Earth-Friendly Organizing

Simple, low-cost ways to organize sustainably

One of my main goals as a professional organizer is to remove barriers that are keeping my clients from achieving their dream spaces. In a recent consultation, a new client shared with me that she was so ready to declutter her home, but there was something holding her back: the thought that paring down her belongings would mean adding more stuff to landfills.

When it comes to our waste disposal habits, there’s good news and bad news. Let’s start with the positive. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans recycled approximately a third of the municipal solid waste we generated in 2018, the most recent year for which data are available. (And that’s a huge gain from the 10% we recycled in 1980.) Unfortunately, we also added more than 146 million tons of waste to landfills in that same year.

That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t let go of belongings that are no longer serving you! Decluttering is an absolutely essential step in almost all home organizing projects I work on. Clients can feel a little anxious about the process for lots of reasons. In future posts, I’ll tackle some of the feelings of guilt, shame, or sadness that are very common and normal when deciding what to let go. In honor of Earth Day, I wanted to address the big idea behind my new client’s concern: can you get your home organized in a way that is not harmful to the environment? How can you make your home beautiful and functional in a way that’s responsible?

I am here to reassure you that organizing can be a sustainable practice and can even enrich your feeling of connection to your community. Donating your unwanted items (that are in good condition) is the perfect place to start. The old adage that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure has never rung more true in this modern age. Look no further than TikTok: my For You page is full of people sharing their awesome thrift store finds, from fashion to furniture and everything in between.

So that thing you own that’s been sitting in a closet for 5 years? Donate it. That birthday gift from your Great Aunt Susan that’s just not your taste? Give it a new life with someone who can appreciate it! Sometimes that’s easier said than done, I know. If you need help decluttering, I can support you every step of the way in assessing what you own and editing it down into what you really need. I’ll even haul away your unwanted items at the end of our organizing session.

Of course donation is just one aspect of sustainable organizing. But you don’t have to come up with expensive solutions or time-consuming processes to get the job done. To get you started on the road to sustainable organizing, I’ve compiled some of my favorite ways to make sure that simplifying your home is an Earth-friendly endeavor. To access my comprehensive guide “10 tips for sustainable home organizing,” sign up to be part of my organizing community through the form below. As a member, you’ll receive my newsletter with tips and organizing highlights (all of the good stuff with none of the spam, I promise!). You’ll also be able to download the guide right away.

My guide includes ideas for reducing your carbon footprint, reusing things in creative ways, and upping your recycling game. There are tips for any room and budget, but every home has different needs. If you are looking for a personalized approach to Earth-friendly organizing, I’d love to help you get started. Contact me today for a free in-home consultation and get started on the process to a organized home.