Every so often I reassess my ways, my systems, my home in order to realign it all with my values of simplicity, surrender, + compassion. It would seem that there is not a whole lot of waste that comes from the living room...so, it feels like a great place to start. :) I'm using Bea's list of actions that offer a progression toward zero-waste this time around. All of the things I write are my personal feelings + not meant to be prescriptive. Each of us gets to decide our own path. My living room is pretty simple at this point, but each item must continue to earn its spot. :)
Refuse :: Refuse anything that we do not need.
-TV + DVD collection- Mr. Tribe still tells me that this was one of the hardest things for him to consider letting go...but that now he is totally fine with it. Rather than just having the TV on + watching what comes on or flipping through stations, we choose a show (online) or movie (from Redbox or the library) to watch. More often I listen to music, NPR, or a podcast. Mr. Tribe finds sporting events he wants to watch online.
-stereo + CD collection- All of our music is stored on itunes, but most often we just listen to it on Spotify (the free version). We now have one of these (Christmas gift).
-game system + games- Only one of us likes these, but we don't own them.
-storage for all of the above- now unnecessary (yay!)
-side tables- We can set drinks on the floor. Surfaces often just gather clutter. A couple of Craigslist stools can serve as a coffee table with the addition of a cutting board from the kitchen, but mostly work as movable footstools. We knock over fewer drinks this way, than when we used to bump the coffee table.
-magazine subscriptions- The internet is usually preferable anyway (in our opinions).
-catalogs- Websites make them unnecessary.
-newspapers- We listen to NPR, + I never liked the newsprint transfer.
Reduce :: Reduce the things we do need.
-books- We each have a few favorites on our built-in shelf, but I love that the library stores most of our books for us! Goodreads keeps a record of favorites + read books, if desired.
-wall art- I tend to stop "seeing" it after a while anyway + prefer an art gallery feel (lots of open, white wall space).
-window coverings- We do without where possible, but our living room faces the street. We removed heavy curtains + blinds, when we moved in. Very lightweight (machine washable) gauzy curtains do the job.
-knick-knacks- A few purposely chosen pieces lend themselves to the style I like.
Reuse :: Keep it in use + out of the landfill. No new resources necessary.
-furniture- Until recently, all of our furniture (couch, 2 chairs, rug, coffee table) was from Craigslist. Patience is key.
-books- Most of our books were bought second hand at library sales, resale shops, or used on Amazon.
Recycle :: Recycle things we do not need. Keep the resources in use + out of the landfill.
-books, CDs, DVDs, games- These can be listed on Amazon (I generally only do this if they are worth more than $7, because of fees + shipping) or sold at places like Half Price Books (keep in mind that the goal is to get them into the hands of someone who will use them...not necessarily to get a lot of money back). Perhaps list them together on Craigslist or have a yard sale. They could also be donated to a shelter, Children's Hospital, school, detention center, library, or charity shop.
-electronics- List them on Craigslist or ebay. Making some money would be nice, but remember that the goal is to get the item into the hands of someone who will use it. If they can not be sold or donated, get them to the proper disposal spot. Goodwill accepts working electronics. Non-functioning electronics need to be disposed of properly (google "recycle electronics").
-furniture- List it on craigslist, have a yard sale, or offer it to a rehoming agency for refugees or previously homeless. Offering it on a FreeCycle type website or simple putting a big "Free" sign onto it on the curb often works as well. (I've both offered + picked up multiple things curbside...and have gratitude in both directions!) :)
-magazines- Drop them off at a nursing home or leave them in the waiting room the next time you have a doctor's appointment. The library often has a spot where people can take them + I sometimes add mine to the stack.
-catalogs- Call the companies to have your name removed from the mailing list + then recycle. The exceptionally pretty ones can be used like notebooks...just write in the empty spaces.
Rot :: Compost.
-newspapers- Use them to kill the grass/weeds for an expanded garden...or add to the compost.
Enjoy the ease of cleaning, lack of clutter, and restful surroundings!
Love,
Jane
Refuse :: Refuse anything that we do not need.
-TV + DVD collection- Mr. Tribe still tells me that this was one of the hardest things for him to consider letting go...but that now he is totally fine with it. Rather than just having the TV on + watching what comes on or flipping through stations, we choose a show (online) or movie (from Redbox or the library) to watch. More often I listen to music, NPR, or a podcast. Mr. Tribe finds sporting events he wants to watch online.
-stereo + CD collection- All of our music is stored on itunes, but most often we just listen to it on Spotify (the free version). We now have one of these (Christmas gift).
-game system + games- Only one of us likes these, but we don't own them.
-storage for all of the above- now unnecessary (yay!)
-side tables- We can set drinks on the floor. Surfaces often just gather clutter. A couple of Craigslist stools can serve as a coffee table with the addition of a cutting board from the kitchen, but mostly work as movable footstools. We knock over fewer drinks this way, than when we used to bump the coffee table.
-magazine subscriptions- The internet is usually preferable anyway (in our opinions).
-catalogs- Websites make them unnecessary.
-newspapers- We listen to NPR, + I never liked the newsprint transfer.
Reduce :: Reduce the things we do need.
-books- We each have a few favorites on our built-in shelf, but I love that the library stores most of our books for us! Goodreads keeps a record of favorites + read books, if desired.
-wall art- I tend to stop "seeing" it after a while anyway + prefer an art gallery feel (lots of open, white wall space).
-window coverings- We do without where possible, but our living room faces the street. We removed heavy curtains + blinds, when we moved in. Very lightweight (machine washable) gauzy curtains do the job.
-knick-knacks- A few purposely chosen pieces lend themselves to the style I like.
Reuse :: Keep it in use + out of the landfill. No new resources necessary.
-furniture- Until recently, all of our furniture (couch, 2 chairs, rug, coffee table) was from Craigslist. Patience is key.
-books- Most of our books were bought second hand at library sales, resale shops, or used on Amazon.
Recycle :: Recycle things we do not need. Keep the resources in use + out of the landfill.
-books, CDs, DVDs, games- These can be listed on Amazon (I generally only do this if they are worth more than $7, because of fees + shipping) or sold at places like Half Price Books (keep in mind that the goal is to get them into the hands of someone who will use them...not necessarily to get a lot of money back). Perhaps list them together on Craigslist or have a yard sale. They could also be donated to a shelter, Children's Hospital, school, detention center, library, or charity shop.
-electronics- List them on Craigslist or ebay. Making some money would be nice, but remember that the goal is to get the item into the hands of someone who will use it. If they can not be sold or donated, get them to the proper disposal spot. Goodwill accepts working electronics. Non-functioning electronics need to be disposed of properly (google "recycle electronics").
-furniture- List it on craigslist, have a yard sale, or offer it to a rehoming agency for refugees or previously homeless. Offering it on a FreeCycle type website or simple putting a big "Free" sign onto it on the curb often works as well. (I've both offered + picked up multiple things curbside...and have gratitude in both directions!) :)
-magazines- Drop them off at a nursing home or leave them in the waiting room the next time you have a doctor's appointment. The library often has a spot where people can take them + I sometimes add mine to the stack.
-catalogs- Call the companies to have your name removed from the mailing list + then recycle. The exceptionally pretty ones can be used like notebooks...just write in the empty spaces.
Rot :: Compost.
-newspapers- Use them to kill the grass/weeds for an expanded garden...or add to the compost.
Enjoy the ease of cleaning, lack of clutter, and restful surroundings!
Love,
Jane
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