15 Things To Toss From Your Home Before The New Year

darren - December 28, 2025

As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to declutter your home and make space for new opportunities. Saying goodbye to items that no longer serve a purpose can boost your mental wellness and give each room a refreshed look. Decluttering not only creates a more organized living space but also promotes mental clarity and reduces stress (ndtv.com). By removing unnecessary items, you can start the New Year feeling lighter and more focused. In this article, we’ll explore 15 common household items that are overdue for a one-way trip to the trash, recycling bin, or donation center. Let’s begin the New Year with a fresh, clutter-free home.

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1. Expired Pantry Foods

Begin your decluttering by inspecting your pantry for expired items. Check canned goods, spices, and snacks for outdated dates. Consuming expired foods can pose health risks and occupy valuable storage space. The FDA advises regularly reviewing food expiration dates to ensure safety and freshness. For more information on food dating and safety, visit fda.gov.

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2. Single-Use Plastic Bags

Plastic bags often accumulate in drawers and closets, seldom seeing a second use. Collect them for your local grocery store’s recycling program or switch to reusable totes. Reducing plastic usage not only minimizes clutter but also benefits the environment (nationalgeographic.com).

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3. Old Magazines and Newspapers

Old reading materials often pile up, yet most are never revisited. Unless you have sentimental reasons, recycling outdated magazines and newspapers frees up desk and shelf space. Recycling paper helps conserve resources and reduce landfill waste. For more on the importance of paper recycling, visit the EPA.

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4. Outgrown or Worn-Out Clothing

Closets often overflow with clothes that no longer fit, are out of style, or show significant wear. Donate usable items to charity, and recycle unwearable fabrics if possible. Reducing excess clothing keeps your closet functional and organized. Tips for responsible recycling can be found at Earth911.

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5. Expired or Unused Medications

Keeping expired or unneeded medications poses safety hazards for people and pets. Remove them from medicine cabinets and dispose of them properly at authorized drop-off locations. Improper disposal can harm the environment. Learn about safe disposal sites and guidelines through the FDA.

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6. Broken Electronics

Non-functional gadgets, remote controls missing buttons, and outdated electronics take up valuable space. Many communities offer e-waste recycling events, or consider donating items that can be repaired. Proper disposal keeps harmful materials out of landfills. Find recycling programs through the EPA’s e-cycling resources.

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7. Unused Cables and Chargers

Tangles of old phone chargers, mysterious cables, or outdated chargers accumulate easily but often serve no purpose. Keep only the ones you use and responsibly recycle the rest. Many electronics stores accept cables for recycling. For more recycling tips, visit Best Buy’s electronics recycling page.

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8. Stale Cosmetics and Toiletries

Beauty products and skincare items have shelf lives. Using expired makeup can harm your skin. Sort through drawers to toss old nail polish, mascaras, and lotions. If unopened and unexpired, consider donating to local shelters. Check the FDA guide to cosmetics expiration.

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9. Worn-Out Linens and Towels

Threadbare towels, sheets with holes, or faded pillowcases rarely get used but monopolize linen closet space. Repurpose them as cleaning rags or donate to animal shelters, which often accept gently used linens. The Humane Society lists needed donations for shelters (humanebroward.com).

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10. Unused Kitchen Gadgets

Kitchen drawers often hide unused or broken gadgets—like old can openers, novelty gadgets, or chipped mugs. Donate what is functional and dispose of the rest. Clearing your kitchen of clutter increases efficiency and space for meal prep. Discover kitchen organization tips from goodhousekeeping.com.

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11. Mismatched Food Containers

Every kitchen collects plastic containers missing lids or bottoms. Matching up the sets and recycling or repurposing the rest prevents chaos in your cabinet. Switching to a few quality sets cuts down on plastic clutter. Learn more about food storage safety at foodsafety.gov.

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12. Excess Paperwork

Bills, receipts, manuals, and other documents can quickly stack up. Shred outdated paperwork and digitize important files to save space. Regularly decluttering paperwork reduces stress and creates a streamlined workspace. For tips on what documents to keep or toss, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s guide on protecting your personal information.

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13. Unloved Books

Books can be treasured possessions, but if your shelves are overflowing with titles you haven’t read or no longer care to keep, it’s time to donate. Libraries and charities often accept books in good condition. Learn about the impact of book donations at nypl.org.

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14. Outdated Decor

Decor trends change, and what was once stylish can make a room feel dated. If you haven’t displayed certain decor items in years, consider selling, donating, or recycling them. Refreshing décor helps your space feel more current and inviting. For tips on updating your space, see how to refresh your home with these simple updates at bhg.com.

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15. Old Greeting Cards and Wrapping Paper Scraps

Many people save greeting cards and leftover wrapping paper out of sentiment, but these can accumulate quickly. Keep only the most meaningful, and recycle or repurpose the others. Removing paper clutter frees drawers and closets for essentials. Tips for recycling paper materials are available from the EPA.

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