Toss, reuse, sell, recycle.

When it comes to getting rid of stuff, knowing what to throw out is only part of the equation. You also have to figure out what to do with it.

Here's a guide to getting rid of the things you don't use, need or even want:

BOOKS

If books are overcrowding shelf or basket space, it's time to reassess, said Erica Ecker, owner of the organizing company, The Spacialist, in New York City. Did the book change your life? Do you get nostalgic when you see the binding?

Sell newer books on sites like Amazon.com or Half.com, an eBay company with fixed prices and no listing fees.

If the book is autographed, a first edition or was written by a high-profile author who has died, consider listing it on eBay, said Marsha Collier, author of eBay for Dummies. (Half.com sellers can choose to have their listings show up on eBay product pages at no extra cost.)

You can also donate books to a charity, such as an organization that promotes literacy, or take them to an independent book seller for money or credit, said Standolyn Robertson, president of the National Association of Professional Organizers.

CLOTHES

Get rid of clothes that are too small, especially if you haven't been able to wear them for more than a year, said Yahoo! Shine's fashion and beauty editor, Jennifer Romolini.

''Your wardrobe needs to be about practicality, not hope,'' she said.

Do not donate clothes that are unwearable, Romolini said.

``If something has a tiny tear or button missing, that's one thing; if a piece is practically torn in two or forever-stained, throw it in the trash.''

For consignment, most shops only take high-end pieces that are in excellent condition, Romolini said. While some take lesser quality clothing, it might not be worth the time. She once received $11 for an entire bag of clothes, which barely covered her transportation to the store.

Designer/name brand and new or barely worn items will fetch the highest bids on eBay, Romolini said.

Be honest about the condition, be descriptive about the color, size and fabric and make sure you spell the designer's name correctly, Collier said. Include photos.

ELECTRONICS

Get rid of an old gadget or appliance as soon you get a new one, said Christopher Null, Yahoo! Tech columnist. He said gadgets and tech products lose value quickly, so the longer you wait, the more worthless they become.

Check eBay to see if the gadget is worth something. Make sure to look at actual sales, not listings with initial prices that didn't get any bids, he said.

''You'll usually get a better price on eBay rather than trying to sell it in a more limited venue, like Craigslist,'' he said.

If you can't sell it, consider donating or recycling it. Staples recycles used computers, monitors, desktop printers and fax machines even if the item wasn't purchased there. There is a recycling fee of $10 per large item.

GreenDisk (www.greendisk.com) accepts everything from cellphones to laptop computers to iPods. Pack items in your own box, print a label from the site and ship. The cost for disposal of up to 20 pounds is $6.95. GreenDisk will also send you a collection box and pick it up for an additional charge.

ENTERTAINMENT

Check with your local library to see if it wants old VHS tapes, said Vicki Norris of Vicki Norris' Restoring Order in Portland, Ore.

''Let the cassette tapes go unless you have a tape player in your car, and can and will listen to them while you're commuting,'' she said.