Most organizing solutions come wrapped in plastic, shipped in boxes (affiliate) twice their size, and designed to fall apart in two years, so you'll buy replacements. But if you plan ahead, you will find you can do sustainable organizing without spending much. It's about choosing quality over quantity, repurposing what you already have, and investing in solutions that work with the planet, too. This sustainable organizing guide will show you exactly how to organize your home to reduce waste and create systems that actually last.
This topic is near and dear to my heart because I have seen way too many people and clients buy items that don't work and end up just trashing them because they didn't function for their space and the plans they had.
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Jump to:
- Key Takeaways
- Understanding Sustainable Organizing
- Eco-Friendly Organizing Tips
- How to Incorporate Sustainability into Your Home
- How to Label Mason Jars That Actually Stay On - My 10-Year-Tested Method
- DIY Electric Toothbrush Holder
- Soup Can to DIY Makeup Brush Holder
- What to do with an Old Hair Gel Container
- Adorable Repurposed Cotton Ball Glass Jar Idea {DIY Project}
- Upcycling Vitamin Bottle Craft Project to store small things
- Beautify Powder Room Sink Cabinet Idea
- Easy Small Bathroom DIY Ideas You Can Do This Weekend
- How to Create a Bathroom Mason Jar Wall Organizer
- Orange and Yellow Glass Gem Craft on Mason Jar
- How to make a Green and Blue Glass Gem Craft on Mason Jar
- How to Make Masculine Days of the Week Clothing Organizer
- How to Make Chalk Paint Days of the Week Clothing Organizer
- How to Update a Wardrobe Cabinet for More Storage
- How to Make Repurposed DIY Day of the Week Closet Dividers
- How to Decorate a Tray with Pressed Flowers using Mod Podge
- 19 Creative Ways to Reuse Meal Delivery Containers
- How to Make a Desk Organizer on the Cheap
- Upcycled Springtime Soup Can Craft Ideas
- Soup Can with Natural Cork Fabric DIY Project
- Upcycling Candle Jar into a Cute Marker Holder
- How to Change a Tin Can into a Marker Bin
- How to Change a Plain Soup Can into a Gorgeous DIY Pencil Holder
- How To Upcycle Planters Into A Desk Pencil Holder
- DIY Votive Candle Makeover: From Trash to Treasure
- 10 Tips for a Sustainable Mindset While Organizing
- Closing
Key Takeaways
- Sustainable organizing focuses on quality over quantity, emphasizing using what you already have instead of buying new.
- The three pillars of sustainable organizing include purging excess, creatively reusing items, and investing in durable materials.
- Start with what you already own and consider eco-friendly swaps like using glass containers (affiliate) instead of plastic.
- Use DIY methods to repurpose various materials for organizing, which not only reduces waste but also saves money in the long run.
- Adopt a sustainablemindset by questioning your purchases, recycling, and prioritizing secondhand options as part of your sustainable organizing tips.
Understanding Sustainable Organizing
Sustainable organizing isn't just buying bamboo drawer dividers (affiliate) and calling it a day. It's a complete mindset shift about how you approach your space, your stuff, and your purchasing decisions. Traditional organizing focuses on containing what you own. Sustainable organizing starts by questioning whether you need to own it at all, then builds systems using materials that won't outlive you in a landfill.
The three pillars of sustainable organizing:
- Purge first, by eliminating excess before you organize anything. Recycle as much as you can, and donate or give away the rest.
- Reuse creatively by repurposing containers, furniture (affiliate), and materials you already have. This is what I love to do on my blog: I'm all about upcycling sturdy items to organize small things in my home. Visit my DIY Home Organizing Craft page for a variety of inspiring, easy-to-make craft projects.
- Invest wisely in durable, natural materials that last for decades rather than months. I have bins that we have reused and repurposed for over 20 years, and they are still sturdy and usable. That beats going into a landfill, right?
When you organize sustainably, you're not just tidying your home. You're actively reducing demand for single-use plastics, decreasing the carbon footprint of constant replacement purchases, and modeling better consumption habits for everyone in your household.
The result? Spaces that feel calmer, systems that work better, and a home that reflects your values instead of contradicting them.
Eco-Friendly Organizing Tips
Most people think going green means spending more, but the smartest sustainable organizing solutions cost nothing.
Start with what you already own.
That shoebox under your bed? Perfect drawer divider (affiliate). Glass jars from pasta sauce? Ideal pantry (affiliate) storage. Cardboard boxes (affiliate)? Cardboard boxes (affiliate) from new glassware? Cut them down for custom drawer organizers. Check out my How to Make A DIY Spray Bottles Organizer post for an idea. Before you buy a single thing, walk through your home with your recycling bin (affiliate) with fresh eyes. This approach costs nothing, eliminates waste, and often creates better custom solutions than store-bought alternatives.
Below are the highest eco-friendly swaps you can do today!
- Replace plastic bins (affiliate) with natural-fiber baskets: look for ones made from seagrass wicker (affiliate), water hyacinth wicker (affiliate), or bamboo, which biodegrade at the end of their life cycle. Look for them at discount stores like HomeGoods, Marshall's, and TJ Maxx for the best deals.
- Use glass containers (affiliate) instead of plastic for food storage; they last forever and don't leach chemicals.
- Choose wooden hangers (affiliate) over plastic or wire because they're stronger, last decades, and keep clothing in better shape. I have ones from my dad who passed away 20 years ago.
- Opt for cloth storage bins for seasonal items instead of plastic totes (affiliate) that crack and yellow.
- Old baskets, luggage (affiliate), and bins you've shoved in closets already function perfectly as storage; they just need reassignment to more visible, functional locations.
- Shoeboxes and cardboard packaging transform into drawer dividers (affiliate), cable organizers, and closet shelf separators when cut to size and covered with fabric scraps or leftover wallpaper.
- Buy secondhand organizing furniture (affiliate) from thrift stores and estate sales instead of particle board pieces that off-gas and fall apart. There are plenty of unique storage bins at second-hand places that you can use creatively to organize things in your home. I have seen clients and friends repurpose their wicker bins (affiliate) as trash cans (affiliate) and bins to hold blankets (affiliate), and it works perfectly.
Eco-Friendly Organizer Options
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Bamboo Storage Bin Container by mDesign
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The Container Store Shoji Bamboo Desktop Organizer
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Glass Whiteboard Dry Erase Board by TANKEE
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The money math works out too. A quality woven basket costs more upfront than a plastic bin, but you'll use it for 20 years instead of replacing it three times. A set of glass containers (affiliate) seems expensive until you realize you'll never buy another set.
In the long run, sustainable organizing is actually cheaper because you stop buying the same things over and over.
Did you know? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that glass containers make up roughly 4.7 million tons of municipal solid waste annually in the United States. (Let's reuse them instead!)
How to Incorporate Sustainability into Your Home
Making your entire home sustainable will not happen overnight. The goal isn't perfection. It's progress. Start with one space that bothers you and make changes. Below are some DIY and repurposing ideas to help you sustainably organize the main places of your home.
Organizing the Kitchen: Sustainable Examples
Swap out your plastic containers (affiliate) for glass ones. Buy a variety of sizes in glass food storage containers. Use Mason Jars (affiliate) for dried goods. You can easily get a case at Target, Walmart, or even the grocery store. Check out how to label (affiliate) them permanently in my post:
How to Label Mason Jars That Actually Stay On - My 10-Year-Tested Method
10-Year Update: I originally published this tutorial in 2016. These chalkboard tape labels are still going strong after nearly 10 years and countless dishwasher cycles. This method works. Scroll down to see the 2023 proof photo. If you've ever tried to label mason jars, you know the struggle. Whiteboard markers smudge when you touch them.
Organizing the Bathroom: Sustainable Examples
For the bathroom, you can use a variety of acrylic or plastic bins (affiliate) in the wet areas. However, I would stay away from fabric, metal, and wicker if the area you need to organize is near water. Below are some ways I upcycled and repurposed items to organize my bathroom.
DIY Electric Toothbrush Holder
If you're like me, you have an electric toothbrush in your home. Here is how we organized ours in a makeup holder we had.
Soup Can to DIY Makeup Brush Holder
Cleaned metal soup cans are great to repurpose to help you organize your home. They're an easy, cost-effective way to organize any cluttered space.
What to do with an Old Hair Gel Container
I recently changed hair products, and the new hair gel container was so cute and durable that I wanted to use it.
Adorable Repurposed Cotton Ball Glass Jar Idea {DIY Project}
Repurposed Cotton Balls Glass Jars are a great way to get organized without spending too much. This post shares one that I did recently using a salsa jar. Yes, a salsa jar.
Upcycling Vitamin Bottle Craft Project to store small things
Upcycling everyday items is a fantastic way to reduce waste while adding a custom touch to your home decor or even helping with organizing your home.
Beautify Powder Room Sink Cabinet Idea
Did you ever feel embarrassed about what your family and friends see under your vanity in your powder room? Well, this post is for you!
Easy Small Bathroom DIY Ideas You Can Do This Weekend
The bathroom can get pretty shabby when several people are using it. Why not freshen it up with these bathroom DIY ideas you can do this weekend? I
How to Create a Bathroom Mason Jar Wall Organizer
We have one large bathroom in our home. In the bathroom, my daughter and I share a vanity area. Although my son and husband need some items, we also store them in our vanity, such as cotton balls and Q-tips.
Orange and Yellow Glass Gem Craft on Mason Jar
Mason Jars are great for upcycling craft projects. I particularly like to use them with electric tea lights to create a mood in the home.
How to make a Green and Blue Glass Gem Craft on Mason Jar
Mason Jars are a great way to store items. They are super handy and easy to decorate if you do not want a simple clear jar storing your things.
Organizing the Closet: Sustainable Examples
Some other sustainable materials for the closet can be used from other organizers you have used from other areas of your home instead of buying new. I updated a tray and repurposed it in my closet to hold random items like jewelry (affiliate) containers and other things so they wouldn't fall off my shelf. I have also repurposed items to organize my daily outfits. Check them out below. These are all DIY posts where I share the step-by-step instructions so you can make them as well.
How to Make Masculine Days of the Week Clothing Organizer
Women are not the only ones who like to organize their clothing by day of the week. Men also prefer not to think about what to wear during the week. Many famous people would rather wear the same thing each day than organize their clothing. But, if you like to change your outfits each
How to Make Chalk Paint Days of the Week Clothing Organizer
If you don't know by now, I love to use a closet organizer to organize the week's clothing. I'm about to show you another set I made for my child's closet.
How to Update a Wardrobe Cabinet for More Storage
Years ago, I purchased and customized a unique wardrobe for my daughter's small room. I've written and shared my other DIY projects for this room. Feel free to check them out. This post will show you how to update a wardrobe cabinet for increased storage space.
How to Make Repurposed DIY Day of the Week Closet Dividers
Whether you call them day-of-the-week closet dividers, closet dividers, Monday through Friday clothing organizers, or anything else, these little day-of-the-week closet dividers are so useful to help you manage your daily clothing.
How to Decorate a Tray with Pressed Flowers using Mod Podge
Already-made pressed flowers can be used for many things. I am going to show you a way to use pressed flowers with Mod Podge to upscale your tray. This DIY project is easy with a few different supplies you probably have in your craft area right now.
19 Creative Ways to Reuse Meal Delivery Containers
If you are like me, you receive a meal delivery each week. I like that the delivery companies provide everything and all I have to do is pull out the food and cook.
Organizing the Home Office AND Student Study Area: Sustainable Examples
The pattern you'll notice is simple. Natural materials, vintage finds, and creative reuse beat buying new plastic every single time. Not just environmentally, but also visually appealing and functional.
How to Make a Desk Organizer on the Cheap
Organizing your desk will help you stay organized and reduce distractions. If you have clutter in your home office or craft area, making a desk organizer will help.
Upcycled Springtime Soup Can Craft Ideas
We celebrate Earth Day in April. It is a wonderful time to pull some of those soup cans (tin cans) out of your recycling bin or trash and make them into special springtime soup can craft ideas.
Soup Can with Natural Cork Fabric DIY Project
Want to get organized but don't have the money to buy fancy organizers? Tin cans (soup cans) are especially easy to upcycle and use for your next DIY home organization project.
Upcycling Candle Jar into a Cute Marker Holder
Have you ever loved a glass jar candle, but when the candle was finished, you didn't know what to do with the glass jar? This post will share an upcycling idea for a candle jar to turn it into a cute marker holder.
How to Change a Tin Can into a Marker Bin
Tin cans are super easy to repurpose. But instead of just using them to organize small things in your home, how about making them pretty? Here is how I transformed a tin can into a marker bin.
How to Change a Plain Soup Can into a Gorgeous DIY Pencil Holder
Upcycling is super fun! All you need is creativity, a few things, and a plan. This week, I will share with you how to change a plain soup can into a gorgeous DIY Pencil Holder. It's great for your kids' study zone, a command station area, or home office.
How To Upcycle Planters Into A Desk Pencil Holder
In the coming weeks, I will share with you some DIY projects I did recently. If you have an aversion to DIY projects, have no fear; these projects are so easy and fun to do that you will be amazed.
DIY Votive Candle Makeover: From Trash to Treasure
This DIY Votive Candle Makeover uses leftover colorful twine to wrap the glass, creating a stylish little bin. This method is incredibly versatile.
10 Tips for a Sustainable Mindset While Organizing
Organizing while protecting the environment is easy when you have your mindset adjusted for that goal. Below, I am sharing 10 tips for a sustainable mindset while organizing.
BEFORE buying anything, ask, "Can this be reused?" before "Where do I put this?"
These storage organizers are often already sitting in your recycling bin (affiliate).
Use these sorting categories: keep, donate, repurpose instead of just keep or toss.
Trash should be the last option, not the second.
Repurpose your jars.
When you finish up a jar in your home, save one jar or container per "category" (spice jars, yogurt cups) instead of buying brand new matching bins at the store.
Set a time limit before buying new.
Set a time limit before buying an organizing bin. Give yourself a 24-hour rule before buying a new organizer. Always check what you already own first.
Pick glass and metal over plastic
When needing to organize, choose glass and metal containers over plastic; they last longer and look better long-term.
Take a moment to ponder what the next life of the object could be.
Turn your organizing day into a "before it goes in the bin" checkpoint to determine if it can become something else. Ask "Can I use this for another organizing project?" I like to ask this question when I organize with clients, my kids, or on my own. Check out my The Adventures of Bob the Bin story.
Craft supplies in bins
Keep a small "craft supply" bin for lids, ribbon, and trim saved from packaging; future projects start here. I like to divide them up into Holidays and separate out Christmas holiday in another bin because I usually have several of these themed red and green items.
No more stickers; try reusable tags instead.
Label (affiliate) with reusable tags (chalkboard, dry-erase) instead of stickers you'll peel off later. Below are some of my favorites for wicker bins (affiliate).
Wicker Labels: 12PCS Basket Labels Clip On for Storage Bins
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Wicker Labels: 18 Pcs Acrylic Basket Labels, Storage Tags with Chalk Marker Removable
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Wicker Labels: 18 Pcs Plastic Basket Bin Label Clip on Removable Basket Label Clip
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Visit second-hand stores to find bins
Buy secondhand organizers (baskets, drawer dividers (affiliate)) before new ones. Thrift stores are goldmines for organizing your home. Be sure that if you buy wicker bins (affiliate), they don't smell or look like there is mildew on them.
Buy the right size.
Measure twice, buy once. An organizer that doesn't fit becomes clutter itself.
Closing
Well, there you have it. I hope this ultimate guide to sustainable organizing helps you keep items out of the landfill and helps you get your home organized. These ideas can also apply to an office or small business, so share them with others to spread the word.
Now it is your turn; please share your favorite repurposing organizing project you did recently. I would love to hear from you.
Julie Bestry says
For years, I had plastic food storage containment because it was lightweight and convenient. However, I've slowly replaced plasticware with glassware in the kitchen, and it has made all the difference. Yes, it's heavier, but it's also easier to clean and longer lasting.
For clients, I'm a huge believer in "shopping the house," and it's amazing how often you can find an ideal solution without having to acquire anything new at all!
Sabrina Quairoli says
That is great, Julie. I agree; it does make a difference. When my kids were little, I switched all my containers, except for the extra-large one, to glass. It works well. I wish I could find an extra-large 5-quart or bigger glass food storage container. Then I would be free of plastic containers.
Janet Barclay says
I totally want to do this, but how do you freeze leftovers without plastic containers?
Sabrina Quairoli says
Most glass containers are able to freeze. Pick ones that have 4 lockable sides and check to see if the glass is freezer friendly.
Janet Barclay says
Thanks, Sabrina. I realized later that of course you can freeze glass - I have a couple of Pyrex dishes with lids that I've used that way many times!
What I've been trying to figure out is how to replace freezer bags when splitting up packages of meat. One thing at a time, I guess!
Sabrina Quairoli says
Yes, I get that. I have been trying to figure that out as well.
Cathy Borg says
"Shop the house first" is advice I love, and you make an excellent case. The money math on a woven basket lasting twenty years versus replacing a plastic bin three times is the argument to use with people who think sustainable means expensive.
Sabrina Quairoli says
Yes, Cathy. My philosophy is that my clients are paying for my time; if at all possible, they don't need to spend more money on organizers. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. =)
Linda Samuels says
I love your commitment to recycling, reusing, and upcycling! You've written so many posts with creative ideas about how to do this.
You reminded me of something I upcycled when my kids were little. I used to buy wipes that came in containers that looked like Lego bricks. After the wipes were used up, I repurposed the containers and used them for small toys. They were stackable, small, and the kids loved them. I affixed a label on each with a picture of what was inside.
While I do like traditional drawer organizers, I also use cardboard boxes, especially tiny ones, for organizing some of my office and art supplies.
I think your point is well taken. Pay attention to the materials you use. If you're going to invest in products, consider their quality and how long they'll last. Or, buy previously loved items to keep things out of the landfill.
Sabrina Quairoli says
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Linda. I love those ideas about the wipes boxes.
Jonda Beattie says
I love the idea of repurposing items you own or that are easy and cheap to obtain but lasting for organizing your home. I use tall trash cans for laundry hampers and to store rolls of gift wrap. I use small cardboard boxes (think boxes that greeting cards come in size) for desk dividers and glass jars for kitchen items. I am not the kind of person who likes to fancy things up look wise, so I just use them as they are. They are tucked away in drawers or behind doors so that is just fine for me.
Sabrina Quairoli says
I love that idea about the tall trash cans for laundry hampers and for gift wrap rolls. Terrific! Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Jonda. I really appreciate it.
DIANE Quintana says
Great post with wonderful project ideas. I love repurposing furniture to use it in different rooms and to hold things it may not have held (or organized before). Like wrapping paper in a chest of drawers - instead of an acrylic holder.
Currently, I'm repurposing glass jars and using them to hold different sized screws, nails, and other tools in a woodworking shop.
Sabrina Quairoli says
I am right there with you, Diane. When I am done using a jar, I stash it in my organizing supplies area in my closet. I pull from these items before I go and purchase anything. It saves me time and money. =) Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I really appreciate it.
Seana Turner says
I always "shop the house" when organizing a client's space. We can always come back later and order a new container if we want to, but most people have some things on hand. As you say, so much packaging can be reused.
I will say to be careful using glass if you have little hands that might be involved. Broken glass can turn into an injury quickly. I also agree that plastic in wet spaces is the way to go. Fabric works well with clothing because it breathes.
Loving the overall perspective of sustainable organizing, which really begins with being mindful before I bring something into my house!
Sabrina Quairoli says
Good point, Seana. Glass can be dangerous for little ones. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I really appreciate it.