The average American home has 30,000 items, and decluttering can be overwhelming. But you don’t have to go cold turkey! Here’s how to declutter your space while reducing waste and making the world a better place.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Sustainable decluttering is possible by reducing waste, recycling, and repurposing items. |
| Minimalism can be an effective first step toward a more sustainable lifestyle. |
| Decluttering with sustainability in mind can help reduce our carbon footprint. |
| Sustainable decluttering involves being mindful of the environmental impact of the items we own. |
| Consious decluttering involves making choices based on personal values and sustainability. |
Donate Items
Donating your clothes, shoes, and accessories to charity is a great way to keep your things out of the landfill and give them a new life with someone else. You can also donate items that are still in good condition but no longer useful for you (think: books you’ve read).
If you want to make sure your donations go directly towards helping others and not into the pocketbook of a thrift store owner consider donating directly to charities.
The Salvation Army has 250 stores across America where they sell donated goods at extremely low prices. You can also search online for smaller organizations that are looking for specific types of items like clothing or furniture.
Minimalism can be the perfect first step to a more sustainable lifestyle. Start by reading our guide on minimalism meets sustainability and learn how decluttering can reduce your environmental impact.
Sell Items
If you’re not going to keep the items yourself, consider selling them. There are several places where you can do this.
eBay is a popular option for selling items on the internet. If someone is looking for an item like yours, they’ll find it there and be able to buy it from you directly.
Craigslist is another outlet for selling goods locally; however, some people may attempt to scam others with Craigslist postings (so always be careful).
Facebook marketplace is yet another option that allows users to sell goods directly to other people on Facebook without having any kind of web presence at all! If that sounds scary, remember that if anyone tries anything funny with Facebook marketplace they will automatically have their account taken down by Facebook itself (which happens often).
Recycle
In addition to the obvious items that you can recycle, there are a few things that most people don’t realize they can recycle. For example, did you know that you can recycle batteries and light bulbs? You can also recycle electronics such as microwaves and cell phones through some programs. If you don’t have access to these programs, it’s important to check with your municipality for specific guidelines on what is acceptable for recycling in your area.
If there is one thing I learned from this process, it’s that when it comes down to it all we really need is each other. That’s why I’m so excited about getting involved with my community!
By adjusting the way you organize and declutter, you can make your home more eco-friendly. Learn about eco-friendly organizing and discover simple ways to reduce your carbon footprint.
Find New Uses for Old Items
While it’s easy to get rid of things that you don’t need anymore, it’s also important to consider the environmental impact of your actions.
In other words, not only do you want to declutter your home so that it’s more organized and beautiful, but you also want to reduce your carbon footprint by reducing the amount of waste produced from those items.
One way you can do this is through re-purposing and reusing old items instead of throwing them away or recycling them. There are lots of things you can do with old items like clothing, toys and books:
Sell Them Online: You can sell practically anything on eBay or Craigslist if there isn’t anything wrong with it; even though some people think that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure (and vice versa), this doesn’t mean that everything has value in another person’s eyes!
You never know what someone else might be willing pay for something until they see it up close–and sometimes even then they’ll turn down an offer because they prefer something else instead…but if nothing else works out then there’s always Craigslist where many buyers go looking for deals like yours every day!
Donate Them To Charity Organizations: A lot of charities accept donations such as clothes or toys at their facilities; not only does this help them provide valuable services but also saves money which would otherwise go towards buying new stuff instead.”
Think Carefully Before Buying
When you are considering a new purchase, it is important to consider the environmental impact of that item. Before buying anything, ask yourself:
Is this something I want for myself or for my home? If not, is there another way I can get what I need?
What materials were used to make this product and how were they transported from the manufacturer to me? Do these materials come from sustainable sources or are they harmful to humans and/or animals? How much energy is required to produce and transport this item? Will my purchase cause harm in any way (to people, animals or ecosystems)?
Where did this item come from—was it made locally or somewhere else on earth; was it made by hand or by machine; what processes were used in its creation; who designed it; who made it; how long did it take them.
The key to sustainable decluttering is to reduce waste as much as possible. Get started by reading our guide on the sustainable way to declutter and find out how to organize your home without harming the environment.
Repair Instead of Replace
Repairing your items is an increasingly popular choice among environmentally conscious consumers, and it’s a great way to make sure your belongings last longer.
This can be anything from fixing broken buttons on clothing to repairing furniture and footwear. Here are some of the most common ways you can repair things:
Patchwork/mending: With this method, you may need to buy some thread or fabric glue depending on how much damage there is—and don’t forget that an iron is also helpful!
Stitching: Stitching will require something like a needle and thread (or sewing machine), but once again it’ll help keep the item in good shape for longer and make sure no more damage occurs. Just make sure the item isn’t too delicate before attempting this one!
| Advantages | Examples |
|---|---|
| Reduced waste | Patagonia’s Worn Wear program, The Renewal Workshop |
| Cost savings | iFixit guides, YouTube tutorials |
| Increased lifespan | Shoe repair services (e.g. Cobbler Concierge), electronics repair shops (e.g. uBreakiFix) |
| Enhanced sustainability | Repair-oriented brands (e.g. Patagonia, Looptworks) |
Buy Second-Hand Goods
If you want to buy something new, consider buying second-hand. There are lots of ways to do this. You can go to thrift stores, garage sales and online auctions.
You can also ask friends, family and neighbors if they have anything for sale.
It’s a great way to save money while helping the environment!
Reduce Packaging Waste
Reuse bags. If you have the choice to buy a plastic bag, take a reusable one instead. These can be cloth or paper, but they need to be sturdy enough that they won’t break open and spill their contents when you’re rushing around town.
Reuse boxes. Think about how many boxes you throw away every year from cereal boxes to shoe boxes to pizza delivery boxes and then think about how many times your family has actually bought something in a box that isn’t food!
It’s almost always possible for people who receive packages at home (like Amazon Prime members) or who order online (like everyone else) to get those items shipped in reusable packaging instead of using disposable cardboard eggs all the time. You might even need less packing material if there’s less space between items inside the box!
Reuse jars/bottles/containers from groceries or other stores where possible; don’t just toss them into the recycling bin once they’ve been opened up!
Some grocery stores may even offer discounts on certain products if they come back with their original containers filled with more food than is needed this could save both money and resources by reducing food waste while also providing extra incentive for finding new uses for leftover ingredients after cooking meals at home rather than eating out all day long every single mealtime (which would cost much more).
Achieving a clutter-free home and promoting sustainability can go hand in hand. Learn how to declutter while also reducing waste with The Sustainable Decluttering Guide.
Declutter Regularly
You can declutter your home in a weekend, but it all depends on how much you can realistically get done.
For example, if you were to decide that today was the day you would do all of the decluttering in your home, it may take you longer than expected and leave you exhausted by the end of the day.
We recommend that instead of doing everything at once, plan out what needs to be done according to a schedule or set of priorities so as not to exhaust yourself too quickly.
Here’s an example: First things first—plan some time each day (or week) where everyone pitches in together with items which don’t need any creative input from them!
Next up would be collecting large items like broken furniture or appliances which could take up space while they are being repaired or replaced; then move onto smaller items like clothes which are unusable yet still taking up space; finally evaluate whether there are any sentimental possessions worth keeping but no longer necessary for everyday use (this step might take more than just one day).
By breaking down this process into stages rather than trying to do everything at once we’re able see how far we’ve come without feeling overwhelmed by what’s left ahead!
| Advantages | Examples |
|---|---|
| Manageable tasks | Monthly or seasonal decluttering challenges (e.g.: “30-Day Minimalism Game,” “10-10-10 challenge”) |
| Increased productivity | Cleaner and less cluttered workspaces (e.g.: Marie Kondo’s Spark Joy method) |
| Improved mental health | Reduced stress and anxiety (e.g.: The Minimalists’ “Less is Now” documentary) |
| Enhanced organization | Efficient use of storage systems (e.g.: The Container Store, IKEA) |
Use Natural Cleaning Products
We’ve all heard the phrase “green cleaning,” but what does it mean? Green cleaners are products that are safe for you and the environment. They use less toxic ingredients and don’t leave chemical residue behind after being used.
Some of these products can be found at your local grocery store, while others need to be purchased online. The major benefit of using green cleaning products is that they’re safer than traditional cleaners, but they still get the job done!
Some examples of environmentally friendly cleaning supplies include: vinegar (to clean windows); baking soda (for scrubbing dishes); lemon juice (for scouring sinks); dish soap without phosphates (to wash dishes); distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle for surface disinfecting; liquid castile soap diluted with water as a toilet bowl cleaner; and hydrogen peroxide diluted with water as an all-purpose cleaner or window wash solution.
The decisions we make about decluttering can have an impact on the environment. For tips on how to minimize your carbon footprint while decluttering, check out our guide to the eco-friendly decluttering method.
Buy Reusable Goods
Reusable goods aren’t only a great way to reduce the amount of waste you produce, but they can also be more cost-effective. For example, a reusable water bottle is usually cheaper than buying bottled water.
The same goes for reusable shopping bags, which are much more affordable than the disposable ones you get at the grocery store.
Not only that, but when you buy reusable items like clothing and bedsheets, you won’t have to worry about replacing them as often as if they were made out of non-biodegradable materials or polyester (which isn’t exactly environmentally friendly).
| Benefits | Examples |
|---|---|
| Reduction of waste | Reusable grocery bags, cloth napkins, metal straws |
| Cost-effectiveness | Reusable water bottles (e.g.: Camelbak, Nalgene), silicone food bags (e.g.: Stasher), beeswax food wraps (e.g.: Bee’s Wrap) |
| Improved durability | Reusable razors (e.g.: Leaf, Merkur), cloth diapers (e.g.: BumGenius, Charlie Banana) |
| Increased convenience | Reusable K-Cups (e.g.: Keurig, mesh coffee filter) |
Conclusion
These tips and tricks can not only help you declutter your home but also reduce the amount of waste you produce.
By taking some time to think about the environmental impact of our daily choices, we can all take small steps towards living more sustainably.
Further Reading:
Mindful of the Home – Sustainable Decluttering Tips: This article offers a comprehensive guide on how to declutter sustainably by reducing waste, recycling, and repurposing items in your home.
Mindset Eco – Sustainable Decluttering: This post provides an overview of sustainable decluttering, including tips on how to get started and what to do with unwanted items.
BioFriendlyPlanet – Tips for Conscious Decluttering: This article promotes the concept of conscious decluttering, which encourages individuals to think intentionally about the items they own and to make choices that align with their values.
FAQs:
What is sustainable decluttering?
Sustainable decluttering refers to decluttering your home in a way that reduces waste and promotes eco-friendly practices by recycling, repurposing, donating, or reselling unwanted items.
How can I start decluttering sustainably?
To start decluttering sustainably, you can begin by reducing your consumption, donating to charity, repurposing or reusing items, recycling and upcycling, and being mindful of the environmental impact of the items you own.
What is the difference between decluttering and conscious decluttering?
Conscious decluttering involves going beyond minimizing clutter and being more discerning of the items we own, making choices based on their environmental impact and our personal values.
What are some creative ways to repurpose items during decluttering?
Some creative ways to repurpose items during decluttering include using jars as vases or container organizers, turning old t-shirts into cleaning rags, and transforming picture frames into jewelry organizers.
How can I sustainably dispose of hazardous materials during decluttering?
To dispose of hazardous materials sustainably, it’s important to research proper disposal methods in your community or contact your local waste management facility to determine how to safely dispose of items such as electronics, light bulbs, batteries, and paint.
Hi there! My name is Hellen James. I’m a professional decluttering expert who loves to help people get their homes in order. I’ve worked with people from all walks of life—from high school students to retirees and everything in between—to help them clear out clutter and make the most of their space so they can focus on what matters most to them.