How to Make Sustainable Choices When Organizing Your Home

When many people think about organizing, they picture buying new bins, baskets, and matching containers. While those products can be helpful, organizing doesn’t have to mean buying more things. In fact, one of the most sustainable approaches to organizing is simply working with what you already have.

At Simplify with Sammy, I often encourage clients to pause before purchasing organizing products and look around their home first. You might be surprised at how many useful storage solutions are already available.

Here are a few ways to make more sustainable choices while organizing your space.

Start With What You Already Have

Before heading to the store, take inventory of what’s already in your home. Many everyday items can easily be repurposed as organizing tools.

Some common examples include:

• Shoeboxes used as drawer dividers

• Mason jars for small items like craft supplies, office materials, or hardware

• Gift boxes used to contain accessories or seasonal items

• Extra baskets from other rooms

• Food containers for small parts and odds and ends

Using what you already have reduces waste and often works just as well as store-bought products.

Use Up What You Already Own

Sustainability also means using the products you already have before replacing them with something new — even if the new option is marketed as “eco-friendly.”

Take a look under the kitchen or bathroom sink. Many homes have half-empty cleaning products, extra soaps, or nearly finished shampoo bottles. Instead of replacing them right away with new sustainable brands, consider finishing what you already have first.

Once those products are empty, you can decide how to move forward:

• Reuse the bottle at a refill store

• Repurpose the container for a homemade cleaning solution (keep reading for A Simple Homemade Cleaning Solution)

• Refill it with a bulk product to reduce packaging waste

This approach prevents waste and helps you transition toward more sustainable habits over time.

Declutter Responsibly

A big part of organizing is deciding what no longer serves your space or your lifestyle. When letting go of items, try to do it thoughtfully.

Instead of throwing everything away, consider:

• Donating usable items to local organizations

• Offering items to friends, family, or neighbors

• Posting items on community groups or buy-nothing pages

• Recycling materials when possible

Many things that no longer work for you can still be useful to someone else.

Buy Organizing Products Intentionally

Sometimes containers or storage products are necessary, and that’s okay. The key is to buy them intentionally.

Before purchasing anything new, ask yourself:

• Does this item solve a specific problem in my space?

• Will it help maintain the system long-term?

• Is it durable and likely to last?

Waiting until after you declutter and group like items together will help ensure you only buy what you truly need.

Group Like Items Together

One of the most effective organizing principles is simple: keep like things with like things.

For example:

• Fabrics with fabrics

• Tools with tools

• Paint with paint

• Office supplies with office supplies

Grouping similar items together makes it easier to see what you have, prevents duplicate purchases, and helps keep systems sustainable over time.

Focus on Function Over Perfection

Sustainable organizing isn’t about creating a picture-perfect pantry or matching storage bins in every drawer. It’s about creating systems that work for your daily life.

When a system is easy to maintain, you’re more likely to keep it up! And that means less waste, fewer unnecessary purchases, and a home that supports you instead of overwhelming you.

Simple All-Purpose Cleaner

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white vinegar

• 1 cup water

• Optional: a few drops of lemon or pure essential oil

Instructions:

1. Pour the vinegar and water into a reusable spray bottle.

2. Add essential oil if you’d like a light scent.

3. Shake gently before using.

This solution works well for countertops, glass, sinks, and many everyday surfaces.

(Tip: Avoid using vinegar on natural stone like granite or marble.)