How To Make Your Home Organization & Storage More Sustainable

You may already have made a habit of reusing plastic containers in your house, but if you knew their harmful side effects, you might rethink buying them. Microplastic contamination is in the air we breathe and even the food we eat. Yet, plastic is still a commonly used material for household storage. Sure, recycling helps, but according to Plastic Oceans International, less than 9% of it actually gets recycled. If you're looking to make your home organization and storage more sustainable, your goal should be to gradually replace single-use plastic items in your home (like bottles, containers, and hygiene products) with those that are reusable and/or biodegradable. Here's how you can make small yet eco-conscious changes in your household storage.

The first step is to look for alternatives to plastic containers and bins that are both reusable and eco-friendly. An easy way to start is with items made of natural materials — bamboo, wood, straw, etc. — all of which can be broken down naturally after disposal. For example, you can decorate your home with woven baskets as a clever way to incorporate accessories in your living space that doubles as sustainable storage. Glass and stainless steel containers are also great alternatives to plastic. Though processed, both are made of renewable material and are recyclable. Since they're sustainable and long-lasting, these two are popular, modern choices for eco-friendly kitchen products and materials. Now that you know what to look for, the next step is mindfully decluttering to discover what items you currently have.

Decluttering and organizing can get pretty overwhelming, especially if you have a lot of stuff to tackle. Here's the trick: focus on one room at a time, categorizing and separating everything as items to keep, sell, or donate. The idea is not to throw away anything that can be recycled or reused. (Fun fact, over 95% of trash in America is recyclable or compostable, according to Environment America Research & Policy Center). As you declutter, you may find plenty of unused items in your home you can repurpose as storage solutions. For example, you can reuse a spice rack to hang your plants and free up floor space.

As for your unwanted belongings, consider throwing a yard sale or donating the items to shelters and your local Goodwill store. Speaking of consignment shops, these are great places to thrift reusable storage containers and other neat finds for more sustainable storage. With the right mindset, sustainable home organization isn't hard to achieve. Think of it as arranging and storing your belongings in a way that is healthy for your household and mindful of the planet. You can also check out online resources like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to learn how to properly recycle plastics as well as finding recycling facilities near you.