We’re all aware of environmental issues, and looking for ways to live more sustainably. Energy consumption and cutting waste is often top of the list of impacts to tackle, but storage choices play a part too.
If you’re reorganising, replacing or refreshing the way you store your possessions, here are some ideas to consider either for now or in the future when the time comes.
Declutter with Sustainability in Mind
Before investing in new storage solutions for the home, take a moment to assess what you actually need to store. It’s easy to hold onto items that take up space, needing more shelves, cupboards or bins and baskets. A greener approach to decluttering could be:
Donating instead of discarding – Instead of sending items to landfill, donate items you definitely don’t want to charity shops or community groups. Other green-minded people are looking for pre-loved items instead of always buying new.
Recycling properly – Research how to recycle materials such as electronics, textiles, and plastics in your local area.
Repurposing what you already own – Before buying new storage, look around your home for boxes, baskets, and containers that could be repurposed.
Storing items for future use – bulky furnishings only occasionally used, seasonal items and clothes that take up space, baby items you could use again as the family grows. Handy nearby local self storage is a great aid to sustainable living.
Choose Storage Made from Sustainable Materials
When you do need to buy new storage containers, consider the materials they are made from. Many conventional storage boxes are made from plastic, which can take hundreds of years to break down. More sustainable options include:
Bamboo – A fast-growing, renewable resource that makes beautiful shelving, baskets, and storage boxes.
Recycled wood – Instead of buying mass-produced furniture, look for shelves and cabinets made from reclaimed or FSC-certified wood.
Woven natural fibres – Baskets made from seagrass, jute, or rattan provide a stylish and eco-friendly alternative to plastic bins.
Glass and metal – These materials are highly durable, recyclable, and ideal for kitchen storage containers or shelving units. You can also reuse glass jars and bottles for home produced drinks or preserves.
Upcycle and Repurpose for Unique Storage Solutions
Upcycling is one of the most sustainable ways to create storage solutions without buying new products, and it can be fun and creative too. Instead of throwing items away, think about how they can be repurposed:
Old wooden crates – These can be stacked to create rustic bookshelves or used as under-bed storage.
Glass jars – Perfect for storing dry goods in the kitchen, craft supplies, or bathroom essentials.
Vintage suitcases – Stack them to create unique bedside tables with hidden storage inside.
Pallet wood – Can be transformed into DIY wall-mounted shelves, shoe racks, or storage benches, not to mention garden uses such as raised beds or compost bins.
Invest in Multi-Functional and Long-Lasting Storage
Think ‘quality over quantity’ when you’re furniture shopping. Instead of buying cheap, short-lived storage items, invest in durable, multi-functional pieces that will serve you for years.
Items to look for include:
Storage furniture with hidden compartments – Ottomans, beds with drawers, or coffee tables with built-in storage help you make the most of your space and cut down on visual clutter.
Stackable and modular storage – Look for units that can be reconfigured to suit different spaces, so they remain useful even if you move house or decide to use them in a child’s room instead of the living room.
High-quality shelving and cabinets – Solid wood and metal options last longer than flimsy plastic or MDF alternatives.
Choose Zero-Waste Alternatives to Plastic
Plastic storage bins are cheap and in plentiful supply but, when they crack or warp, they often end up in landfill. Instead, consider containers that will break down or compost when you’re done with them:
Fabric storage bins – Made from natural cotton, linen, or recycled fabric, these are an attractive and more sustainable choice.
Cardboard storage boxes – Perfect for short-term storage and easily recyclable when no longer needed.
Wooden or bamboo storage chests – A beautiful, long-lasting alternative to plastic bins.
If you already own plastic storage, don’t discard it unnecessarily—carry on using it for as long as possible then replace it with better options when you need to.
7. Sustainable Storage for Specific Areas
Different rooms in the home require different storage solutions. Here are some sustainable ideas for the areas that most need lots of storage, but again, you don’t need to immediately toss all the plastic. Just bear in mind the alternatives for when you need to renew or replace existing storage.
Kitchen
Swap plastic food containers for glass jars or stainless steel tins.
Use wooden spice racks and bamboo drawer dividers.
Wardrobe & Bedroom
Store seasonal clothes in cotton or linen bags instead of plastic.
Use wooden hangers instead of plastic ones.
Bathroom
Choose ceramic or glass storage for toiletries.
Upcycle large jars for cotton pads and reusable makeup wipes.
None of us can change the world by ourselves, but if everyone gradually moves away from mass-produced, polluting materials, we’ll start reshaping how things are made by altering demand. It’s often the little things that add up into something big over time.
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