Considering pitching my junk wax...

[pokerplyr80]

I remember a post a while back from a teacher who did something with junk era cards as rewards for students. Seemed like a cool idea. I'd call a local school and see if they want them before I would toss them away.

[AGuinness]

I'm still in the process of doing this. I'm keeping cards that really stood out from my childhood (the 1987 Topps set really roped me in), but donating most everything else. I found a nonprofit in my city that was interested in them a couple years ago, so I gave one 5k box to them (that was tax deductible).
Another option is http://commons4kids.org. I sent a large flat-rate box full of cards to them last month (including a Griffey Jr. 89 UD that Net54 member maximus35 sent to me for no compensation - thanks again!). They donate the cards to a variety of organizations (donations to commons4kids are not tax-deductible though).
I've found that finding a local nonprofit can take a little time. I'm going to put together another 5k box soon to donate, and reached out to a local group last night. The email I got in response noted that they wouldn't be able to use them and suggested I do an online search to find an organization that could (gee - where did they think I found their information to send them an email?).
As for the space it creates, I'm someone who prefers empty space to clutter, so even if I'm not planning on using it for anything else, donating and de-cluttering is the way to go.

[steve B]

Only 2-3 regular boxes?

That's not taking up much space, especially if its the little ones. Even 2-3 5000 count boxes isn't bad.

[mrmopar]

If you don't want to spend the time to donate them, post on Craigs list. I tossed some REAL junk (early late 80s/early 90s basic sets like Score, Fleer, Donruss, Tops with no stars or semistars even) into a box (maybe 3-5K worth) and it wasn't even a card box but an old brown shipping box, posted the ad with a FREE - first come first served disclaimer, put it on the curb and they were gone within the hour of posting them. Now maybe the person who claimed them ended up disappointed with what they got, but no longer my problem and I didn't trash or burn them.

Someone will want them for some reason. Art project (look no further than Tim Carroll for example), school, even resale in some cases. No need to destroy them.

[insidethewrapper]

I think some business buys at about 1/5 a cent per card and then repackages and sells in discount dollar stores across the country. I can't remember the Company at this time. I did sell 1 Million commons several years ago for $ 2k ( .002/card). Better than recyling. Not sure of the current buying price. If someone knows a company that buys in commons bulk please list.

If everyone continues to recycle these , maybe some day they will be worth .01/card.

[jchcollins]

Thanks all for the replies. I did consolodate yesterday, but in the end I couldn't do it. '89 Donruss and '91 Fleer will live to see another day! LOL. In going through the boxes, I didn't find anything of tremendous value (I knew I wouldn't...) but I did find a few things of sentimental value - like a price sticker from a long gone favorite card shop in Charlotte, NC - that brought back a lot of memories. I'm sure it's worthless to about anyone else, but to me now this is a collection piece.

The rest of you are right, this really isn't taking up a lot of space - and in the end depending on how long I make it, I'm sure 1990's cards will be fun to look at as a senior citizen...

[HasselhoffsCheeseburger]

Atta boy! That's the spirit! Three cheers!

Arthur

[Exhibitman]

I bought a collection recently that was about 80% junk wax era materials. I tried to sell them to my LCS, but they didn't even want them for free. They said they just chuck them at this point. I went through and pulled whatever cards interested me (primarily the superstars) and then put the rest into recycling.

[conor912]

Originally Posted by jchcollins

Thanks all for the replies. I did consolodate yesterday, but in the end I couldn't do it. '89 Donruss and '91 Fleer will live to see another day! LOL. In going through the boxes, I didn't find anything of tremendous value (I knew I wouldn't...) but I did find a few things of sentimental value - like a price sticker from a long gone favorite card shop in Charlotte, NC - that brought back a lot of memories. I'm sure it's worthless to about anyone else, but to me now this is a collection piece.

The rest of you are right, this really isn't taking up a lot of space - and in the end depending on how long I make it, I'm sure 1990's cards will be fun to look at as a senior citizen...

I have some boxes from childhood I have picked through through the years, but I find every time I do, I find something new that puts a smile on my face. I agree, unless that space is to be used for something you love more, keep them.

[avery1328]

Give them out as trick or treat next halloween

[steve B]

I check the stores every year hoping Topps brings back the fun packs... Totally futile.

[Gary Dunaier]

Dump 'em on the floor and swim in 'em...

(2:15 at the link)

[smrtn240]

give them to a young "generation alpha" getting into the hobby