Spring Cleaning Without Planetary Consequences

I’m the type of person that truly can’t look at anything that doesn’t serve an immediate purpose. My house is consistently immaculate and even the back corner of my bathroom cabinet is filled with items I use at least once a week.

HA! Even typing that was difficult as if you know me at all, you know that purging and “cleanliness” is certainly not my forte. I have sample face masks that I got for free at Sephora four years ago that have long expired, sweaters with permanent stains with which I can’t seem to part, and at least 5 pairs of headphones various flight attendants once gave me on a United flight because what if they suddenly stop passing out headphones for in-flight entertainment?!

But that’s all in the past, and I’m trying to become a new woman. It’s the mix of that spring feeling and my sudden need to nest as we expect our new baby that I’d like to really try to Marie Kondo my situation. What I’m realizing is that by doing this, it’s possible to create another kind of environmental mess. Americans throw away about 4.5 pounds of trash per person PER DAY, and the average home contains about 300,000 items (I feel personally attacked). When we "declutter," most of that stuff ends up in landfills, where it can take decades or even centuries to decompose—if it ever does.

But here's the good news: there are better ways to declutter that don't involve adding to our already overflowing waste problem. The key is to be intentional not just about what we get rid of, but how we dispose of it. And no, that doesn't mean you need to keep that iPhone case that only fits an phone that was discontinued in 2016. It just means being a bit more thoughtful about its next destination.

Kitchen: Where Gadgets Go to Die

The kitchen tends to be a black hole for single-use gadgets and expired food items. Here's how to tackle it:

Appliances & Gadgets:

• If it works, list it on Buy Nothing, Facebook Marketplace, or local community groups.
• For broken small appliances, check with your city's e-waste recycling program. Companies like Best Buy and Staples often accept small electronics for recycling.

Food Storage:

• That collection of mismatched plastic containers? If they're in good condition, many shelters and soup kitchens will take them.
• Recycle what you can based on your local guidelines (remember to check the number on the bottom).
• For future purchases, consider investing in glass containers that last longer and don't leach chemicals.

Pantry Items:

• Unexpired non-perishables can go to food banks.
• Compost expired dry goods if possible
• Spices past their prime? Sprinkle them in your garden as a natural pest deterrent.

Bathroom: Chemical Central

Expired Medications:

• DON'T flush them down the toilet (this contaminates water supplies).
• Many pharmacies offer take-back programs, or check if your city has hazardous waste collection events.

Personal Care Products:

• Half-empty bottles of products you hate? If they're still good, see if friends want them or donate to shelters.
• Beauty product packaging is notoriously difficult to recycle through traditional channels, so check out Pact Collective.

Towels & Linens:

• Animal shelters are always in need of old towels and washcloths.
• Very worn items can be cut up for cleaning rags, saving you from buying paper towels.

Bedroom & Closet: The Land of "Maybe Someday"

Clothing:

• Quality pieces in good condition can go to consignment stores or platforms like ThredUp or Poshmark.
• Items with some wear but still functional are perfect for donation to shelters or organizations like Dress for Success.
• For pieces beyond repair, textile recycling programs like those offered by H&M or Madewell accept fabric scraps.
• Remember our fast fashion newsletter? The same principles apply here.

Books & Media:

• Local libraries often accept donations for their collections or book sales.
• Little Free Libraries are popping up everywhere and are perfect for sharing books with your community.
• For textbooks, check out Better World Books, which donates books to literacy programs.

Living Room: The Public-Facing Clutter

Furniture:

• Large furniture in good condition can be sold on platforms like AptDeco or Facebook Marketplace.
• Look for furniture banks in your area that provide essential household items to families in need.

Electronics:

• Working electronics can be sold on Gazelle or similar platforms.
• Many manufacturers like Apple and Samsung have trade-in programs.
• For items beyond repair, electronic waste recycling is essential to prevent toxic materials from entering landfills.

Garage & Storage: Where Things Go to Be Forgotten

Chemicals & Paint:

• These absolutely cannot go in regular trash. Most cities have hazardous waste collection sites or events.
• Alternatively, check if your local hardware store accepts these items for proper disposal.

Tools & Sporting Equipment:

• Tools for Troops accepts used tools to help veterans starting new careers.
• Many schools and community centers welcome donations of sporting equipment for their programs.

LOCAL RESOURCES

Beyond the usual Goodwill drop-off (which, honestly, can be hit or miss in terms of where your stuff ultimately ends up), here are some alternatives worth exploring:

• Freecycle Network: Connect with people in your community who are giving away and getting stuff for free.
• Earth911: Enter your zip code and the item you want to recycle to find local options.
• Buy Nothing Project (seen above): Facebook groups organized by neighborhood where members give and receive items freely.
• Local Repair Cafés: Before tossing something broken, see if it can be fixed at one of these community events