Repair, reuse, reflect: Here's how to declutter without trashing

Decluttering gurus often preach minimalism, but simply discarding your stuff will only add to the global garbage pile, so why not consider repairing or selling items you no longer need. — dpa

BE IT books, vases or old gadgets, sometimes it’s hard for people to let go. Decluttering gurus often preach minimalism, but simply discarding items means they will end up rotting away in the nearest landfill.

When getting rid of unwanted items, many people don’t properly recycle them, Germany’s Federal Environment Agency (UBA) says.

Plus, when you throw stuff out to create room for something new, that can lead to even more consumption, creating a vicious cycle.

In terms of sustainability, it’s important to keep items as long as possible, to repair and continue using them, according to Viola Muster, a researcher in the field of sustainable consumption at Berlin’s University of Technology. “Often, in the present moment you don’t realise that the item you already have might be of use later on,” she says.

A time for reflection

Decluttering your home provides an opportunity “to question your own consumer behaviour,” Muster says. “This is a very time- and energy-consuming process,” she warns, but it can help you to change your ways.

Decluttering may lead you to value your possessions more, according to the UBA. You might start to consider repairing an item or using it more intensively. In turn, that might change your relationship to material possessions.

If you have enough storage, consider keeping replacement parts to repair items later on.

In a current research project, Muster found signs that those who consciously reflect on their own consumer habits while tidying up are less likely to acquire new things afterwards.

The Undecided Box approach to clearing out

But what if you’re struggling to declutter in the first place? No need to worry, according to Muster. If you enjoy the things around you, there’s no need to discard them, she says.

But if your possessions are suffocating you, then try out the Undecided Box approach. Pick out the items you think you might be able to part with and place them in a box. Shut and set it aside.

When you reopen the box after one or two months, you might notice that you completely forgot about some of the items inside. Ideally, it should now be easier to let go of those, says Muster.

Passing your possessions on to a friend or donating them instead of simply throwing them out isn’t only more sustainable, it might also make it easier to let go.However, in the end, sustainable consumption depends on more than just our individual habits, Muster stresses. Products also need to become more durable and easier to repair, she says. – dpa