When sustainability is a growing concern, adopting eco-friendly practices at home becomes important. A well-organised and sustainable home not only reduces clutter but also minimises waste, saves money, and promotes a healthier lifestyle.

Here are some practical and eco-friendly tips to organise your home while keeping the environment in mind.

Declutter Responsibly

An eco-friendly approach to decluttering is about thoughtfulness regarding what to do with items you no longer need.

• Recycle: Separate recyclable materials like paper, glass, and certain plastics and take them to the appropriate recycling facilities. 
• Repurpose: Get creative by finding new uses for old items. For instance, turn glass jars into storage containers or old t-shirts into cleaning rags.
• Reuse: Invest in self storage as life changes to preserve items that will have uses in the future. Think of clothing or furnishings to hand down to future generations, or neglected hobby equipment that you might have renewed interest in later on.

Avoid simply binning items that could still have value to yourself, others or the environment.

Invest in Sustainable Storage Solutions

When organising your home, avoid purchasing new cheap, plastic storage containers if you possibly can. Instead, opt for eco-friendly and durable alternatives: 

• Bamboo Baskets: Bamboo is a more renewable resource and makes for attractive, sturdy storage. 
• Recycled Materials: Look for storage boxes made from recycled cardboard or plastic. 
• Glass Jars: Reuse jars from food products to store dry goods, craft supplies, or bathroom essentials. Decorating them is a great craft project for adults and kids alike.
• Fabric Bins: Fabric baskets made from organic cotton or hemp can provide an aesthetic and sustainable storage solution. If you can sew, scour YouTube for tutorials on how to make your own. You can harvest fabric from unloved clothes or linens.

These choices not only reduce your environmental impact, they’re more customisable so align closely with your décor choices.

Adopt a Minimalist Mindset

Minimalism is inherently eco-friendly as it focuses on reducing excess and prioritising quality over quantity. 

• Buy Less, Choose Wisely: When purchasing new items, select high-quality products that will last, reducing the need for frequent replacements. 
• One In, One Out: For every new item brought into the home, remove an old one. This is actually quite hard to do, but if you can it helps maintain balance and avoids accumulating clutter.

With a little minimalism, consuming less creates a calming, clutter-free space.

Organise by Zone

Creating functional zones helps reduce unnecessary purchases and encourages efficient use of space. For example: 

• Kitchen: Use stackable containers and pantry organisers to keep food items visible and together. Have pots and pans close to the cooking zone, cleaning materials by the sink, knives and chopping boards stored close to prep areas.   
• Wardrobe: Store seasonal clothing in separate bins or under-bed containers to free up space. Even better, pop them into your self storage room – they’ll stay pristine and create all the space needed for the current season’s items.
• Home Office: Use desk organisers made from sustainable materials to tidy cables, stationery, and papers. It’s another place to use your upcycled jars and other reclaimed containers.

A zoned approach makes it easier to find what you need, reducing duplication and waste.

Go Paperless

Paper clutter can quickly accumulate, so adopt digital alternatives wherever possible: 

• Bills and Statements: Choose electronic versions of bills and bank statements. 
• Receipts: Use apps to scan and store receipts instead of keeping physical copies. As a caveat, make sure you can return faulty items without the paper receipt before you destroy it.
• Digital Notes: Replace notebooks and sticky notes with digital apps like Evernote or Microsoft OneNote. There are also journaling apps for your phone and lots of other note-taking and list-making apps.

When you need to get rid of paper, a shredder can help make it compostable or turn it into pet bedding.

Compost Organic Waste

For kitchen and garden organising, composting is an excellent eco-friendly practice. Instead of discarding food scraps or yard waste: 

• Set Up a Compost Bin: A small kitchen compost bin can collect scraps like vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells. 
• Use the Compost: Turn your compost into rich soil, reducing the need for chemical fertilisers and creating nutrients for a home vegetable plot. Garden compost bins are easy to use and relatively cheap.

A composting habit reduces landfill and creates a cycle of sustainability in your home.

Use Pre-Loved Items

Buying second-hand is one of the most effective ways to minimise your environmental footprint: 

• Furniture: Look for vintage or pre-loved furniture pieces that add character and reduce demand for new production. 
• Décor: Explore charity shops and flea markets for unique home accessories. 
• DIY Projects: Upcycle old items into new, functional pieces, such as turning an old ladder into a leaning bookshelf or an old chest of drawers into a baby changing station.

Second-hand shopping supports a circular economy and can save you money while keeping your home stylish.

Use Natural Cleaning Products

Maintaining an organised home involves regular cleaning, but many commercial cleaning products contain harmful chemicals. Switch to: 

• DIY Cleaners: Use vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils for effective and natural cleaning solutions. 
• Eco-Friendly Brands: Choose cleaning products with biodegradable ingredients and recyclable packaging. 
• Refill Stations: Refill your cleaning product containers at local zero-waste shops to cut down on plastic use. 

Natural cleaning methods are better for your health and the planet, and there are many recipes online for cleaning products you can make easily at home.

By making small, intentional changes like these and adopting some minimalist habits, you can create a harmonious and environmentally conscious living space.

Change one small thing at a time when you’re just starting, because every step towards eco-friendly living goes towards a healthier planet for us and for future generations.