Brainstorming holiday presents? Here are a few gift options, all of which are kind to you, your budget, & the planet.
Each idea also reduces clutter, either directly—like giving your used clothing to seasonal drives—or indirectly: e.g., event tickets don’t take up space or require gift wrapping. Consider giving:
0 Comments
Many people think of organization as boxing up old files and office supplies—but I encourage you to think outside the box!
Protect your investment in houseplants by organizing them: i.e., curating them with intention and thoughtfulness, so each can delight you for a long time! Plants can be arranged for style and appropriate light exposure via the use of inexpensive plant stands, as seen in the photo below, and many other techniques. The latter include hacking IKEA products to make custom plant accessories; reading books from plant stylists, and browsing Instagram for inspiration. Simply contact me: together, we can transform your plant inspirations into your greener, calmer space and lifestyle!! The DC Department of Public Works has a brief, informative video on which take-out food containers are recyclable.
[Note: Unfortunately, this video lacks captioning for d/Deaf and hard of hearing viewers. If you’d like a transcript, I’m happy to prepare one (at no charge, of course): please contact me.] Organizing your trash and recyclables may seem daunting, but it’s worth it: for the planet, for future generations, and for your own health! Recycling electronics (vs. throwing them in a landfill) helps prevent toxic chemicals from leaching into our water and food. If you’d like help designing a functional, unobtrusive, even stylish (!) recycling system, please get in touch! Long time, no post, for the best of reasons: I've been busy with a fun and fascinating range of client projects!
So, if you're like many people, you have a Post-it/sticky note habit... which makes sense because they're just so handy. This is not judgment, but rather offering information so you can make the decisions that feel right for you. Sticky notes:
If you want to save money, trees, and time spent on the floor searching for Post-its... you've come to the right place! Here are a few suggestions to reduce the eco-impact of sticky notes. These are roughly in order of increasing eco-friendliness:
Don't worry about a minor bump to your bag resulting in a broken mouse.
Instead, protect your tech on the go with this sturdy, transparent case... that you may already have in your pantry! Zero Waste DC is a wonderful resource. Type in any unwanted items--e.g., hangers, old clothes, outdated electronics--and the site tells you how to dispose of them in a safe, eco-friendly way. The site even includes links to local charities that will accept your item(s)!
Zero Waste DC also provides a massive Google Docs spreadsheet, listing stores and nonprofits where you can shop for used items, donate them, or get items repaired. Finally--and my personal favorite--you can even play a DC-specific, online computer game (no downloads or special gaming system required!) to learn more about disposing of unwanted items. This is a fun way to teach your children about recycling and being kind to the earth. Check out the screen capture below! Liberate your silverware organizers from the bounds of the kitchen! :) Try expandable silverware organizers (also known as utensil or flatware organizers) throughout your home.
Goodwill often has silverware organizers for sale. If you can't find them, look for silverware itself: the organizers are usually shelved nearby. Goodwill can be a great choice: less impact on your wallet, and on the Earth! Frantically searching for your screwdriver or scissors is a source of stress and irritation. Knowing where things are, by contrast, helps you stay calmer--and frees up your emotional energy to be more patient and present! *As always, no compensation was received for linking to these products: they're merely examples, not endorsements. What can you do with old clothes that aren't in good enough shape to donate? What about non-clothing fabrics in poor condition, like worn sheets, tablecloths, and curtains?
H&M will recycle your textiles for free, from any brand and in any condition! Your unwanted items can be turned into insulation and other useful fiber products. Just bring your stuff to any H&M store counter and ask for the recycling box. * Bonus: you'll get a discount coupon off a future H&M purchase! NOTE: I haven't received any compensation from H&M for this post. I've used their program myself and feel confident recommending it. Sometimes, people mistakenly assume that getting organized requires purchasing lots of storage supplies.
While purchasing new bins, boxes, etc. can be fun, it is definitely not your only option! Many household items that would otherwise go to waste can be re-purposed for organizing. Reusing items for organization is an all-around win: it saves you money, keeps non-recyclable items out of landfills, and reduces the energy costs of processing recyclables! Some ideas to get you started:
|
AuthorSteven Cohen is the owner of Streamlined by Steven, a professional organizing company serving Washington, D.C. and parts of Maryland. Archives
March 2020
Categories
All
|