Eco-Organizing Made Easy: Tips from Vision Organizing

Last week we posted on instagram about spring cleaning. While we are big proponents of reducing consumption to avoid decluttering, the reality is that we all have items we own that need to organize and declutter. The idea of "eco-organizing" may seem overwhelming (where to even start??). Thanks to Gigi Miller from Vision Organizing who put together this post to help us figure out how to easily incorporate eco-friendly practices into our spring cleaning and what to do with items like old computers, televisions, batteries, eye glasses and even medications that you no longer need. Spring cleaning feels good...especially when you do it with an eye to minimizing your impact on the planet.

It’s easy being green! Living an eco-friendly lifestyle is not only trendy, but it’s the right thing to do! So why not incorporate some green practices into your organizing? You can start by following some of the easy eco tips listed below using the 3 Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

REDUCE

By clearing clutter and creating easy-to-locate “homes” for your things, you avoid making expensive, unnecessary, duplicate purchases. 

REUSE

Reuse common household items in new and attractive ways. An empty Kleenex box can become a plastic shopping bag holder. Shoe boxes, coffee cans, paper ream boxes, mint tins — just about any type of container can be covered with pretty paper and repurposed as an organizing container. 

RECYCLE

There are many ways you can recycle both during and after the organizing process. Explore your local recycling programs and set up an easy recycling station in the kitchen for the whole family to use. Keep small recycling bins in locations where you handle papers.  Also, rather than discarding items in the trash, utilize your local donation resources.

Whether you want to get a little “greener” or become all-out eco-optimized, stay focused on the benefits of going green. Eco-organizing can be easy and convenient, and it can ultimately save you time and money. And, of course, it will make Mother Earth very happy!

Resources

Batteries:  Call2Recycle and Earth911.com.

Cell Phones: Delete all of your personal information using a factory or hard reset option. (Check the manufacturer's website for info on how). You'll also want to remove or erase the SIM or SD card. Then you can trade in, donate, or recycle your device — usually right at the store. 

TVs:  TV recycling programs 

Laptops and Computers: Dell Reconnect, World Computer Exchange, and eBay for Charity if you're interested in donating your device. Similar to TVs, you'll want to recycle these responsibly, so get in touch with the manufacturer or retailer to see if they'll help out. 

Eyeglasses: OneSight, Lion's Club, or New Eyes take old glasses to distribute them to those in need. 

Light Bulbs:  Try Earth911.com for info on how to safely get rid of these (plus other hazards, like paint and pesticides) near you.

Medications:  To dispose of them safely, use this DEA Diversion Control Division search engine to find a certified disposal site near you (including some pharmacies). Your local law enforcement agency may also host periodic collection days.

Gigi Miller is the owner of Vision Organizing in Atlanta, Georgia. She offers simple, sustainable and effective organization and productivity solutions for your home, work and life. Her services can be offered both in person and remote.