Archive for Recycle

That Darn Paper

Posted by Carolyn on

June 17, 2010

With the recent downsizing of my own parent, and the move of my SO to working from a home office, our house has a few too many boxes stashed in a few too many places. SO and I have been making a serious attempt to empty, sort and purge the contents of those boxes. I’ve become my own organizing client. And just like everyone else, it is easier sorting someone else’s stuff.

This week we tackled a backlog of paper. What a surprise I had to discover, as we fought for any extra storage space we could find for SO’s business files, many inches worth of old investment statements that were more than just a few years old. Since many of the statements are available online, and they usually send us quarterly statements anyway, we chose to shred. And shred. And shred. Our recyble bin will be full this week. Our filing cabinet has extra space and even a few shelves were liberated. Goodbye paper.

Office Organizing

Tags : home office, Paper, Recycle, shred, Small office, SOHO

Alternatives To Plastic Bags

Posted by jennievlietstra on

June 9, 2010

We’ve talked about recycling plastic bags but there are other approaches to keep your plastic bags from overflowing – reducing your plastic bag use with reusable containers. From cloth and nylon bags, to boxes and baskets, or backpacks and push carts there are many alternative ways to reduce the number of plastic bags accumulating in your home. The less you have the easier it will be to stay organized.

My favourite plastic alternative is the compact style that easily rolls up or folds into a pouch. I carry one or two of these in my bag. This way I’m always ready to say, “No thanks, I don’t need a bag.” For larger shopping trips, like the grocery store, collect a few reusable bags ready for the task. Reusable boxes or baskets are a great alternative to bags if you shop by car. After you unpack your groceries return your bags, boxes and baskets to the trunk, so you won’t forget them for the next shop! If you shop by walking through your neighbourhood consider utilizing a backpack or a push cart with reusable boxes layered inside.

The best part about plastic bag alternatives is the choice. You can customize your bags and boxes to compliment the type of shopping that you do regularly, choose your favourite colours and style. Have fun with them and get creative. I would love to hear from you about your favourite plastic bag alternative.

If you would like to see some examples of plastic bag alternatives visit www.reusablebags.com/store/shopping-bags-c-2.html. Please note this is a US based site, but they showcase several bags that may be available in your local area. In my neighbourhood several stores carry the Envirosax (www.envirosax.ca) and Reisenthel (www.reisenthel.com) brands. Whenever I can I try to shop local and support my community retailers.

Toronto Retailers

binz
1934 Queen Street East Toronto
416-690-4611
www.binz.ca

iQliving
542 Danforth Ave Toronto
416-466-2727
www.iqliving.com

NEAT
628 Queen Street West Toronto
416-368-6328
www.neatspace.ca

Solutions
2329 Yonge Street Toronto
647-430-8749
See website for additional locations:
www.solutions-stores.ca

Organizing Resources

Tags : Binz, Envirosax, iQliving, NEAT, Recycle, Reisenthel, Solutions

Recycling Plastic Bags

Posted by jennievlietstra on

June 4, 2010

When my local recycling program added plastic grocery and shopping bags to their list of acceptable recyclables I was so happy. People with bags of bags know what I’m talking about. Finally, there was an option for disposing all of those indestructible plastics, other than the landfill for the next 1,000 years.

To reduce your bag accumulation start by sorting out all of those with holes or rips and put those bags that can be recycled into the bin. Next chose one bag and fill it with durable bags that will be good for reuse. Use this one bag as a guideline for limiting your collection. Keep only what you can realistically use. Let go of the rest.

For local Toronto residents June 1, 2010 marked the first day that all retail plastic shopping bags must be recyclable in Toronto’s recycling program. This bylaw prevents retailers from offering plastic bags with metal detailing or grommets, rope or hard plastic handles and biodegradable or compostable bags. (For more information on the inclusion of biodegradable and compostable bags see http://www.toronto.ca/garbage/biodegradable_plastic.htm)

Next week, Alternatives to Plastic Bags

Home Organizing

Tags : Recycle, sorting strategies

Downsizing Dilemmas – Auctions

Posted by Carolyn on

June 1, 2009

When it comes to the really big downsizing projects – from the family home to a 900 sq.ft. condo, sometimes there just aren’t enough family members or grandchildren to absorb all the pieces of furniture – loved though they may be – that have accumulated over the years. Furniture consignment stores are popping up all over cities these days in an attempt to keep some of the items in circulation, make a little money for the original owner and establish a new industry along the way.

Another alternative is to auction off your unwanted items at a local auctioneer. Many of you are familiar with the names of high end auction houses; the names we sometimes hear about when a piece of artwork is sold, such as Waddington’s or Ritchies. Do you know the names of local auctioneers in your neighbourhood or city who are familiar with the auctioning of estates, farm or recreational properties or just the accumulation of items that are no longer needed by someone?

Auction houses usually work on a percentage basis i.e. they keep a percentage of the sale price of your items after the sale and give you the balance. Some will pick up your items, usually for a fee. In some cases, if an entire home is on the auction block, the auction house will hold the auction at the home itself. In other cases, several estates or home contents (lots) will be sold off at a regular auction held by the auction house.

To find an auction house, check online for auctioneers in your area. In Ontario (Canada) you can also check with the Ontario Auctioneer Association.

Home Organizing

Tags : auctions, Clearing Clutter, Downsizing, mess, organizing strategies, Recycle

Garden Shed Time – It’s Spring

Posted by Carolyn on

May 14, 2009

For Canadians, this weekend brings the long awaited Victoria Day Weekend – the first of our almost monthly summer long weekends and traditionally the weekend for cottage openings and annual plantings.

If you are heading for garden, this will be a great weekend to organize that shed. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Start by emptying the entire shed if feasible. Once it is empty, you will be able to start with a clean slate.
Sweep out the cobwebs, mouse droppings and other debris.
Review all your tools, shovels, rakes and hoes. Are there any that are broken, rusted or beyond repair? Throw out the unrepairable and fix what’s needed.
Think vertical and you will find lots more fresh storage space that you may not have realized existed. The rakes, hoes, shovels can be stored on hooks or nails on the walls. This will get them out of the way and make them readily available when you are ready to rake.
Hang one shopping bag on another hook or nail to hold your digging and planting tools and a separate one for your garden gloves. The cloth recycled plastic bags readily available in stores are a great storage tool. Label with a permanent marker.
Seeds that are stored in a plaster or metal box will be out of temptation’s way if rodents are a regular visitor to your shed. This is especially true of grass seed.
Review your solution bottles and know your pesticide by-laws. Many jurisdictions have outlawed the use of pesticides. Check with your municipality to see where you can take the pesticides for disposal. Then check out your local garden centre to find an environmentally friendly alternative.
Go vertical to store your plant food, insect repellent and anti fungal/bacterial agents. No matter how eco-friendly they may be, they are still not child friendly. Store them high on a shelf, clearly labelled.
Make sure your shed is childproof for entry. Kids love to play in beautiful gardens full of butterflies, colourful flowers and sweet smelling blooms. Consider a secure lock or latch for the shed and a separate toy box that the kids can use outside the shed.

Last but not least, when your work is done, put up your feet and enjoy your garden!

Home Organizing

Tags : Garden, Recycle

25 Things to do Before Christmas – #8 Clear out Toys

Posted by Carolyn on

December 18, 2008

#8 Clear out Kids’ Toys – There will be more toys arriving in a week’s time. Why not get a jump start on your organization before they do?

Give your children each a box appropriate to their size and age. Tell them they have 10 minutes to fill the box with toys that they no longer play with, may have outgrown or do not like.

Ten minutes later you could all make a trip to a local charity office to donate the toys. (Depending on your space for storage you may want to save them for a garage sale in May or a toy box for younger sibings.)

With the toys reduced, you will have an opportunity to review if the toys storage for your children is still appropriate for their age. If you have children moving from toddlers to preschool age, do you have shallow bins on the floor for them to access their toys? If you have school age children, have you moved from the shallow bins for preschoolers to sorting bins? Sorting and patterning is one of the first task children master in school. They can do the same thing at home sorting toys into difference coloured bins for pre-readers and labelled bins/boxes for the older children.

Home Organizing

Tags : Children, Recycle, sorting strategies, toys

Truck Loads of Coats

Posted by Carolyn on

November 12, 2008

The weather is chilly, the snow is threatening and winter is looming in the shape of a big, grey, cold cloud. I promised last week that I would report on the success of Bob McGee’s (CHFI, Toronto) coat drive from last weekend.

Toronto has proven once again it is a city with lots of heart and closets with lightening potential. Over 10,000 coats were collected which will be distributed to children where needed. Here’s a picture of the truck loads. Way to go TO!

Organizing Strategies

Tags : Donating, Recycle

Warming up the City – Clear out the Coats

Posted by Carolyn on

November 4, 2008

OK folks, time to clear out the closets. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find as many unused coats in your closets as possible. Think of the space you could free up! Think of the warmth you could pass on to someone else!

Bob McGee from Toronto’s CHFI FM radio station is, for the 5th year, collecting coats for children this weekend. Here is the link to the details where you can drop off the coats.

http://www.chfi.com/events/more.jsp?content=20081020_142107_26440

Let’s make this a challenge. I’d like to see how many coats this blog can send out to Bob and friends to help keep the kids warm. Add your comments and tell me how many coats you are send up. I’ll report the tally on Monday.

Home Organizing

Tags : Donating, Recycle

Client Questions – How do I recycle my old eyeglasses?

Posted by Carolyn on

September 11, 2008

This question came from a client who had just replaced her glasses. She was eager to see her old glasses put to good use.

Most reputable opticians (in Canada) collect their client’s unwanted eye glasses to send to communities overseas for use by individuals who otherwise would not have access to eye glasses. Ask your optician directly if they participate in such a program or for redirection to another optical store that does.

Home Organizing

Tags : Client Questions, Recycle

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