

• Vintage Stores, guide and list: http://www.jitterbuzz.com/vinest.html

• Washington Thrift Shoppers Meetup Group, A local gathering of bargain shoppers exchanging stories, info, tips, and hints on finding the best bargains. Bartering, trading, freecycling, donating to other members of the group. http://thriftshoppers.meetup.com/89/?gj=sj7

• Books, CDs, DVDs trading: http://www.smartmoney.com/dealoftheday/index.cfm?story=20060224&pgnum=1

• CD swap - http://www.lala.com/ 

• Craigslist, Barter section: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/bar/

• Swap Thing: http://www.swapthing.com/index.do  This is the D.C. location; you can also swap with anyone on the list throughout the world. 

• Time Dollar Network – system for creating grassroots economy: http://www.timekeeper.org/whatis.html

• U-Exchange – Online barter system: http://www.u-exchange.com/barter101.asp

• Useful Services Exchange, Reston: http://use.restonweb.com/ USE is a group of members who trade services with fellow members for credit hours. No money is exchanged, except for expenses.

How do I care for my possessions? What effect does cleaning have on my home? My family and friends? My health? The Earth? How much cleaning is necessary?

• Earthshare guide to home cleaning: http://www.earthshare.org/tips/friendlyclean.html

• Earth Easy recipes for eco-friendly cleaning products: http://www.eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions.htm

• Earth-friendly laundry: http://www.earthshare.org/tips/greenwash.html

• Eco-friendly Cleaning Products (pdf): http://www.nwei.org/ecotips/EcoCleaners.pdf

• Make Your Own Laundry Soap – step by step guide: http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/laundrysoap.htm

• Non-toxic Household Products: http://www.ecomall.com/greenshopping/nthouseholdproducts.htm

• Earth Easy Guide to Sustainable Wear: http://www.eartheasy.com/wear_tips.htm

• General description: (environmentally friendly form of dry cleaning): http://www.earth911.org/usa/master.asp?s=lib&a=shopsmart/tech.html

Maryland

• Prestige...Exceptional Fabricare
  9420 Georgia Ave.
  Silver Spring, MD 20910
  Phone: 301-588-0333

Virginia

• McLean Drapery & Rug Cleaning
  1407 Chain Bridge Rd.
  McLean, VA 22101
  Phone: 703-356-5321
• Imperial Gown Restoration Co.
  2814-C Merrilee Dr.
  Fairfax, VA 22031
  Phone: 703-573-8989

Washington, D.C.

• District Fur Storage
  33 Patterson St. NE
  Washington DC 20002
  Phone: 202-898-4160

What is the value of these items to my life? Do I really need all of them? Could someone else use them?  Can I love them and still let them go?

• Books – Many places accept used books. Also check out http://www.frugalreader.com and www.paperbackswap.com, and http://www.bookins.com/

• Craig’s List, free stuff (you can list what you want to give away): http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/zip/

• Computers: If it can’t be refurbished or reused, take to Hazardous Waste site near you. Here is DC’s page: http://dpw.dc.gov/dpw/cwp/view,a,1200,q,575102.asp   And here are tips about how to donate computers: http://thesource.ofallevil.com/Education/TenTips.mspx   Here is a list of places accepting donated computers in the D.C. area, compiled by the D.C. Bar Association: http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/sections/computer_and_telecommunications_law/recycling.cfm And here's a place in Fairfax/Alexandria: Keep it Green Computer Recycling http://www.ourpeoplework.org/content.asp?contentid=381

• De-Clutter (advice from Flylady on procedure): http://www.flylady.net/pages/FLYingLessons_Declutter.asp

• Donating Non-cash Items: How-to guide from Charity Navigator: http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm/bay/content.view/cpid/335; list of which charity takes what found here: http://www.charitablechoices.org/whoaccepts.asp

• Donating Vehicles: Charity Navigator provides these tips for donating vehicles: http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm/bay/content.view/cpid/158

• E-cycling: http://www.eiae.org/  Clickable by state. Find places to recycle, especially electronics.

• Junk Mail, good website with FAQs: http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs4-junk.htm

• Freecyle: Internet group where you can post items you have to give away, and see what others are getting rid of. Organized by town. Go here to the main page, and then sign up for your local group:  http://www.freecycle.org/ You can also look for free items on freecycle and have them send you an alert when the item comes up. Go here: http://www.freecyclefinder.org/finder

• Freeing Ourselves from Our Possessions (Quaker Earthcare Witness pamphlet): http://www.quakerearthcare.org/Publications/WebPamphlets/possessions.htm

• Junk in the Trunk (a removal service) Frank Coyne,
  202-667-5488 www.jitt.com

• Maryland Recycles Donation Directory: http://www.mdrecycles.com/donationDirectory.asp?sec=appliances

• Montgomery County UseItAgain Program: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/apps/dpwt/solidwaste/useitagain/

• Recycling various materials (website organized in Arlington, VA but includes a number of organizations outside of the county): http://www.co.arlington.va.us/Departments/EnvironmentalServices/swd/EnvironmentalServicesSwdOtherMat.aspx

• Reuse and Recycling Programs (search by zipcode): http://www.earth911.org/usa/master.asp?s=ls&a=Recycle&cat=1&serviceid=