Getting organized can help take a load of your shoulders--and a load off your counters. There are plenty of ways to go green while getting things in order, from repurposing and recycling to storing your items in practical, eco-friendly containers. Remember that one's person's trash is another person's treasure. You can turn your clutter into a charitable contribution or even some cash, while sorting your belongings in a clean, green fashion. Does this Spark an idea?
Repurpose Old Items
Before throwing clutter in the waste can, think about how these items can be reused. If you can't repurpose them in your own home, there are hundreds of charities that will accept clothing, furniture, kids stuff and general household items. These donations will earn you a tax deduction, and you may even be able to earn some money consigning items or selling them on eBay or Craigslist.
Green Storage Options
The Container Store sells a variety of eco-friendly storage options including newsprint baskets woven from hand-rolled, 100 percent repurposed newspaper, bamboo storage boxes and bins, and boxes constructed from heavyweight 90 percent recycled fiberboard. For kitchens, there are bamboo drawer organizers, turntables and compost pails, as well as reprocessed, biodegradable plastic waste cans by Umbra.
Closet Organization
Organizing a closet has never been easier with all of the eco-friendly, moisture-wicking bamboo options on the market, including sweater and shoe bags, garment racks and hangers. If you want to get rid of those wire hangers, take them back to the dry cleaners who will be happy to reuse them.
Reduce Junk Mail
You can significantly reduce the amount of junk mail cluttering your kitchen counters. For a fee of just $1, you can stop 75 percent of all junk mail by registering for the Mail Preference Service on the Direct Marketing Association Web site. Also, for $20 per year, Tonic Mailstopper (formerly GreenDimes) will remove you from a variety of direct mailing lists and plant five trees. Catalog Choice is a free service that allows you to cancel subscriptions to unwanted catalogs. And to find out stop receiving those bulky Yellow and White pages, visit www.ypassociation.org
Enlist Professional Help
If you need a hand getting your things in order, you can search for a professional organizer who specializes in green organization through the National Association of Professional Organizers.
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