Decluttering

Made my annual trip to Dunelm Mill yesterday during which I buy lots of things that I think will make me more organised, spend a lot of money then get home and find that I’d bought some of it on last years visit ( eg fizzy things that will make my toilet sparkling clean) and then add everything to the clutter. Had a narrow escape in the garden. Hadn’t realised I’d left a large plastic container under a bench covered by a tarpaulin. It was filled with rainwater ( tarpaulin obviously hadn’t done it’s job) but, thankfully there were no dead rats in it ( mind you that’s probably because it was full right to the top). No idea why I’d left it there. I always put a stick in any buckets or watering cans in the garden so that, if I go away and it rains any mice can climb out.

We’ve got a new recycling system starting in June. I’ve just read all the details ( it seems very complicated). The main difference is that food waste is going to be collected each week. One of my big problems is my obsession with trying to recycle everything if possible so things tend to hang around the house with me not knowing what to do with them. This is going to be a game changer. Once I’ve worked out where to put what and when .

Ah, tjat has just come into force, here.
I can't see it going too well, as people are too lazy to put rubbish in the usual bins, let alone separate things into their rightful bin.

They've put the new bins almost right outside my kitchen window, too.

I was at my daughters and was horrified to see her have a fridge/freezer clear out and just throw everything into the non recycling bin. My son and his wife are far more into recycling than she is. Although someone told her that everything just went to the same place anyway so it isn’t worth bothering.One of the problems I have at my partners is that food waste just goes into the black bin ( cardboard, glass etc is recycled) and I hate knowing it’s going into landfill.

I don't even know where food waste ends up.

MissAdventure

I don't even know where food waste ends up.

It goes to anaerobic digester (AD) plants, where it’s somehow turned into making electricity or fertiliser type ‘stuff’.

Our food waste collections start later this year.

And none of our black bin waste goes to landfill now, it’s all sent somewhere to be burned and used for electricity production.

Apparently.

Thank you

Now summer’s here, I’ve sorted a few summery items of clothing to take to the charity shop next week.

Plus I’ve been in the loft (very warm), and brought down some things that didn’t sell at our last car boot.

Books, a couple of games, and some handbags.

I shall divide them between about three shops, so none feel left out!

And a bag of clean rags will go also. (Not that I tried to sell these, my ‘rag bag’ accumulates over time).

I just "found a box of dark grey fabric dye. (Powder)
It split open, and went all over the floor,y slippers, my white t shirt amd the paintwork.
I've made an attempt to clear it up, but had to come and rest half way through.

Calendargirl

MissAdventure

I don't even know where food waste ends up.

It goes to anaerobic digester (AD) plants, where it’s somehow turned into making electricity or fertiliser type ‘stuff’.

Our food waste collections start later this year.

And none of our black bin waste goes to landfill now, it’s all sent somewhere to be burned and used for electricity production.

Apparently.

I’ve always got piles of things like bread wrappers waiting to be taken to a supermarket ( I do re use them as well eg double wrapping freezer items) but I can now put them in the recycling. It looks so complicated though that I can’t see anyone not committed to recycling adhering to it. But at least the council have given us a concise list so we finally know exactly what we can recycle. I still don’t know what to do with old vegetable oil ( I’ve got lots of it).

MissAdventure

I just "found a box of dark grey fabric dye. (Powder)
It split open, and went all over the floor,y slippers, my white t shirt amd the paintwork.
I've made an attempt to clear it up, but had to come and rest half way through.

Oh no. At least, with it being a white t shirt you can hopefully bleach it white again? As long as it’s dry it should vacuum off your slippers. Could you put them in a bag with something like salt in and shake them about to remove it? And maybe scatter some salt on the floor to make it less powdery?

Do you want to dispose of it, or find a use for it?

Well, i think the dye had split as it was in a box that had gof wet.
So its pretty big lumps of damp dye.
Still, better out than in.
I only wear white about twice a year, and it would happen when its a white day.
In the spirit of decluttering, I'll throw the t shirt out if its a casualty.

I have been decluttering for a while. Books have been going to Cancer centre where son is having chemo. Clothes to charity shop but better ones selling on Vinted. Stuff from the garage/workshop I have been offering free on local FB page. Last night I advertised a Flymo lawn mower in working condition and it was snapped up in less than 20 minutes.

MayBee

Old vegetable oil can be taken to our local ‘tip’ / recycling centre, but this is no use if you can’t drive there.

Loving this thread, I need the inspiration!
MayBee I use this to get rid of fat/oil. Turns it solid and goes out with the rubbish.

PiscesLady

Loving this thread, I need the inspiration!
MayBee I use this to get rid of fat/oil. Turns it solid and goes out with the rubbish.

Thanks. I didn’t know about this. I’ll get some.

HelterSkelter1

Thank you SORES. I bought 10 boxes on Amazon this week. For about 80p each. They are Royal Mail ones and have encouraged me to pack up loads of stuff which I have stacked up in a corner of the hall by the front door ready to go.
I need some more. They are brilliant. Not too big so not too heavy when full.

I made 3 trips to the British Heart Foundation shop with sets of china which they will sensibly price as they are quite collectable.
Am pleased with what I have achieved. Sorted some vinyl and one handbag is ready to go.
Lots more to do, but I have made a start.

o good, ok, you’re welcome

I’m at it today, emptied 3! boxes of STUFF I had completely forgotten I had, musing, why do I keep all this STUFF.

I released two tan leather bags, unused, were a terrible price eighteen! years ago. They were classic (old fashioned) one a designer. I hope someone will love it/them and ponder,
‘how could anyone send anything this good quality to a
Charity Shop?? and so stylish??’
I took them to a posh charity shop in another town in the hope that I wouldn’t ever see them again and feel a pang.

MayBee70

Made my annual trip to Dunelm Mill yesterday during which I buy lots of things that I think will make me more organised, spend a lot of money then get home and find that I’d bought some of it on last years visit ( eg fizzy things that will make my toilet sparkling clean) and then add everything to the clutter. Had a narrow escape in the garden. Hadn’t realised I’d left a large plastic container under a bench covered by a tarpaulin. It was filled with rainwater ( tarpaulin obviously hadn’t done it’s job) but, thankfully there were no dead rats in it ( mind you that’s probably because it was full right to the top). No idea why I’d left it there. I always put a stick in any buckets or watering cans in the garden so that, if I go away and it rains any mice can climb out.

Had you left your watering can on its side while you went away, a cute little mouse family could have made a cute little mouse house in there, cute little squeaking baby mice, lovely!

MissAdventure

I don't even know where food waste ends up.

our food and possibly garden waste? goes to a recycling plant near Wallingford but the trail ends there -

Toooo hot here today to do anything other than listen to the radio.
Good to send precious things to distant charity shops. Luckily a lot of my things and a lot of really nice things have come from charity shops over the years so I dont feel too bad about decluttering them. The shop has benefited twice. And if distant I won't have to see or think about them ever again...and vow to never ever buy non essential things again.

I very nearly bought a Seasalt shirt in their sale which would have been a mistake as zi have Seasalt shirts already in my wardrobe not often worn. . Hooray I stopped myself.

I now am using the china I love, there is plenty of room in the kitchen cupboard and I also found a few nice thungs which I am using now as well. And if they don't get used regularly they will go in a packing box ready.
I bought a tin of black olives today...but have 3 already in the "pantry". Oh dear. Checked the dates and 2 are already best before today. Hopeless.

I've hit a stumbling block with the decluttering at fhe moment.
(My mastectomy wound is obviously infected yet again)
I can still do little bits and bobs, though.

So I shall when I've got some energy.

Oh dear, that's awful for you Miss A, so sorry. Take it gently, the clutter can wait! I'm finding it too hot to do much and am just faffing about with stupid little bits and pieces, kidding myself I'm doing something useful but not making much impression at all. Yesterday just one small bedside lamp went into the charity box... every little helps as they say but I'll be 150 years old before I've finished at this rate.

I actually caught myself holding three boxes of stuff, trying to bend over and pick up a nail to put in one of the boxes

I had to be really stern with myself to leave it on the floor, put the boxes away, then throw the nail in the bin. .

You must stop decluttering till your infection has gone. Time to chill out on the sofa and watch box sets. That’s an order! ( I’ll do double to make up for it to stop you feeling guilty…)