Everyday Easy Eco-Friendly Swaps

Eco-Friendly Pantry Organization Fredericksburg, TX

Sustainable. Eco-Friendly. Non-Toxic. Green. Crunchy.

These are some of the buzzwords that are floating around in our cultural conscience these days. And for good reason—we all want to be healthy humans and to steward our planet well. To whichever label you ascribe or aspire, there are organizing tools in this category that are worth investing in because of their durability and their versatility. And—BONUS—your home will be so lovely accented with all these natural materials!


Organized Pantry Austin Glass Jars

Glass

-Transfer your bagged groceries into glass decanters. No fear of those little micro-plastics seeping in, and you’ll more easily see when it’s time to replenish!

-Decant your spices, too, into small glass jars with metal or wood lids. In addition to preserving your herbs from micro-plastics, glass is non-porous and better preserves freshness and potency.

-Store fridge foods—whether leftovers or pre-cooked ingredients—in glass storage containers. The lids may be silicone or plastic, but the glass can be heated or re-heated without fear.

-Are you a DIY-er? Mix your own cleaning solutions in glass spray bottles. (Don’t forget to label them though. You don’t want stain remover confused with glass cleaner!)

-Mason jars are some of the most versatile and useful items on the planet, and you don’t have to be a homesteader who makes homemade jam to have the credentials to use them. Add an apothecary lid or a twist-on soap pump lid to corral bathroom counters. Dump that bag of rubber bands or paper clips into a jar to keep your office supplies sorted.


Organized Cedar Pantry Austin

Wood

-Instead of flimsy plastic drawer organizers and dividers, opt for bamboo. They’re sturdier, and just as easy to clean.

-There are some lovely wooden bins on the market these days. Whether you want to stack some open-front bins in your pantry for granola bars, or to elevate an exposed shelf in your living room, wooden bins are functional as well as stylish.

-Upcycle some old milk crates to make a storage statement piece. Think shoe storage by the back door or toy and book storage in the playroom.


Natural Fibers

Cotton, Felt, Wool, Hemp, Woven Grasses

-Woven bins are timeless and classy. Store bulky items like blankets and pillows, toys, towels, or laundry in these lightweight beauties. If you want to use a woven material in your closet, opt for a fine weave—like cotton, linen, or felt—so your garments don’t snag.

-Invest in some hemp or rope produce bags to take with you to the grocery store. So long, thin plastic stuff that takes way too much time to get open!


Metal

Wire, Stainless Steel

-Wire bins have been used for ages to house pantry items like bread and produce. There are some other metal bins on the scene these days, too, that are great options for pantries and bathrooms, where sticky spills are a common hazard. Just use a cloth to wipe clean. There are even stainless-steel turntables for condiments or daily skincare!

-If you’re worried about broken glass, stainless-steel food storage and lunchboxes are a safe and sturdy alternative.


Other Materials

-If decadent and classy is your aesthetic, look for leather bins or leather paper and desk organizers.

-If you’d like a little less visibility than glass canisters, look for a stone or ceramic option.

-Use cork board for pinning anything to your wall, whether a calendar, command center, or a photo. Cover an entire wall in cork and make a statement of it!

-Don’t frown on recycled plastic. These Nordic bins have great ratings, and even have bamboo lids to help with stacking.

 


Repurpose What You Already Own!

At the end of the day, “sustainability” is a choice to use wisely what already exists. Whether it’s a bin made from a tree in the rainforest or a cereal box you make into a magazine holder, a sustainable organizing tool will have more than one purpose and lead more than one life.

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