EcoMonday Mélange - Get Organized!

Now that the holidays are over and the decorations are all put away, I've found myself in a mood for organizing. Being a bit, well, I'll say it, ANAL, I dream of my pantry and my studio looking like an ad for the Container Store. I would definitely go all Martha and make lovely labels for everything, too. Of course, I would want to be organized in an eco-friendly manner, so buying a whole bunch of plastic storage bins is not ideal. Instead, this week's mélange features some typical, and not-so-typical, eco-friendly storage options.

1. Use what you already have, but in a new way. For example, a lot of our food comes in some sort of container, like a pickle jar, or a jar of spaghetti sauce. Instead of recycling these (you do recycle your glass, right?) consider reusing them for storage. You can even paint the lids to coordinate with your décor. Then fill the jars with whatever needs its own place, like those seashells you brought back from the beach, the cotton balls in the bathroom, or those vintage buttons from your grandmother (Thanks again, Grammy!). Old glass cookie jars or even fish bowls can be attractive storage containers, too. And even something crazy, like a vintage lampshade, makes a great storage bin, as seen in ArtsyRubbish's Etsy shop.

2. Check out Freecycle for shelves and cabinets. It's easy enough to give a bookshelf a new coat of paint, and this way you won't be responsible for cutting down any trees. Even ugly old metal filing cabinets can be given new life with a good coat of paint, as I discovered when I painted my metal filing cabinet with a coat of colonial blue. Try to see the potential in these items, and remember, they're FREE!

3. If you do need to buy something, try items that are made from eco-friendly products or are made with upcycled materials. You can find shelves, storage units, trays, and boxes made from reclaimed wood, like this Barnwood Keeping Box by Paradise Hill Designs. Consider using natural grass baskets, vintage fabric baskets/bins, or bowls made from organic cotton, like the bowls shown here made by EcoChicHandKnits. After all, your stuff will look so much better when it's stowed away in something attractive.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got some labeling to do.