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How Do I... Organise My Recycling?
A decluttering expert reveals how to keep your recyclables neatly organised and under control
In this practical series, we ask experts to answer your burning design and home-related questions. Here, Beverley Scheepers, founder of Home And Life Organising (HALO) and advisory board member of the Institute of Professional Organisers International (IOPO), shares some simple ways to store and organise your recyclables.
Recyclables such as paper, cardboard, plastic, glass and tin can quickly turn to clutter if you don’t have a system to keep them organised. Here’s how to prevent recyclables from piling up and making your home look untidy.
Keep recyclables close together
One of my key organising principles is to keep like items together, and the same applies to recyclables. Your recycling will be much easier to organise if everything is stored together – no more having to go to two different locations to dispose of your pizza box and wine bottle!
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One of my key organising principles is to keep like items together, and the same applies to recyclables. Your recycling will be much easier to organise if everything is stored together – no more having to go to two different locations to dispose of your pizza box and wine bottle!
Browse more kitchen photos
Store bins in practical spots
The best spot to set up a recycling station is the kitchen, but the laundry is the next best option. Where you choose will depend on how much space you have available and your home’s configuration.
Locating recycling bins near your prep area is the most convenient option. I wouldn’t recommend placing bins in a cupboard for a couple of reasons – first, you want to make the process as effortless as possible, and having to open the cupboard to access the bin requires extra effort. This is made all the more difficult when you are in the middle of food prep and need to access the bin with food-covered hands. Second, having bins inside dark cupboards can attract cockroaches.
The best spot to set up a recycling station is the kitchen, but the laundry is the next best option. Where you choose will depend on how much space you have available and your home’s configuration.
Locating recycling bins near your prep area is the most convenient option. I wouldn’t recommend placing bins in a cupboard for a couple of reasons – first, you want to make the process as effortless as possible, and having to open the cupboard to access the bin requires extra effort. This is made all the more difficult when you are in the middle of food prep and need to access the bin with food-covered hands. Second, having bins inside dark cupboards can attract cockroaches.
Look for freestanding bins
Having a series of large, freestanding bins is my preferred set-up: open bins for recycling and closed bins with a foot peddle or sensor lid for food scraps and compost. This way you won’t have to touch a dirty bin when you’re prepping food.
Kitchen Bin Wars: Standalone or Built-In?
Having a series of large, freestanding bins is my preferred set-up: open bins for recycling and closed bins with a foot peddle or sensor lid for food scraps and compost. This way you won’t have to touch a dirty bin when you’re prepping food.
Kitchen Bin Wars: Standalone or Built-In?
Pop in a bin liner
Using a bin liner for general rubbish makes it much easier to keep the bin clean, and provides a more convenient way to transfer the rubbish to large, outdoor bins. It is not necessary to use liners for recycling bins as the contents are not as messy, and you would most likely not be able to place the liner with the rest of the contents in the council recycling bin.
Using a bin liner for general rubbish makes it much easier to keep the bin clean, and provides a more convenient way to transfer the rubbish to large, outdoor bins. It is not necessary to use liners for recycling bins as the contents are not as messy, and you would most likely not be able to place the liner with the rest of the contents in the council recycling bin.
Go as big as you can
When choosing bins, I’d suggest going as big as you can for the space you have available. Once you’ve chosen the location for your rubbish and recycling station, measure up for the maximum-sized bins you can accommodate.
The number of bins you’ll need will depend on your local council’s rules. Some councils require you to separate paper and cardboard from plastic, while others allow you to combine all your recycling in one bin.
When choosing bins, I’d suggest going as big as you can for the space you have available. Once you’ve chosen the location for your rubbish and recycling station, measure up for the maximum-sized bins you can accommodate.
The number of bins you’ll need will depend on your local council’s rules. Some councils require you to separate paper and cardboard from plastic, while others allow you to combine all your recycling in one bin.
Choose matching bins
Having a number of the same-style bins next to each other creates a consistent and organised look. Even if the bins are different colours or have different-coloured lids, if they are the same size, shape and style they will present as an intentional and coherent solution, rather than a disorganised collection of containers.
A few plain white shoeboxes or empty tissue boxes are great for collecting batteries, lightbulbs, printer cartridges and other small items.
Which container you choose is a matter of personal preference, but as long as you use a series of the same type, you can create a visually pleasing solution.
Having a number of the same-style bins next to each other creates a consistent and organised look. Even if the bins are different colours or have different-coloured lids, if they are the same size, shape and style they will present as an intentional and coherent solution, rather than a disorganised collection of containers.
A few plain white shoeboxes or empty tissue boxes are great for collecting batteries, lightbulbs, printer cartridges and other small items.
Which container you choose is a matter of personal preference, but as long as you use a series of the same type, you can create a visually pleasing solution.
Keep potentially hazardous items separate
Store items such as batteries and lightbulbs that cannot go in your kerbside recycling bins in a separate container, ready to be taken to the relevant recycling station when you have the time. The key is to keep smaller items together so you don’t end up with collections of random bits and pieces all over the house.
Store items such as batteries and lightbulbs that cannot go in your kerbside recycling bins in a separate container, ready to be taken to the relevant recycling station when you have the time. The key is to keep smaller items together so you don’t end up with collections of random bits and pieces all over the house.
Tell us
What system do you use to keep your recycling under control? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like, share or bookmark this story. Join the conversation.
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What system do you use to keep your recycling under control? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like, share or bookmark this story. Join the conversation.
More
Read more ‘How Do I…’ stories