Cleaning to death, staff reduction and organization. How do we learn to live with less things? | Recycling

Whether we call it decluttering, deep cleaning, or decluttering, many of us face the onerous task of organizing our possessions or those of a loved one.

There can be many reasons: from managing the mountains of stuff that come with young children, to downsizing or moving house, to dealing with a deceased’s estate.

Sometimes, it’s the desire for a simpler life. About one in three Australians can’t stand the amount of stuff in their home, according to a survey commissioned by insurance company Choosi.

“In a consumer society it’s very easy to acquire things, but many people find it difficult to get rid of things,” says Julie Whiting, founder of The Decluttering Co.

The clutter—hidden in closets and drawers, spare rooms and storage facilities—usually involves items that people have been avoiding, he says. Decluttering is difficult because it requires people to make multiple decisions at once, as well as the logistics of where to take things and the emotions of letting them go.

Sorting things can be physically and emotionally exhausting, but is it sustainable?

Keep, donate, recycle, throw away

Jennifer Macklin, who researches waste systems and behavior change at Monash University’s BehaviourWorks, says the overall goal is to “relocate what you can, then recycle and properly dispose of what’s left.”

In addition to navigating the various platforms, collections, and drop-off points, the process can be emotionally fraught. People hold on to things because they value them, he says, so part of the difficulty with giving away or selling things is realizing that other people may not want them.

Whiting recommends that people address the area that is most bothersome to them first. Then start processing things in piles: keep, donate, recycle, throw away.

When it comes to giving things away, donating to a charity shop may seem like an easy option, he says, but it’s not always the best one. Reselling platforms and buy-nothing groups can ensure that the item reaches someone who wants it.

“Familiarize yourself with your local council’s recycling options and the types of things they accept,” he says, adding that these services are often available for free.

Tackling your wardrobe

Tidying up alone is difficult, says professional organizer Susanne Thiebe of Less Mess, and people shouldn’t be ashamed to ask for help.

“I really coach people: Do you have to stay? Can you leave?”“

Thiebe usually starts with clothes, because the state of a person’s wardrobe can have a big impact on their daily life. “You wake up and see a disaster,” he says.

Clothing and shoes are a common source of frustration and can be the hardest for people to part with. One study found that around 84% of Australians owned clothing they had not worn in the last year.

Clothing must be of quality and in good condition to be given as a gift or sold. Textiles can be difficult to recycle or compost, Thiebe says, and some may end up in landfills.

Once the clothes are organized, it is time to organize what is stored. Choose a system that works; For example, a teenage closet, where each shelf or cube is dedicated to a different category of clothing, could be organized even when things are put away without folding.

“Order is for other people, organization is for us,” he says. “Tidying up is about putting it away and making it look good. Organizing isn’t just about putting it away, it’s also about finding it.”

Arrange your furniture

Furniture can be especially challenging, says Ashley Eriksmoen, a Canberra-based designer and carpenter. When people downsize or a family member dies, they can end up with heirloom-quality pieces that need a new home.

“People have a kind of moral hesitation about it, they don’t feel right throwing away furniture like they do with Tupperware,” he says.

“We have this careful management mentality about it.”

But there is a huge amount of unwanted furniture in Australia, he says, more than charity shops, reuse centers or rehomers in groups who don’t buy anything can accept. The glut is due to the availability of cheap furniture, people’s desire to make their home look fresh and stylish, and limited channels for repair or renovation.

“The most sustainable choice is furniture that already exists,” he says.

If you can find a way to modify the furniture to keep it in use, that is preferable. “You don’t have to keep the eight chairs and the dining room table,” he says, “maybe you can cut them up and turn them into two tea tables.” She encourages people to try simple repairs or paint jobs, especially if the alternative is hard trash. Local repair cafes or tool libraries can help.

Recycle or throw away

Books are one of the most difficult things to donate, as many charity shops do not accept them. But they can be recycled if the covers are removed, Thiebe says.

Many municipal depots and recycling stations accept paints and chemicals, batteries, glow balloons, cables and other electronic waste, as well as baking trays, CDs and DVDs. Some retailers offer return plans for certain types of furniture, office supplies, sporting goods, toys, clothing, and medications.

“When in doubt, throw it in the red bin,” he says. “It is better to have a wrong article in the red.” [rubbish] bin that contaminate all your yellow [recycling] container or, ultimately, the entire truck.”

Learning from experience

Dr Melissa Norberg, director of the Behavioral Sciences Laboratory at Macquarie University, researches ways to help people consume less. Buying things can make us feel good, he says, but the feeling doesn’t last, so we buy more.

“When you’re having a hard time getting rid of something, and when you have to throw something in the landfill because no one wants it, stop and think about what’s being thrown away and whether you can avoid bringing that kind of thing into your home again. Take it as a learning lesson, rather than beating yourself up and feeling bad about it.”

A German study says the decluttering process can be a window for people to “reflect and realign their possessions and desires for goods” and a starting point for changing consumption practices.

“The ordering process can take up a lot of energy and time, and it makes people think twice about buying those things,” Whiting says. “Someone will have to make a decision about everything in our house at some point, and if it’s not us, it will be our loved ones.”

Overconsumption, not decluttering, is the cause of waste, Thiebe says. “Landfill is created when you buy it, not when you release it,” he says. “First of all, don’t buy so many things.

“Take a walk. Start knitting. “Do something other than shopping.”