everyday zero-waste :: bedroom

Moving through our house + reassessing each room in terms of zero-waste has brought me to the bedroom. I admit that this may be my way of distracting myself from calling spring cleaning what it is. Since cleaning is not something I love, I often try to cloak it in another activity like rearranging furniture. Most often it is a combination of the three: cleaning, zero-wasting/minimizing + moving furniture.  :) I thrive on a change of perspective. As with the living room, I'm using Bea's five steps toward zero-waste to deeply consider how I want to use this room + what we actually need (+ don't need) to make that happen.

Our bedroom functions most predominately for sleep, so I would like this room to be as restful + clutter-free as possible. When we started from scratch (all 3 times), I considered a bed to be the only true necessity for the bedroom (+ I would still love for that to be all that is found here). Yet, I like to hang out in here sometimes during the day. This room is south facing + receives quite a lot of sunlight. So recently, I've added a comfy, but very clean-lined chair. After a lot of years sitting on my bed + the floor (which are also nice), my back appreciates it. The whole room received a rearrange, so that I could place the chair by the window.  :) My sewing is done here on my desk. In order to keep things calm + uncluttered, I keep the sewing machine in the closet. Less clothes means there is room for it.  :)

Refuse :: Refuse what we don't need.
-television- We can watch a movie on a laptop, if we want to.
-dresser- Mr. Tribe + I can fit our everyday wardrobes into our (non-walk-in) closet. We don't need a dresser. The top of a dresser can be fun to style, but ultimately just attracts clutter.
-desk- Here is where we need to really know ourselves. Do my girls like to do homework at a desk, or would they really rather spread out on the floor...or on the bed? Desks are helpful, when they are helpful! We don't need to get rid of something just to have less. I have a desk in my room now, because it gives me a space to set up my sewing machine + still be able to eat dinner at the dining table. Julia has a desk that lets her keep her keyboard at the ready + to draw or do homework. Jo never used her desk, so let it go. We just consciously reconsider each item...and then reconsider it again + again.  :)
-workout equipment- We know if we use it.  ;) I'd rather take a walk or do some yoga.
-bedside tables- I thought these were necessary once upon a time, because every bedroom tour featured them. At some point, I realized that I never touched the stuff inside mine...Mr. Tribe just piled receipts + pocket lint on his...and I got to dust them.  :) Now our bed is low enough that we can reach our alarms on the floor.
-Any other furniture that seemed like a good idea, but never gets used. If it has piles of clothes or clutter on it, it's probably not necessary. I make the tiny effort to put clothes onto a hanger/shelf or in the laundry basket right away.
-freebies- It is not obligatory to accept others' cast-offs...even when we are just starting out. It's ok to say, "Oh thank you for thinking of me, but I don't think I really need it." No further explanation necessary. This applies to free t-shirts too.  :)

Reduce :: Reduce what we do need.
-clothing- This is big! Check out the Fairdare.  :)
-pillows- Ideally we'd each have one. I just need to find the right ones. (Recommendations welcome!)
-bedding- One set of sheets is enough for us. It goes right from the dryer back onto our bed. Sheets + towels are the only things we put in the dryer that was given to us. 
-decorations- My goal is to have a restful space. I stop "seeing" things after a while anyway.
-curtains- This (like everything here) involves personal preference, but I prefer light curtains + find it easier to wake up with some light streaming through.

Reuse :: Keep it in use + out of the landfill. No new resources necessary.
-clothes- Wear, care for, tailor, repair + mend what is already in the closet. Sell or donate the excess. Buy second-hand.
-extra bedding- Cut it up + make bulk bags for the grocery store or replacement pillow cases or a slipcover for a thrifted chair or pajama pants. Donate it to a shelter.
-old t-shirts- Cut them up for cleaning rags (no sewing necessary).
-furniture- Craigslist is a great place to find desks, dressers, headboards or chairs, if deemed necessary. It also works for letting things go...as does the stoop or driveway.
-baskets- Laundry baskets may be found at a thrift shop, yard sale, or on Craigslist.

​Recycle ::
-unusable bedding + clothing- Bring them to Goodwill + they will get them to places that reuse the fibers in carpet padding, insulation, + rags.
-unwearable athletic shoes- Get them to Nike's Reuse-A-Shoe program + they will be made into sports surfaces.
-cardboard shoeboxes
-dry cleaner hangers- return to the dry cleaner for re-use

Rot ::
-pillow feathers
-natural fiber sweater pills or lint (including dryer lint)
-hair
​-fallen plant leaves

Enjoy the uncluttered, restful space...or take a nap.  :)

Love,
​Jane