As spring cleaning gets underway, many people wonder what to do with items they no longer want or need. In clearing items out, consider whether you want to sell it, donate it, trash it, or recycle it.

If you're looking for some extra cash, consider hosting a tag sale or selling items online with Craigslist or a Facebook tag sale group. Sometimes it's easier and quicker to gather items to donate. Many local organizations accept donations and there are even some that will pick up items right from your house.

While there are some items that will go right into the trash, there are ways to recycle a number of items and materials. Many towns host collections for various items such as hazardous waste, electronics, prescription drugs, large appliances, and more with information to be found through your town's public works department.

This past fall, recycling got easier as recycling rules were standardized across the State of Connecticut. By visiting recyclect.com, residents can enter an item and the website will tell you how to recycle it.

Some common examples include:

Pizza Boxes

In the recycle bin without food and liners.

Plastic Shopping Bags

Participating retail locations offer recycling bins or reuse for shopping, as trash can liners, or dog litter pickup bags.

Batteries

Non-rechargeable batteries can be thrown in the trash; rechargeable batteries are collected at some retailers (visit call2recycle.org for locations).

Expired Medications

Most over-the-counter medications can be disposed of in the garbage (not flushed in the toilet). Some pharmacies offer low-cost disposal envelopes and some towns host prescription drug take-back days.

Paint

Visit paintcare.org to find a drop-off site near you.

Cleaning Chemicals, Engine Oil, Pool Chemicals

Must be brought to a Household Hazardous Waste collection event or center. Collection dates are posted on the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection's website (ct.gov/deep). In New Haven County, call the Regional Water Authority at 203-401-2712; in Middlesex County, call the Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments at 860-581-8554.

Ink Cartridges

Can be refilled or recycled at major retailers.

Appliances

Recycle at local electronic collection or town transfer station. Some major retailers also offer recycling programs.

Old Cell Phones and Accessories

Recycle with a major service provider or electronics retailer.

Donation Drop-Off Locations

Adult and Teen Challenge Thrift Shop

785 West Main St., Branford

203-483-3124

BH Care Clothing Bank

30 Harrison Ave., Branford

203-483-2643

Christian Community Action

168 Davenport Ave., New Haven

203-777-7848

Columbus House

586 Ella Grasso Blvd., New Haven

203-401-4400

EcoWorks

262 State St., New Haven

203-498-0710

Estuary Council of Seniors Thrift Shop

220 Main St., Old Saybrook

860-388-1611

Hole in the Wall Consignment and Thrift Shop

35 Boston St., Guilford

203-453-2088

Goodwill Attended Donation Centers

1151 West Main St., Branford

203-777-2000

725 Boston Post Rd., Guilford

203-453-5995

432 Washington Ave., North Haven

203-752-5307

369 East Main St., Clinton

860-664-9211

Homemaker Thrift Shop

4 Brushy Plains Plaza Branford

203-481-5161

Old Stone Church Thrift Shop

251 Main St., East Haven

203-467-2907

SARAH's Cupboard Thrift Shop

155 Meadow St., Branford

203-481-4052

Donation Pickup Services

Pickupplease.org to benefit Vietnam Veterans of America

newhavencountyrestore.org/donate to benefit Habitat for Humanity

bbbsswct.org to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters

satruck.org/Donate/choose to benefit Salvation Army