9 Eco-Friendly Decluttering Tips
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Decluttering can be tough, especially if you want to do it in an eco-friendly way but don’t know how. The truth is, many people hang onto and continue to be weighed down by their clutter rather than knowingly sending it somewhere it’s destined for the landfill.
I’ve been there. I saved everything years into motherhood because I didn’t want to just throw things away. Fed up with the piles of shit we didn’t need and all the guilt I carried with it, I finally learned how to declutter in an eco-friendly way, which is what I’m sharing with you here!
In this blog post, I’m sharing the 9 eco-friendly ways I learned to declutter which allowed me to overcome this roadblock and confidently declutter my home with a clear conscience. I’ll be covering:
How to commit to buying less
How to be resourceful
How to reuse bags and boxes to give items away
How to donate
How to resell items
How to have a yard sale
How to give away stuff for free
How to recycle your stuff
How to hire help
So if you're tired of struggling to let go of your unwanted items and not knowing what to do to help keep them from a life in the landfill, you’re in the right place! All of that is about the change for good.
9 Eco-Friendly Decluttering Tips
01/ COMMIT TO BUYING LESS
With a click of a button we can have anything we want delivered to our home in a matter of days. Sadly this convenience is causing us extra stress (hello?! clutter) and even worse it’s destroying the environment. Collectively, we can reduce our environmental footprint by implementing mindful decisions around what and how we buy. So before you make a purchase, ask yourself if you really need it. If you do, try and buy it preloved instead of new and invest in durable, sustainable alternatives with minimal packaging and shipping.
02/ BE RESOURCEFUL
Making sure we do everything we can to extend the lifespan of our possessions is one of the most effective ways to decrease waste. So instead of buying something new, reuse what you currently own, repair your things when they’re broken, give items new meaning by repurposing them, borrow what’s needed from a friend or neighbor, and extend the life of another’s belongings by shopping secondhand.
03/ RESUSE THE BAGS & BOXES YOU HAVE TO GIVE ITEMS AWAY
Chances are you have preused cardboard boxes, paper or plastic bags stashed away in a closet, the garage, or under the kitchen sink. Rather than buying anything new to donate the items you're giving away, reuse what you’ve got. If you don’t have any boxes or bags, or are running low on inventory, I recommend using paper lawn and leaf bags as an eco-friendly alternative. They’re massive, durable and plastic free. You can find these large paper bags at your local hardware store, grocery store and Target.
04/ RESELL ITMES ON SOCIAL NETWORKING GROUPS & AT LOCAL RESALE SHOPS
Extend the lifespan of your unwanted items by selling them at local resale shops, or online at sites such as Nextdoor or Offerup. You can sell anything from books, electronics, clothes to furniture. People are looking for your specific items and willing to pay you for them. You make money, hook people up in your community and help keep the items out of the landfill. Win. Win. Win!
05/ HAVE A YARD SALE
Who doesn’t like perusing a yard sale on the weekend in hopes of finding a good deal on the things they’ve been searching for? Yard sales are an effective and delightful way to get rid of the things you no longer need and into the hands of someone who does.
A successful yard sale takes a lot of planning and preparation. I go into depth on how to have a successful yard sale in my blog post How to Throw an Epic Yard Sale.
06/ DONATE TO LOCAL BUSINESSES, NONPROFITS & ORGANIZATIONS
There are so many organizations that truly see your stuff as gold! Rather than seeking out the nearest donation bin, or dumping a bunch of random stuff off at Goodwill, take time to research the organizations in your community that can make the best use of the items you're giving away. For instance, Soles4Souls collects shoes and clothes for distribution to people in need across the globe. Habitat for Humanity accepts furniture, appliances and other home goods. Public libraries and schools welcome books. Animal shelters are always in need of old textiles, towels, and bedding.
PRO TIP 👉 Check the organization's website for current donation guidelines and hours.
07/ GIVE STUFF FOR FREE TO OTHER MEMBERS IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Divert reusable goods from the landfill by joining the gifting movement. Giving items away has never been easier and it feels so good! Here are a few ways to gift:
Ask friends and family. Maybe they have use for your unwanted items?
Post items on Freecycle, an online nonprofit network that provides unwanted items to others.
Leave your giveaways out front your house with a “free” sign for neighbors to pick up as they walk or drive by.
Seek out the nearest Free Little Library and donate all your unwanted books. If you don’t have a Little Free Library in your community, you could start your own!
08/ RECYCLE YOUR STUFF
Despite your best attempt there will always be stuff you can’t use or save anymore, and recycling decluttered items takes more effort than placing the items into the appropriate bin. Luckily with a little research, knowing exactly what to do with your discarded items is a total breeze. Simply Google “How can I recycle [blank]” and you’ll be on your way!
I created an awesome directory loaded with eco-friendly resources so you can find homes for all the items you want to get rid of, help keep those items out of the landfill, make a positive impact in your community and finally declutter guilt free!
Download my free directory Don’t Throw That Away right here.
09/ HIRE HELP
There are so many eco-friendly, locally owned businesses eager to help you manage your stuff because like you, they care about the environment. Need someone to pick up your hard to recycle items or donations? Maybe your favorite pair of jeans need a mend? Whatever you need, I guarantee there’s someone who’d like to help you keep it out of the landfill! All it takes is a simple search on the internet.
Final thoughts
Once I learned these eco-friendly decluttering tips and implemented them into my daily life, I finally found homes for all the things I wanted to get rid of and instantly felt lighter. Making a positive impact in my community by donating items to organizations in need and prioritizing sustainable practices has made me feel more confident getting rid of stuff and I know it will do the same for you!
If you’re struggling to take control of your stuff and want to know how to break down the tasks and see through the chaos, I’ve got you! Tackle your decluttering project with my expert guidance. Book a free 20-minute discovery call to get started.
