5 Ways you Can Organize and Declutter Your Spaces

 We are huge fans of the less is more mentality. We believe in buying fewer, better things and finding creative ways to stay organized using items you already have in your home. Take these 5 actionable steps below to help you stay organized, reduce clutter and cultivate mindful habits for sustainable living. 

Refuse

The first step to creating a more sustainably organized home is to say no! Start refusing things you don’t need and start saying yes to buying and accepting fewer, better things. It’s a muscle that can be strengthened over time and can greatly reduce the unnecessary clutter we bring into our homes. 

Here are some ways to do so:

• Resist impulse purchases

• Say no to buying or receiving items that impact the environment like plastic bottles of water, plastic bags, pamphlets & flyers, business cards, plastic take out utensils + straws and other short-lived items that typically end up in the trash or stuffed in a junk drawer

• Stop paper mail and newspaper deliveries and go electronic

• Shop package free at bulk stores and farmers markets

• Bring reusable containers to restaurants that accept them

Reduce

Take an audit of your lifestyle and find ways to reduce your consumption. Be mindful about your purchasing habits and seek out products made of sustainable natural materials like glass, ceramic, wood, stainless steel and iron.

Here are some tips:

• Get honest with yourself! Get really clear about what you need and cut back on what you don’t need. We encourage you to free yourself of the responsibility of managing too many unnecessary items while keeping your environmental impact in mind

• Let go of household items and are no longer serving a purpose for you. This alleviates clutter and creates space. We provide resources for donating items and giving them a second life here.

• Consume with purpose. Focus on necessary purchases as opposed to random splurges on items you do not need. These often end up in the trash or disappear in the back of your closet

Reuse

This is another great option to reduce clutter, reduce waste and save money in the process. Plus, it can be super fun!

Swap out disposable items for more sustainable, long lasting ones such as:

• Disposable makeup removers → Reusable cotton or bamboo rounds

• Plastic toothbrushes → Compostable bamboo toothbrushes or a Quip

• Sponge → Compostable and reusable dish brush

• Plastic bags → Reusable fabric bags

 Let’s talk about how amazingly versatile jars are. Mason jars, pasta sauce jars, or even candle jars can be repurposed as storage containers for Q-tips, makeup brushes, bobby pins, kitchen utensils, flowers, food storage, drinking glasses, toothbrush holders… the possibilities are endless! Just be sure to clean your jar well, and dry it completely before repurposing it.

If you’re feeling crafty, check out these fun DIY upcycled organization pins on Pinterest.

Buy secondhand clothes, shop your friends’ closets, participate in memberships like Rent the Runway or learn how to repair clothes and make them last longer 

Recycle

If the above steps are not possible first, explore ways to mindfully recycle items in your home that no longer serve a purpose. Here are some resources for recycling and donating. If you haven’t already read our blog post about recycling, check it out here.

Rot

Composting and repurposing food scraps are some of the best ways to reduce what ends up in a landfill. Inquire at your local farmers market to see if they can accept your compost or simply google composting options near me. Starting a composting bin is a bit of a mindset shift in our disposable food culture, but by consciously and consistently buying and using up quality food, you’ll save money, reduce clutter and lower your environmental impact. It also paves the way for taking an audit in your fridge and pantry to see where you can simplify, use up and organize your food. More composting tips can be found on the EPA’s website.

Share any tips you have for creating a sustainable living environment with us!