Organize Blog » What Should You Do With Your Stuff?

What Should You Do With Your Stuff?

What do you do when you want to dispose of unwanted stuff, but can’t seem to part with it. Take the lead from my special guest, Lorie Marrero, and she will get you set up on a disposal plan that will get you organized in no time.
Create Your Own Disposal Plan

By Lorie Marrero

It’s springtime! You’ve opened up the windows and started getting into that spring cleaning mode. You’re all motivated to tackle the cluttered closets and other spaces that have nagged at you through the long winter. Great! However, one of the big mistakes that people make is jumping into an organizing project without first thinking through their strategy.

First, ask yourself some questions about who is using the space and what functions you’re trying to perform there. Have a strong understanding of what you’re trying to accomplish beyond just “cleaning up.”

Make sure you think through what you’re going to do with the items you don’t want. We have often seen people do a great organizing project yet have ugly piles still sitting around afterward for months because they didn’t make decisions about disposal.

Disposal doesn’t necessarily mean “trash.” It includes donations, items to give to friends, recycling, and just plain trash. It’s a good idea to make a Disposal Plan as a future reference for you to follow as you tackle your organizing projects. When you’re finished organizing, you want to be free and clear of the debris as soon as possible so you can enjoy the results, and your Disposal Plan can make that happen.

Here are some guidelines for creating your own Disposal Plan:

Trash:
•    When are your normal curbside trash pickup days? Depending upon your needs, it may be beneficial to schedule your organizing projects around your pickup days.
•    What is the name and phone number of your waste disposal company?
•    When does your trash service pick up large items like mattresses?
•    Where in your community is the correct drop off location for hazardous waste such as paint and household chemicals?

Recycling:
•    What are my recycling service’s guidelines for accepting paper, plastics, steel cans, aluminum cans, and glass? Find out the specific types allowed.
•    What are the local recycling drop off locations and phone numbers?
•    What unusual things do you have to recycle?

Giving to Friends/Family:
• List friends and family members to whom you might want to give some of your belongings, noting what kinds of things they might like to have.
• Key question: ARE YOU SURE they want these items?

Donations:
• Note names, phone numbers, acceptable items, and pickup guidelines for at least two charitable organizations in your area.
• When doing an organizing project, schedule a charity pickup in advance to help keep you accountable to getting your project finished!

Don’t know some of this information? Use friends, Google or the phone book to help you find out. Make sure you take action to get the information you need. Having these decisions made and this information handy can bring your organizing goals into reach much faster.

So as spring brings fresh colors and new styles, I hope Lorie’s expertise organization let’s bloom.

Happy Organizing!

-Mrs. O

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