How to Declutter Your Home Without Harming the Planet

If you’re thinking about a declutter, there’s something worth knowing before you begin. Each year, the US generates around 292 million tons of municipal solid waste, and roughly 146 million tons of it (about half) ends up in landfills. That’s a significant burden on the environment.

It’s in all of our interests, then, to declutter our homes in a way that doesn’t add to the problem. That’s why we’ve put together this guide, a thoughtful, intentional approach to letting things go. With a little care, you can lighten your space and your environmental footprint at the same time.

Why is it important to Declutter in an Eco-Friendly Way?

As much as we possibly can, we should not send more waste to the landfill. One of the main reasons why is that landfills release tremendous amounts of methane as they decompose. This greenhouse gas is over 80 times more potent than C0 2.

Additionally, they generate leachate, which can contaminate groundwater, produce harmful air pollutants, destroy natural habitats, and contribute to climate change.

It’s worth noting that some modern landfills are well-regulated and often collect methane for energy. However, despite this positive, they still represent a serious environmental burden when compared to alternative solutions like composting and recycling. That is why it is important to take action to remove household junk responsibly whenever we declutter.

How to Start Decluttering in an Eco-Friendly Way?

Understanding why it’s vital to declutter in an eco-friendly way is one thing. But actually knowing how to do it is another thing entirely.

In fact, getting started is often the hardest part because once you begin and really get into it, things usually become easier than you anticipated. Here are three strategies you should adopt.

1. Set Clear Intentions Before You Begin

Before you start pulling everything out of cupboards, it’s worth taking a moment to think about what you actually want from this process. It could be as simple as creating a bit more space for yourself. Or even feeling less stressed when you walk into a room. Even wanting a room to feel different with a new design is worth thinking about.

If you have that intention in mind, it will make it easier to decide what stays and what goes. It also pays to be ruthless because if something doesn’t add value to your day-to-day life, then it’s probably time to let it go.

2. Declutter One Area at a Time

It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you try to undertake a massive declutter all at once. Not least because you might find yourself dealing with lots of half-finished piles and plenty of frustration.

That’s why a much better approach might be to focus on one small area at a time. Whether that takes the form of a single drawer, a shelf, or one section of your wardrobe is up to you. But when you narrow your focus, the task will definitely be achievable enough for you to follow through.

Additionally, when you successfully finish one space, it will give you a real sense of progress. You also get momentum, which makes it easier to keep going.

3. Avoid the ‘All or Nothing’ Mindset

It’s easy to feel like you need to do everything in one go or not bother at all. That kind of thinking can stop you from starting in the first place.

Proper decluttering can take time. And you’ll likely get the best results by treating it as an ongoing process. Some days you might only sort through a few items. That’s completely fine because what really matters is that you’re making consistent progress.

Your ultimate end goal should be to create living spaces that feel comfortable and manageable for you. Indeed, when you let go of the pressure you put on yourself to get everything done instantly, the whole process becomes a lot more enjoyable and productive.

How Do You Dispose of Items You No Longer Need?

This is the bit many people struggle with because it’s tempting to just throw everything in the bin and let your local council deal with it. However, this should be your very last resort. Before you do that, here are four alternatives you should try instead.

1. Sell Items

Perhaps the first thing you should do is try to make money from what you no longer want. It’s worth holding a garage sale or hiring a table at your local car boot market because you’ll be amazed at what some people are willing to buy. 

If you would prefer, you can try selling them on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, your own Etsy store or Gumtree. All of them make it easy to connect with buyers in your local area.

2. Donate to Local Charities and Community Groups

If your possessions are in good enough condition and you don’t want to go through the hassle of trying to sell them, you can always donate them to a charity or a local community group.

Many welcome donations of clothes, books, toys, and household items. You can find a list of charities here. Aside from charities, you might consider giving certain items elsewhere. For instance, you can donate toys to your local children’s hospital or books to a school.

3. Recycle Household Items Responsibly

For items that can’t be reused, you should make a point of recycling them, rather than just throwing them in the bin.

Some local councils may pick up recyclable items for free, and there are also drop-off points for more specialist items, such as electronics and batteries. While this might take a bit of effort, it does make a real difference.

4. Repurpose and Upcycle

If you fancy getting creative, you can always upcycle your old household items. For instance, a glass jar can be used to store pens or paintbrushes. An old t-shirt can become the clothes you clean in or funky cushion covers. Even unused furniture can be used to create sustainable decor. The opportunities are only limited by your imagination.

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