This New Year some of us may be making room for a new kitchen gadget, sofa or maybe a TV. Often a new home can be found for furniture and electronic items if they are in working order. They do not have to end up in landfill.

If you are thinking of throwing out the old to make room for the new, here are some ideas on what to do with items that are in working order, but you no longer need:

• Donate them to charity

British Heart Foundation (free) Mitcham – furniture and electricals

Emmaus (free) Wallington – furniture, electricals and clothing

Relate Morden – furniture

• Give them away through Freecycle
• Make yourself some cash and sell them on gumtree, music magpie or e-bay

These are just a few of the options available.

Giving items away or selling them are two ways we can all cut down on waste.