Decluttering's environmental impact

Decluttering, downsizing, or managing a deceased estate forces many Australians to confront their possessions. About one in three Australians reportedly cannot stand the amount of stuff in their home, according to a survey commissioned by insurer Choosi.

Julie Whiting, founder of The Decluttering Co., notes that clutter typically involves items people have been avoiding. She says the process is difficult because it requires multiple decisions, logistical planning, and emotional effort.

Jennifer Macklin of Monash University's BehaviourWorks states the overall aim should be to rehome what you can, then recycle and appropriately dispose of the rest. She points out that giving things away can be emotionally fraught, as it involves realizing others may not want items the original owner valued.

The decluttering process

Whiting recommends starting with the most annoying area. She advises sorting items into piles: keep, donate, recycle, and discard. While donating to charity stores is an option, she suggests re-sale platforms and buy-nothing groups may better ensure an item goes to someone who wants it. She also recommends getting familiar with free council recycling options.

Professional organiser Susanne Thiebe says people should not feel ashamed to ask for help. She often starts with clothing, as a messy wardrobe can impact daily life. One study found about 84% of Australians owned garments they hadn't worn in the past year.

Thiebe notes clothing must be in good condition to be given away or sold, as textiles are challenging to recycle. Once sorted, she recommends choosing an organisational system that works for finding items, not just for tidiness.

Furniture and difficult items

Furniture presents a unique challenge, says designer Ashley Eriksmoen. People often feel a moral hesitation about discarding it. She states there is a huge amount of unwanted furniture in Australia, more than charity stores or reuse hubs can handle, driven by cheap furniture and limited repair channels.

"The most sustainable choice is the piece of furniture that already exists," Eriksmoen says. She encourages modification, simple repairs, or paint jobs, suggesting local repair cafes or tool libraries for help.

Books are hard to donate, but Thiebe says they can be recycled if the covers are removed. Many council depots accept paints, chemicals, batteries, e-waste, and other items. Some retailers offer take-back schemes for furniture, office supplies, and other goods.

"If in doubt, put it in the red bin," Thiebe advises. "It's better a wrong item in the red bin than contaminating your whole yellow bin."

Shifting consumption habits

Dr. Melissa Norberg of Macquarie University researches helping people consume less. She says acquiring things provides a fleeting good feeling, leading to more purchases. She suggests using the difficulty of discarding an item as a learning lesson to prevent future similar acquisitions.

A German study indicates decluttering can be a window for people to reflect on and realign their possessions and desires. Whiting notes the energy-consuming process can make people think twice about future purchases.

"Overconsumption, not decluttering, is the cause of waste," Thiebe says. "You create the landfill when you shop it, not when you let go of it. Don't buy so much stuff in the first place." She suggests alternative activities like going for a walk or starting crochet.