little miss sorted aims to provide a decluttering service that is as environmentally sustainable as possible, supports our local community and provides a high level of service to our valued customers.
As part of our desire to continuously improve in these areas, we have recently reviewed our clutter disposal policy and are pleased to announce that going forward we will be a mobile collection point for items that you wish to donate to Mums Supporting Families in Need. What this means is we will happily deliver to the MSFIN warehouse on behalf of our clients, any items earmarked as suitable for donation. We are also willing to collect donations from our followers and supporters when we are next in your area. Simply email sophie@littlemisssorted.com to arrange a pick-up or check the Service page on our website for further details.
We hope this changes makes you feel better about letting go of quality items that no longer serve you, knowing they will live on in the hands of someone in need whilst giving you the space you crave.
Welcome to Day 7 of little miss sorted’s 7 Day Sustainable Declutter Challenge:
Garage Clutter
The garage is often home for everything but your car. Car parts, boxes that haven’t been unpacked from 2 house moves ago, all the things you’re “definitely” going to repair, craft supplies you will use one day but can’t fit in your house at the moment, baby gear “just in case”, tax papers from fifteen years ago that you’ll sort out one day and all the amazing art your children have brought home since they were 4. And sometimes there’s even some junk that’s actually been earmarked to go but hasn’t quite made it out the door yet… It all makes for a cluttered mess and when the time comes to turf it, a serious health and environmental hazard if not disposed properly.
The World Health Organisation say that stockpiles of waste tyres sent to countries like Vietnam has caused the spread of Dengue Fever and other mosquito borne diseases by providing a perfect breeding ground. But recycled, they are useful for making sporting & playground surfaces, brake pads, insulation and constructing roads and drains among other things.
Another big problem is batteries. Australia has one of the lowest battery recycling rates in the world. Each year, over 300 million household batteries are thrown away with ordinary waste, meaning a staggering 8,000 tonnes of batteries end up in landfill. Batteries leech toxic metals into the ground which contaminates our soil and finds its way into our water systems.
Top Tips to sustainably declutter the garage
Hazardous waste should never go into landfill. Check out this blog post for destinations for most types of rubbish including making use of your council hard rubbish collection service which is often your best friend when it comes to cleaning out a garage
Determine what is of no use to you, and what is of no use to anyone. Donate the former and ensure the latter is sent to its proper destination. The RecycleNearYou website is a great resource
Anything sentimental or of value should never be stored in the garage, where temperatures can vary wildly. If it’s important, it deserves a place in your house
Top Tips to organise the garage
Create zones for the different types of things you keep in your garage, such as tools, gardening equipment, car paraphernalia, sports gear, outdoor living and the like. Store like things together and ensure small items are contained
Keep the floor clear as much as possible by utilising vertical space. Shelving along a wall, hooks, brackets and even rafters are important to make the most of this space whilst still being able to park your car here
Create a dedicated area for items that are ready to be donated or disposed of. Don’t make it too big. That way, when it is full, you are reminded to empty it (regularly) in order to make more space
Environmentally friendly resources when decluttering the garage:
ITEM
DESTINATION
Chemicals, paint, batteries, fluros, etc
Detox your home collects items throughout the year at various locations. Use this link to find a date, time and location near you and to see what they accept
Tyrecycle is one company recycling used car tyres. Check the list of participating retailers on their website to ensure the place you get your tyres changed is committed to recycling them, or if they’re not on the list, ask them before you book in.
1800-got-junk? is a handy resource for your back pocket. They will remove your unwanted item (whatever it is and from wherever it is) and take it away. They divert as much as possible from landfill and you pay based on the amount of truck space you use. Considering it includes two men with lifting power this is often a very good solution when you just don’t know what to do with your unwanted stuff or can’t move something yourself
Today is the last day of National Organising Week and our week-long sustainable decluttering challenge. Congratulations on making it to the end and I hope you’ve learnt something new and got a little closer to finding your Organised Sweet Spot.
Getting organised is not a one-time event. It’s a life long journey that requires your ongoing commitment and prioritisation, much like you health and garden. At the end of the day, its a choice between the stuff or the space. There is no right or wrong choice, but it is important to acknowledge you can only have one or the other and to work out what the right balance is for you.
If you want to maintain momentum on your decluttering journey and would like one-on-one help with sorting your space, please call or email me for an obligation free chat. There is no pressure to take any action right now, but it is always empowering to know your options for when you are ready. I can do in-person consultations in Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula and West Gippsland. I also have a brilliant & trusted colleague based in the Gold Coast for our Northern Friends in Brisbane, Northern NSW or anywhere in between. So whenever you are ready for more time and space, we are ready & waiting.
Happy Sustainable Decluttering! The planet thanks you.
Today is Clean Up Australia Day. Tomorrow is the start of National Organising Week.
I think the Universe is trying to tell us something.
And when she talks, we should listen. So here’s what’s happening… Each day for the next 7 days I’ll be popping up at a different location somewhere in the South-Eastern suburbs of Melbourne to take your unwanted clutter* off your hands and sustainably dispose of it on your behalf at absolutely no cost to you. That’s right, totally FREE.
Don’t live in Melbourne or can’t get to me? Don’t worry. I’ll also be providing lots of resources for future reference of organisations locally, nationally and sometimes even globally that will accept your excess clutter and keep it out of landfill.
Not sure where to start? No problem, I’ve got it sorted. Each day I’ll be posting some helpful tips on how to declutter a different zone of your home so we can work through it methodically and without getting overwhelmed. It’s just for 1 week… I know you can do it!
So really, what have you got to lose, except some clutter? I’m making myself available all week to answer your organising questions, help you get sorted and encourage you to find your Organised Sweet Spot and live life there. So please join in the daily challenges and help others you know who might also benefit from some free Professional Organising advice by sharing this post and the upcoming daily blogs with them.
I’d love to hear about your progress, see your before and after photos and meet you (and your clutter) at the various locations listed below. (Click here to see who you’re looking for!) If you do join in, by the end of the week I promise you will have more space and a clean conscience to boot.
*Items I will be accepting are:
Expired medicines
Unopened toiletries including hotel-sizes
Clean towels and blankets
Household batteries
Plastic shopping bags
Unused nappies (opened packets & no packets are also acceptable)
Unwanted craft items
Kids’ books in good condition
Non-perishable pantry items (in date)
Magazines
Old reading glasses
Used stamps
Old mobile phones & their accessories
Ink cartridges
Bras
Women’s corporate clothing & accessories
Handbags
So have a think about the space invaders in your house and start gathering them in an “OUT” bag near the door. And yes, that includes all the stuff you’ve been meaning to sell for the last 3 years and haven’t.
Take a look at my schedule below and decide where you can meet me and stay tuned throughout this week to find out where your items will be going!
Please note – I can only accept normal household quantities & any sorting you can do to keep categories of items separate & contained would be much appreciated.
I will provide additional resources and information on my website on how you can dispose of items not listed above.
Where to find me – this week only:
Mon 5th March
(Outside) Seaford Kindergym
3/10 Rutherford Rd, Seaford
11:45-12:30pm
Tue 6th March
Pinewood Nursery (Carpark)
478 Blackburn Rd, Glen Waverley
3:15-3:45pm
Wed 7th March
Doncaster Officeworks (Carpark)
602-630 Doncaster Rd, Doncaster
1:30-2pm
Thu 8th March
Mums Supporting Families In Need (Warehouse)
2/7 Sir Laurence Drive, Seaford
12-1pm
Fri 9th March
The Garden – Frankston (Reception)
4 Ross Smith Ave W, Frankston
11-11:30am
Sat 10th March
IKEA Springvale (Near Entrance)
917 Princes Hwy, Springvale
CANCELLED
Sun 11th March
Sandbox Café – Sandhurst Golf Club
75 Sandhurst Blvd, Sandhurst
10-11am
Please note: Sometimes unexpected things happen. Keep an eye on my website & Facebook page in the unlikely event I need to make a last minute update to times and locations.
In the meantime, if you’re ready to get started N.O.W. why don’t you head on over to the Clean Up Australia Day website and find a site near you where you can pitch in to help clean up. Or if you can’t attend, perhaps you’d consider making a donation here. I was surprised to learn that Clean Up Australia does not receive government funding and relies on private and corporate donations to keep their campaigns running and to provide supplies like gloves, tools and rubbish bags for volunteers. All donations above $2 are tax deductible for Australian taxpayers.
Enjoy your Sunday and I’ll see you tomorrow for our first N.O.W. organising challenge!
