Blog by Jo
Merton Green Parents Member
I recently attended an insightful presentation organised by Sustainable Merton, where Nicole de Caires from DeClutter’d shared some useful tips. Here are my key takeaways from the event...
Decluttering can feel overwhelming, but it's important to organise and reclaim space in our busy lives. Tackling clutter is best approached in manageable steps, such as focusing on specific areas like the shoe cupboard, bookshelf, or bathroom. Celebrate quick wins and reward yourself as you make progress!
When dealing with larger spaces, such as the loft, it's essential to accept the initial chaos that comes with sorting through items to achieve a more organised and harmonious environment.
For items with emotional attachments, it's okay to let go. Explain to children that passing on an item means someone else can enjoy it while it is still in working order and before it becomes outdated or degrades. Keep meaningful items in moderation, and consider creating a photo book for sentimental pieces like children's artwork.
When managing clothing, use vacuum pack bags for economical storage, available at stores like IKEA and online. Instead of allowing clothes to accumulate in a general dumping ground, use baskets or boxes to designate space for each family member's belongings.
When deciding where to donate unwanted items, be mindful that charities can be used as dumping grounds, so be selective and targeted. Here are some suggestions:
Sustainable Merton's waste reduction and circular economy project, The Wheel, recommends various charities who will take your unwanted furniture and textiles etc. Visit thewheelmerton.org to find out more.
Little Village takes donations of items for families living in poverty
The NIAS charity shop in Wimbledon sells books, bric a brac and high quality furniture.
British Heart Foundation will collect larger items.
Vinted is a popular website for buying and selling second-hand clothes, shoes, accessories and much more!
Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and other animal shelters accept old towels.
Companion Care Vets New Malden take baby socks which are used to keep small animals warm post-operation.
Dunelm’s textile take back scheme rehomes and reuses (or recycles) all home textiles, as long as they’re clean and bagged. It’s fine if they’re ripped or torn.
Garth Road Recycling Centre have a drop off point for unwanted tech and electrical items.
CeX Wimbledon buys and sells old tech, phones, games, electronics including a variety of cables.
Hubbub’s Community Calling project rehomes old phones to get more people digitally connected and tackle e-waste.
Dons Local Action Group rehomes furniture and tech.
The Wheel’s Preloved Studio at Canons House, Mitcham, is the home of community workshops and weekly drop-in sessions for Merton residents to learn skills to reduce textiles waste and avoid fast fashion.
If you have a collection that you think has social historical value (such as old diaries kept during the war) try Mass Observation Archive which is a professional social historical research project.
Clean old soft toys and donate them to the police for children in care, or to charity shops.
GET Free Books in Southside Shopping Centre, Wandsworth, accepts books, DVDs, and CDs which are distributed to the community to help make reading free and available to all.
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