Ever since Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up went stellar bestseller in 2014, it seems an entire industry has cropped up around home organisation. Going hand-in-hand with this is the notion that you have to go out and buy new stuff to tidy the old stuff you are trying to declutter and organise. In the kitchen, for example.
Utilising mason jars or tuppers to rein in unwieldy packages of foodstuffs that refuse to stay closed makes sense, yes. It can also look very tidy when everything has a uniform look.
In this article
Before You Buy New Stuff to Tidy
Before you spend money on new baskets and jars and buckets and trays though, do your decluttering first and see what you have already.
In all likelihood you won’t need to purchase two hundred smackaroos’ worth of clear plastic containers. Unless perhaps you have a McMansion-sized pantry which always needs to be kept stocked to feed an entire football team over a long weekend. (I’m looking at you, The Home Edit.)
So weed through your stash and toss any expired items first. Determine what you use, what is still good, and what needs to go. You likely already have suitable containers at hand to then organise everything. Tuppers, a repurposed cosmetic tray from the bath, empty pickle and mustard jars. All of these can be put to use in the kitchen to neatly divide up the contents of drawers or de-canter staples.
Lavish Home Makeup Organizer, Natural, 10.25” x 7.5” x 12.8”
MAKEUP ORGANIZER - This dresser organizer is made of bamboo, an eco-friendly, renewable resource that makes it durable enough to stand up to daily use in your home, dorm, and office, and its beautiful natural finish complements a range of decor styles.
Sorbus Organizer Bins, with Eco-Friendly - Bamboo lids, Kitchen Pantry Organization Storage bins, for fridge, freezer, Food Storage, containers for organizing, Cabinet Organizers
BAMBOO LID STORAGE BINS (SET OF 4) — Keep your fridge, pantry, and more organized with this container bin set, perfect for kitchen and household essentials
mDesign Bamboo Panel Kitchen Cabinet and Shelf Pantry Organizer Bin - Eco-Friendly, Multipurpose - Use on Countertops, Shelves or in Pantry - 3 Pack - Natural Bamboo
Versatile Organization: Ideal for kitchen cabinets, shelves, or countertops, these bins help keep your pantry neat and tidy
If you do need to buy new stuff to tidy and make some purchases in the home org department, consider picking sustainable materials to organise with, such as raffia or glass, instead of plastic.
I purchased these preserving jars to store dried staples in the kitchen over 20 years ago. They were inexpensive, are easy to keep clean, absolutely durable, and still look good:
The Psychological Impact of Repurposing
Apart from saving money, another one of the benefits of repurposing items you already own is the psychological satisfaction it brings.
When you give a second life to an item, you're not just organising your space; you're also making a conscious choice to extend the life of your items and reduce waste. And by resisting the urge to buy new, you're also training your sense of mindfulness in learning to be content with what you have.
Over time, this mindset can lead to more sustainable habits, not just in organising but in other aspects of life as well.
It's Also Better for the Environment
Every time we choose to repurpose an item instead of buying new, we're making a small but significant contribution to a cleaner environment.
Manufacturing new products consumes resources and energy, and that results in more carbon emissions. By using what we already have, we're welding our consumer power to reduce the demand for new products, thereby decreasing our carbon footprint.
Plus, when you do have to buy new stuff to tidy up, by opting for eco organising products made from sustainable materials like glass or raffia over plastic, we're supporting industries that are kinder to our planet. It's a ripple effect: one small choice can lead to a larger impact, promoting a more sustainable and eco-friendly world.
Have you bought into the plastic container craze to organise your stuff? Drop a comment and share your thoughts!
