Simple Steps

While many people think of recycling their bottles, cans, and paper as simple steps to help the planet (and they are!), there are also simple ways to reduce your impact while you organize your home or office.

1) Buy less stuff! Sounds so simple, right? And it is! Think twice before each purchase you make - will the item enhance your life and contribute to the space you are trying to achieve? The less stuff you own, the less you have to maintain, clean, and get rid of down the road.

2) Donate, don't dumpster! I live in a large building and so often see large quantities of seemingly usable household items in the trash. While it's an organizing must to get rid of items that are no longer needed in your space, that doesn't mean someone else can't use them. There are lots of charities and thrift stores out there that will gladly accept gently used household items. Simply 'Google' charities or donation sites in your area to find out what they will take. Some will even pick items - bonus!

3) Get creative and reuse what you have! It can be expensive in addition to wasteful to buy new things every time you embark on an organizing adventure. See if there are new and creative ways to use items you already have. This doesn't mean you should keep things around that you don't love or need - just think outside the box. For example, two mesh filing crates I wasn't using have been repurposed as recycling bins in my house. And to think, I almost bought new recycling containers?!

These are just a few ideas - let us know your favorites!

Go Green While You Spring Clean

Would you like to green up your cleaning routine? Spring cleaning's a great time to make a few changes. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Green Cleaning Products
Fortunately, 'green' cleaning products are widely available these days so you have several options if you want to switch up some or all of the items under your sink. Here are just a few of many choices:

www.seventhgeneration.com/Green-Cleaning
www.simplegreen.com/products_family.php
www.greenworkscleaners.com/cleaners/

Green Cleaning Tools
You can also find cleaning tools like mops and buckets made from recycled materials. The Container Store carries a few such items.

Another great way to green your routine is to make use of tired household items for cleaning. For example, instead of using paper towels or cleaning wipes, try re-usable rags made from cut up old t-shirts – they’re great for dusting, cleaning glass and mirrors, and just about anything else that needs wiping. You can also make cleaning tools like sponges last longer by throwing them in the dishwasher to refresh them.

What are your favorite tips for green cleaning? Please share your suggestions in the comments!

Where to Recycle Single-Use Batteries

I was cleaning out my kitchen drawer today when I came across a few single-use batteries. I can't remember the last time I used a device that required a single-use battery. My camera, cell phone, I-pod, etc., all have rechargeable batteries. I didn't know what to do with these, so I went to my favorite recycling site: http://earth911.com/ and searched for battery recycling in my area. Turns out, there are lots of places to recycle batteries. If you have a few you don't know what to do with, please don't throw them away...look up battery recycling in your area.

REduce Your Trash

The less you bring into your home the less opportunity of collecting clutter. When you’re out shopping ask yourself 3 QUESTIONS: do you LOVE it, do you NEED it, and will you USE it... before purchasing.
Also, consider how the item is packaged... can you recycle the majority of it?
Don’t take plastic bags from every store you shop at. Bring your own!

REduce and then REthink Storage Options

Before you start purchasing organizing containers you need to REDUCE and possibly even REUSE your items. Once you reduce, take a quick inventory of the empty containers you already have before you run off to the store to buy new ones.

SAVE some GREEN. Use household items for storage... shoeboxes, wooden crates, berry baskets, and empty jars can store anything from memorabilia to old paperwork to office supplies to doggie treats.

Keep, Donate, Toss and RECYCLE

When you are conquering the clutter separate your items into keep, donate, toss and recycle. Your goal is to reduce your toss pile by increasing your donate and recycle piles. It is amazing that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Tap into your local resources to see what items can be reused or recycled. EARTH911.org is a great search engine to find your local recycling resource.

TerraCycle makes products from waste packaged in waste!

Ever wonder what to do with your Cliff Bar wrappers or your yogurt containers? Well TerraCycle knows what to do with it along with many other products that are "non-recyclable ". Sign up online and give to those in need... www.terracycle.net. It's a win win!
For a limited time, TerraCycle is offering a discount on their first product, All Purpose Worm Poop Plant Food, the world’s first product made from waste and packaged in waste, at the lowest price:
· $3.50 each if you order 1-4 bottles (a 30% discount!)
· $2.50 each if you order 6 bottles or more (a 50% discount!)
All you have to do is go to a dedicated TerraCycle website, www.shoponlygreen.com and use the special code GROW.