By Emily Herrick
Reducing our impact on the environment seems to be on everyone’s minds these days. Hopefully, you already recycle as much as possible, but have you thought about taking it a step further to limit and reduce what you bring into your home in the first place? If we get into the habit of asking ourselves, “Do I really need to bring this home, and do I have a place for it?” we will likely buy a lot less. If you spend a lot of your time shopping, your home is probably filled with too much stuff.
When you purchase something, think about how far it’s traveled and how much packaging was used in its production. In the same way that we’re all starting to think more about eating locally, buying products that were produced locally will also reduce your carbon footprint.
If we reduce the volume of products we consume, we’ll also reduce the amount we discard. Another thing to give some thought to is whether something that you might have thrown out could be put to another use, like using an old dresser to store linens or dishes, using a slightly chipped but otherwise attractive mug to hold pencils on your desk, or reusing a shoebox to send a care package to a college student. Many items can be recycled for another person’s use rather than being tossed. Websites like Freecycle.com and Craigslist.com are great resources for getting your stuff into the hands of someone who can use it. Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore (www.habitat.org/env/restores.aspx) accepts building and renovation materials, and many charities accept clothes and household items.
With the digital TV conversion taking place on June 12, the millions of televisions that could potentially end up in landfills is mind-boggling. Many towns ban this practice, so a solution to the question of what to do with an old TV is crucial. Earth911.com and EPA.gov are two websites that can help you find ways to recycle an old TV, some even shipping them to developing countries to be rebuilt and reused or even turned into car batteries.
Reducing the number of plastic items you buy is another great way to organize green. The non-recyclability of plastics means that buying containers made from this material has a negative impact on the earth. For example, buying stainless steel water bottles and putting a filter for drinking water on your kitchen sink will mean no more plastic bottle clutter in your home.
Finally, paying bills online is a fantastic way to reduce clutter while reducing your carbon footprint. It also saves you a lot of time, reduces the amount you spend on stamps and helps reduce the environmental impact of the postal system.
The important concept behind these suggestions is to learn to become more mindful about the way we consume as well as the way we dispose of stuff. Every little bit helps, and if we approach the job of organizing from a green perspective, we’ll not only feel better about the conditions in our homes, but also about the condition of the planet. Green organizing is definitely here to stay, so start doing your part to make a difference!