Balancing decluttering and RRR...

[noobmom]

Mods--Since this topic encompasses both decluttering/simplifying and reduce, reuse, recycle, I put it here, but it might be better somewhere else!

The first time I was pregnant, I nested by straightening all our finances and legal stuff (wills, etc.) This time, my urge is to declutter and organize! But, I'm having a hard time reconciling my decluttering with trying to recycle/repurpose objects. I know that the main thing I should do is to REDUCE since fits nicely with both concepts. But as for the stuff I already have here are some examples:

cardboard boxes--Hey, you never know when you'll need a cardboard box, whether to ship a package or to make a cardboard house/car/toy for DS. Plus, I keep worms for vermicomposting, so I use the cardboard as their bedding. That said, cardboard is pretty much available all the time, so I really should just recycle it and just find cardboard when I need it, right?

fabric scraps/old clothes--I'm mildly crafty. I've been collecting wool sweaters to make wool soakers/longies (which I do--so it's not just pipe dream). But I can't throw away (compost? recycle?) the scraps. The larger scraps are good for other felt crafts and even the small scraps I want to save to use as stuffing for toys I've never made.

Glass jars--esp since moving away from buying juice, etc. in plastic, which I always just stuck into the recycling bin, my glass jar/jug collection is growing. I'm currently working on my emergency water storage, so that's using up all my jugs, but my husband is starting to get antsy about the number of glass jars in our cabinets. There really isn't enough space to save anymore!

Anyway, those are just a few examples. I'm more interested in a general discussion about how you personally reconcile the two ideals, rather than specific solutions to my problems.

Anyway, those

[doubledutch]

you don't have to be the one to reuse it. you can craigslist or freecycle that stuff because someone else will be very happy to put it to good use! i totally agree with you that those are all very useful items/materials. you'll be blessing someone else's life by passing them on, and gaining space/order at the same time.

[Jackies Ladybug]

i constantly have to fight the urge to keep all of my glass jars.
it is really hard for me to give them up, but i just recently posted about 100 of them on craigslist for free and they went to someone who can really use them.

that is WAY more in line with the 3Rs than storing them like i was.

good luck, its a constant battle for me.

[LaughingHyena]

I keep a lot of fabric scraps, used wrapping paper and that sort of thing with crafts in mind. However it's easy to end up with far too much, especially since I don't get much crafting time.

We just cleared out our loft which was one of my main storage spaces and I was amazed at how much I had put up there and then forgotten about and probably ended up buying more.

My new resolution (moving house seems to have involved a lot of new resolutions ) is that I have more accessible storage for these things. That means the storage space will be smaller but since it's easier for me to get too I'm hoping that I will not get over run with stuff.

For the stuff I will not get time to use I find that most of it finds a new home through freecycle or by taking it to my daughters school. I've found that posting my crafty ideas along with it makes things more likely to go.

Freecycle has changed my outlook quite a lot too. After a few months of paying close attention to what came up I find I can easily say, this can go because it can be easily replaced if I need too (eg glass jars come up a lot on our freecycle so there is no need for me to keep more that 4 or 5). Other things I know will be harder to replace so those are the things I'll hang onto.

[sunnysandiegan]

I find this is a delicate balance, as well.

I have three "collections" (fabric, paper, toiletries) and the rest I am pretty good with maintaining at optimal levels. With all areas, I tend to focus on the space allocated to the item. Once that space is full, it is time to part with the oldest/least used/least efficient/least loved. I will rearrange items sometimes to accommodate a shift in priorities, but I generally just stick to the allocated space method of natural "attrition".

The only real difference in my three "collections" versus all others is that I allocate more space to them due to the priority I place on them. I use those items (not just dream of using them), so I am okay with more space for them. They make me smile and I *adore* those items as far as "things" go. I have committed to not buying any more of those items until my supplies are naturally down enough to fit anything new. My frugal angle worked well for awhile and then well-meaning friends gifted me lots of really nice items! I finally had to express my gratitude and explain my space constraints politely.