Do you like to reduce, to reuse, to recycle, to be organized, DIY solutions, and CATS? Then this is for you! If you are a cat owner who buys litter in those plastic jugs (pictured) you may have wondered, as I have, if there was some way to repurpose these things, especially since they fill up almost half a trash can. Well, today I hit on a solution that really satisfies the recycler and organizer in me.

It also satisfies the “simplist” in me because it is so easy to do. I simply got my sharp utility knife and cut off the spouts and handles of my cat litter jug collection.  It’s a straight easy cut. I then do a quick clean and label each one saying “batteries,” “light bulbs,” “e-waste,” ”eyeglasses,” and “cell phones.”  Now, I don’t expect most people to need a corral for eyeglasses and cell phones (I gather them from my clients to donate), but there may be other items you collect to recycle and of course you may not need five bins. Here’s the cool thing about five bins though, they fit a standard size utility shelf PERFECTLY!

You may find this to be a tad fussy with stuff that is essentially garbage, but think about it. Recycling has gotten easier with the single-stream recycling program now offered in many towns, but toxic disposal has not gotten any easier. In the real world you don’t want to take your drained T.V. remote batteries to Staples the moment you replace them. You want to make it worth the trip. So give yourself this simple solution to collect a worthwhile load. Same goes with the e-waste you return to Best Buy.

Many is the time I have seen loose batteries in a drawer and the client tells me they haven’t tossed them because they want to properly dispose of them. Of course this doesn’t happen hidden in a drawer, so they get mixed up with the NEW loose batteries. Then the drawer gets filled up with batteries that are neither used nor tossed. Now THAT’S a waste!

By the way, in case you’re thinking that collecting empty litter containers sounds like hoarding, allow me to distinguish. I knew that they would provide a clean, well-sized, and well-shaped structure for something, but I didn’t know just what. I kept them all in the garage and all in the same area so I could clearly see how much space they were taking up AND I gave myself a 6 month limit. If half a year passes and I can’t find a use for these things, out they go! They are now no longer wasting space but freeing up space in more important areas of the house by establishing an exit zone to safely circulate toxic items out of my home.

Finally, if you like this idea, but don’t have cats, let me know. I can count on Sally and Daniel to provide a surplus of new mini recycling bins that you can have!

In this economy I realize that many of us have to go the DIY route, so here are some useful tips:

• Have an Exit Strategy- Before you dive into the clutter, put together a simple game plan for where it’s all going to go, because it’s so satisfying to get the garbage and donations out on the same day. Find out what time your local dump and donation service close down, if you’re doing the disposing yourself. Also, find out what items your donation service does and does not take. I’ve found that Goodwill tends to take the most, but Salvation Army sometimes will do pick-ups. If you want a one-stop shop for all disposal and donation, residents of Fairfield County will find no better service than Junkluggers. They’re terrific.
• Prevent Regrets- This takes just a little planning but it keep mistakes from being made. Start by clearing away one wall. Clear it 100%, even if you know you will be returning items to it. Reserve that wall for donation items, nothing else. Again 100%. Do the same with the trash. Reduce the guesswork to zero. This practice is particularly important if you are getting help with transporting donations and disposal, but it can also help prevent family squabbles.
• Like With Like- By making an effort to sort like with like, it is easier to really get a handle on your priorities. For example, let’s say you collect all your Christmas decorations in one place and it fills up half your basement. OK so Christmas is important, but what about that home office you’ve wanted to find a place for? By putting all your Christmas items together in one place it is easier to see how much you would be gaining by giving up half. Without this context you may decide you should save that faded, plastic Santa. WITH this context it’s easier to ponder whether you would really miss faded, plastic Santa AND how much it would cost to replace him in the unlikely event you actually DID miss him. Sorting survey says sayonara sallow Santa.
• Decision Table- Anyone who has worked with us knows we don’t go anywhere without our trusty decision table and for good reason. You may not notice it as you dive into those first bags and boxes of clutter, but after a while the repeated bending over can really take a toll on your back. Also, it’s just much easier to make decisions about your stuff if you can clearly see it, spread it out and process it on a clear, flat, well-lit surface.
• Take photos- this may sound unnecessary, but what I’ve found is that it’s surprisingly easy to forget how cluttered your space is after you’ve cleared it. It is tremendously satisfying to take before-and-after photos and it empowers you to take action with your next clutter challenge.

Hope these tips help and if you do take some photos I’d love to see them!