Kermit the frog’s song, “it ain’t easy being green” echoes in my brain each time I deal with trash that isn’t quite trash, you know the stuff I mean?   The stuff that’s not really good enough to donate but still it seems a shame to just throw it out.  So, if you are clearing out closets in preparation for the change of season, here’s a few places where you might recycle items that aren’t good enough to donate:

Old Running Shoes get a new life as basketball and tennis courts when you send them to Nike’s Reuse a Shoe program.

Scraps of fabric, old quilts, neckties are all welcome at My Brother’s Keeper where these items are used to create “ugly quilts” that are then distributed to the homeless.

Worn, slightly torn, faded or stained bedding and towels can still be used by animal shelters. Call the one nearest you for details.

You can also find many companies on-line who will transform an old fur coat that’s seen better days into an heirloom teddy bear or stitch your favorite sweat-stained sports team shirts into a keepsake quilt.

So, what neat things do you do with your worn out “stuff”?