When I'm organizing, I'm always looking for ways to do so in a way that is eco-friendly. That means I try to put organizing methods in place that save money, control clutter, and reduce waste...thus keeping our environment green and healthy.
Here are a few eco-friendly organizing ideas you can put into place today.
1. Donate before ditching. Yes, some things have to be thrown away, but a lot of what we consider to be clutter can be donated. The dusty craft supplies you haven't used in years could be a "dream find" for someone else. The old, ratty towels you're done with could be used as soft bedding for
a dog or cat at your local Humane Society. The costume jewelry you have accumulated could be given to a local theater group. Always choose to donate before ditching. You'll be helping someone else out, and you won't be adding more stuff to the landfill.
2. Upcycle. We've all heard of recycling, but have you heard of upcycling? Upcycling is reusing something you have (or parts of something you have) and creating something else that is fun and functional, often ending up in something that's an even higher value than the original item. For
instance, I've seen crafty people turn old ladders into beautiful shabby-chic plant displays, rustic book shelves, and many-tiered shoe organizers!
3. Repurpose boxes. Cardboard boxes can easily be covered with decorative paper, contact
paper, or even decoupaged and used as pretty storage containers.
4. Reuse glass jars. Glass jars are wonderful organizing tools. They can hold paintbrushes, nails, kitchen utensils, or you can even grow green onions in them! These can be mason jars you have laying around, or food product jars. Just remove the label and you have an instant organizing container that you can use as-is, or that you can paint, label, etc.
5. If you buy an organizing product, try to choose one that is sustainable. This means that is is made of recyclable or renewable materials. These might be drawer dividers made out of bamboo or a rattan desk organizer.
6. Go as paperless as possible. If you don't need the actual paper, stop it from being sent to you. One option is to switch to paperless bill paying, another is removing yourself from printed catalog mailing lists (most stores are online these days), and yet another is opting for paperless
versions of insurance booklets fund prospectuses, etc. You know...those thick booklets that hardly anyone opens or reads.
When it comes to organizing, it's easy and smart to be green!
