Before you through out an old coat or sleeping bag, remove the zippers. The last time I had to replace a coat zipper, the zipper was almost the price of a new coat.
Also consider recycling old sleeping bags into dog beds, or donate to an animal shelter. But, remove the zipper first and save in the event you need to replace one.
You can also recycle an old sleeping bag (again, zipper removed) into a duvet-use 2 sheets sewn like a giant pillow case to enclose it, then tack down in a nice pattern.
By mom-from-missouri from NW Missouri
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I find that a great deal of things sold at thrift stores are 2nd hand but not used. I have found zippers still in their sleeves for .25, or a savings of about 900%.