Comments on: Environmentally friendly uncluttering — From Planet Green

By: Emberskye

Emberskye — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:37:58 +0000

It is interesting, because I already do most of this, but I have found there are a few things I don’t do. Like when paying for gas at the pump and getting money out of the atm. I do almost always get a receipt. And I suppose, there is no need. Something to think about I guess. But, as for recycling my so called junk and clothing, I always donate! I buy used too! I’ve even been known to salvage many an item curbside. Even if I couldn’t use it, there’s two thrift stores in my area, that I can just drop off something good that someone is throwing out. I do my best to recycle, and have found that when effort is made I can generate just as much recycled material as trash, and often times, more. The week’s I am most proud is when we have only 1 or 2 bags of trash and 2 or more in recyclables, but now my new project, is to scale down both to as close to nil as possible!!!

By: Pnkrckballerina

Pnkrckballerina — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 17:30:40 +0000

Best buy now has a program where they will take most electronics for 10$. They also have a take back program for tv and appliances if you buy fromthem. It sucks to pay. But I would rather it get recycled than go in landfill to leach mercury and lead into ground.

By: Czy potrzebujemy jeszcze papieru? | zajaczkowski.org

Czy potrzebujemy jeszcze papieru? | zajaczkowski.org — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 09:14:48 +0000

[...] także rzucić okiem na: Going paperless (@Unclutterer) Environmentally friendly uncluttering — From Planet Green (@Unclutterer) Green Your Home Office (@Planet [...]

By: Environmentally Friendly Office Products

Environmentally Friendly Office Products — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:11:06 +0000

If you can’t live virtually, a great way to help make your life more green is to use environmentally friendly office products. Pendaflex has file folders called “Earthwise” that are made from 100% recycled fibers with a minimum of 50% post consumer material.

I use them because I have to have a filing system in my office and I can’t avoid using paper. Hope this helps someone else!

By: Leah

Leah — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:33:47 +0000

Having worked in the fraud department at a financial institution, I have to (respectfully) disagree with not asking for receipts. Often that is the only “contract” (for lack of a better word) of what service you received and what amount you authorized to pay. Also, we had many instances of servers at restaurants altering the tip amount. Even if it’s on them to provide a signed slip, some are changed well enough to only bolster the restaurant’s side. Anyone who wants to refuse receipts needs to understand they are taking on some risk. I personally weigh my risk and refuse at some places while specifically ask at others.

By: Maureen Bullis

Maureen Bullis — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:03:08 +0000

I agree totally with your philosophy. I recently wrote in detail about how to reduce junk mail. Your readers might be interested. For me the blood feud is still on! Like how can I get AARP to stop sending stuff to my house for my dead aunt!

By: Cynthia Friedlob, The Thoughtful Consumer

Cynthia Friedlob, The Thoughtful Consumer — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 06:37:24 +0000

Useful ideas, except for the one suggesting passing up ATM paper receipts. Many ATMs automatically print them anyway and if you’ve ever had a dispute with your bank, you’ll know how valuable they can be.

Same situation at the self-serve gas pump. When I use my credit card, I’m asked if I want a receipt. You bet I do because I don’t want my credit card company to say I bought $200 worth of gas when I actually bought $20.

Sometimes receipts are well worth the paper they’re printed on!

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:49:11 +0000

You can call organizations like Salvation Army, Value Village and Goodwill or local community organizations that take your old landfill stuff and resell it. They make good money for their charity and you get rid of your old “junk”! I do this about twice a year for old clothes, books, kitchen ware, and whenever I move. They take electronics or you can return those to lots of local places that will recycle them. Best of all, a lot of the charities will PICK-UP your junk at your house so all you have to do is leave it on your porch! Good luck!

By: Ali Collette

Ali Collette — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 11:46:20 +0000

As a mother of toddler twins and a preschooler, I have learned to be organized (which doesn’t come naturally) while also being “green” (which does).

We have recently moved to South Africa. A transcontinental move is great incentive to downsize – and we did. However, now that we are unpacking, I realize just how much STUFF we still have, especially in comparison to so many people in this country. We plan to re-distribute our excess and avoiding acquiring more!

By: Dream Mom

Dream Mom — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 02:38:06 +0000

Great suggestions!

I try to be cautious when it comes to paper. For example, when I buy something on-line or pay on a different website, they will say something like, “print this confirmation.” Instead, I click the file button and send the confirmation to my inbox. At that time, I route it to a file called, “Subscription Confirmations”. This is my holding spot for reciepts of any kind, software keys, etc. Once the item is delivered, I delete it out of the file and then there isn’t any paper.

As a Professional Organizer, I have clients that like to think they are “green” however almost always, they consume the most. They have 200 pens or 100 boxes of tea or whatever. It is not even necessarily things they are into.

My simple solution to going green is this: downsize your home/apartment by 25% or more, buy only one replacement item when you run out of something (instead of a dozen of it) and simplify your life. Downsizing will force you to keep only the things that matter and will help you consume less. Also, when you simplify your life down to the necessities, you will no longer consume so much stuff. In addition, you get a huge bonus. You have a lot more time because you don’t have to manage all of that stuff!

By: Jasmin

Jasmin — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 23:34:25 +0000

@Jesse:

Type in your zip code at Earth911.org to find a place near you where you can recycle your old electronics.

By: Marge

Marge — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 23:27:49 +0000

Thank you for sharing. I haven’t checked it out for a very long time but this site looks like it will be added to my list of everyday reads (such as unclutterer.com). I appreciate the opportunity to do something better for the Earth in baby steps, as that is about all my brain is able to wrap around at this time. Saving the planet seems like an imaginable task but planting a tree or recycling paper is something I am capable of doing.

By: Jesse

Jesse — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 23:27:11 +0000

I’d also like to know how to get rid of landfill guilt. That’s my biggest problem. I will keep things I have absolutely no interest in keeping b/c I can’t bare the thought of these items rotting away for millions of years in a landfill somewhere. Plus, with old electronic equipment, etc I’m worried about doing serious damage to the environment. So – I just never throw anything away

By: Lynette Radio

Lynette Radio — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:19:39 +0000

Great tips as always! My whole thing about getting rid of the clutter in our home (besides my husband being a borderline book packrat) is that I’m afraid to throw it out and add to the landfill. Somehow it’s all better sitting and collecting dust in my home and office. Freecycle / Craigslist can only ditch so much stuff! How do I get rid of the landfill guilt?

By: nina

nina — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:31:07 +0000

I am really enjoying reading your blog. I don’t have a clutter problem and love to send our “preloved” items to the Goodwill. We actually buy many things from the Goodwill such as clothes,toys and books, use them for a time and then donate them again. It gives me great satisfaction to know that an object will have a least three owners if not more. So many resources are saved by buying used.

By: Shannon

Shannon — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 19:04:26 +0000

@Tay
My credit card company has this option on their website. I receive an email when the statement is first available and another email 5 days before payment is due. My boyfriend uses a different company and has similar options.

My cable and electric companies don’t send reminders, but I use Gmail and tag messages in my inbox requiring action with “To Do,” which I made orange. It’s a great visual reminder as soon as I open my email. You could make tags like “To Do,” “To Pay,” etc. Whatever works for you.

I haven’t used it, but I believe that Google calendar can be used to create reminders as well. Does anyone have better suggestions for online reminders?

Also, there’s always the option to have bills paid automatically out of your account. I know this scares many people, but it can sure simplify your life if you don’t even have to think about paying your bills.

Hooray for going green!

By: Sheryl

Sheryl — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 17:44:08 +0000

Wow – excellent ideas for minimizing clutter, waste and doing some good for the environment at the same time!

By: Earth Girl

Earth Girl — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 16:54:35 +0000

Excellent points regarding the lifestyle and habits of unclutters being green. I’ve already had 2 garage sales this year and whatever was left over was donated. Someone somewhere will be able to put those things to use, and hopefully they’ll acquire them for free. My family still has a bit of a journey to get completely uncluttered (I come from a long line of pack rats) but we’ve made great inroads and it feels wonderful. Deciding what was truly valuable (and thus to keep rather than sell) has been a liberating experience for me. I’ve let go of so much stuff. A literal weight has been lifted from my life. Thanks for the blog!

By: tay

tay — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 16:34:14 +0000

I am definately trying to lean more towards many of these tips. However, I have yet to be able to seperate myself from paper statements. I need the visual reminder. If I depend on emails I don’t think I will ever pay a bill on time. However, I am trying to move to this and find a way that will work for me. ( I think I first need to start by getting rid of the dial-up service I have at home )

By: Josephine

Josephine — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:17:52 +0000

Great tips. Personally, however, I don’t subscribe to living virtually to the extent that others do. While I believe in keeping digital copies, doing online banking, etc. I don’t take advantage of some service-oriented websites (i. e. Google Calendar) simply because I don’t wish to put all my life “out there”.