30 bags in 30 days decluttering method

Our Tesco also takes bedding and textiles.

I’ve got a carload of mixed recycling to take to the dump this week. I’ve also found somewhere that takes unwanted tools so they can go, too. That might be tomorrow’s job, actually.

Norah

Doodledog

I had over-ripe bananas that were destined for a banoffee pie, but I've just realised that my husband has eaten the digestives 😡

Do you peel and freeze - thaw to use in baking?

No, he's too big to fit in the baskets.

Thanks Lyndylou

Hi Callistemon21 Roll it up tight and put it in a bin bag. My local Dunelm has an area near the tills where they can be left.

I understand they pass them on to another company who reuses as much as they can.

I have found that Dunelm will take in old quilts, pillows, curtains and sheets, which is great

Oh good, thank you for that information.
I have a nearly new summer/winter feather and down duvet, probably not suitable for the dog refuge.

Now, I did have a list of shopping to do in Dunelm .......
Or is that not in the spirit of this thread?

I have been working through January making myself throw one thing away a day. I've done quite well, especially sorting out old medicines and toiletries. This month I am on a mission to sort the spare room. There is a sofa bed in there that makes a double bed but it takes up all the width of the room when it is out and has a heavy frame. I don't have any couples to stay now, only single people so I'm going to get rid and put in a smaller lightweight one that I can actually move. Problem is I found 3 quilts and 6 pillows that are surplus to requirements under the sofa bed and in the wardrobe.

I have found that Dunelm will take in old quilts, pillows, curtains and sheets, which is great. I will ask the local dog's home first if they want them.

Doodledog

I had over-ripe bananas that were destined for a banoffee pie, but I've just realised that my husband has eaten the digestives 😡

Do you peel and freeze - thaw to use in baking?

I had over-ripe bananas that were destined for a banoffee pie, but I've just realised that my husband has eaten the digestives 😡

And three over-ripe bananas went into two cakes!

Some kitchen china and mugs today, still needing to be boxed.

Days 11, 12, 13 - A hectic few days, so I’m playing catch-up. On Friday I managed to cobble together a few things, including tatty old underwear, to throw out.

Yesterday, Saturday, I was out all day so I’m trying to make up for it today. I’ve been clearing out some stuff from the back yard and have got some broken pots to chuck out.

For today’s effort, I’ve emptied a tub, in my front garden, containing cushions for my outdoor furniture. Some damp has got in, a couple of the cushions have mildewed and are beyond saving.

By the time I’ve finished pottering about, I’m hopeful I’ll have accomplished three days’ worth of de-clutterment.

There are huge differences in what different councils will accept. There are even differences in the number of recycling bins (all for different items) in different areas of my small town. They all go to the same recycling plant, so it makes no sense to me.

Anyway. No bags went out yesterday, but two are half filled with different types of rubbish, so I'm taking it as a win. The plan is to carry on where I left off today, and aim to have a few full bags ready for the charity collection on 15th by the end of the weekend.

Calendargirl

AreWeThereYet

Guesswhat I'm with you on the paperwork. We started during lockdown and shredded bag after bag of paperwork. We're very bad at doing it, so end up with piles of shredding. We use the recyclable charity bags that come through the door for the shreddings so they can go in the recycling bin.

No!

Shredded paper jams up the machines and must NOT be put in with recycled paper.

Has to go in general waste unfortunately, even though it’s paper.

Not ours - we just have to make sure it's bagged up, which it is, and put in the recycling bin. It maybe extracted at the recycling plant and dealt with differently, I don't know.

Day 10 - today’s haul could be classed as ‘miscellaneous’.

I’ve sorted a little cupboard and found more paperwork to recycle. Other bits and bobs like old key rings to chuck out.

I hadn’t realised I had so many little greetings cards from charities such as the Red Cross. Going to make up a pack and take them to the charity shop. Bookmarks, loads of them - I’ll slot into books around the house rather than throw them out.

Picked out a pair of shoes I’ve worn once that I’ll take to the charity shop. So, all in all, a good carrier bag’s full.

Am wishing now that I’d planned to carry out this de-cluttering lark just on weekdays. Then it would take me six weeks, giving me two days of freedom each weekend. As it is, I’m rushing to keep up.

Never mind. I’m making progress - as I see lots of you are too .

Doodledog

We used to shred, but I got a gizmo like this for a lot of confidential waste so it can go straight into the bin. It’s a lot quicker and easier.

That my dh’s birthday present sorted! Thank you! He uses a black marker pen but that would be better, plus he’d be delighted to have a new gadget. 🤣

I generally keep materials for shredding until the winter months. I have three small hotbins and many compost worms, the shreds help to make lovely compost. I shred catalogues, old books, personal paperwork.

I read this thread a few days ago but didn't feel I could commit to a bag a day, so stayed quiet Yesterday I decided my clothes really needed sorting...........I've been ruthless and all the "I might lose enough weight to get back into it" ones that haven't seen daylight in years have gone, and some purchases that weren't really "me" (to my shame a couple still with tags). So a large black bin sack of good quality clothes to the local hospice shop along with a bag of clean stuff for ragging. I can now see what's in every drawer and cupboard, so thanks for the inspiration. I intend to keep plodding along, but not a bag every day.

Thanks for the tip about the privacy gizmo Doodledog I've seen them advertised but wondered how good they are. One ordered

Mollygo

Doodledog

We used to shred, but I got a gizmo like this for a lot of confidential waste so it can go straight into the bin. It’s a lot quicker and easier.

Thanks for that. I keep seeing those advertised and wondered how good they were. Personal recommendation, much better than stars on Amazon.

They are great. The little refills last for ages, and the gizmos are very small, so mine lives in the fruit bowl, which is on the edge of the worktop near the bin. I just swipe it over the address or bits of a bill I don't want others to see, tear off the plastic window and bin the paper.

Casdon

Yes, I realise different areas have different attitudes to what can and cannot be recycled. Shredded paper is a definite no-no for us though, which seems a shame as it’s all paper, but I can understand how it messes up the machines at the recycling plant.

Mollygo

Doodledog

We used to shred, but I got a gizmo like this for a lot of confidential waste so it can go straight into the bin. It’s a lot quicker and easier.

Thanks for that. I keep seeing those advertised and wondered how good they were. Personal recommendation, much better than stars on Amazon.

I might investigate, thanks Doodledog

Our third (and more expensive) shredder lasted just four months so we've given up on them now.
Yes, we did get a refund on that one.

Doodledog

We used to shred, but I got a gizmo like this for a lot of confidential waste so it can go straight into the bin. It’s a lot quicker and easier.

Thanks for that. I keep seeing those advertised and wondered how good they were. Personal recommendation, much better than stars on Amazon.

My foodbank is happy to accept started shampoo, make up , shower gel etc; - we put it out in a tub saying " help yourself" - items are snapped up .

DH and I started the new year by doing ONE pile/cupboard/drawer a day each so we’re not overwhelmed. It’s working really well.
Yesterday we went through drinks cupboard-I’m teetotal, DH barely drinks at all. We found FOUR unopened bottles of port! Am giving two away this week to thank ladies who are giving me lifts to choir. Emptied a few bottles with not much in-gin, pastis, ricard etc. Happy memories of our beloved France.
Then we had a walk at our nearby NT and took about half a dozen books and a jigsaw. . .then came away with one book and two jigsaws! 😂 we will redonate them soon-honest!

I tried using shredded paper to start the fire but it just didn't work. I think it was shiny magazine paper which has high china clay content.
I had made a mass of it for a lucky dip.
I don't normally shred paper . It either isn't very secret (I tear off the address) or it goes on the compost heap.

My df is coming back later today to collect the contents of a filing cabinet to sort. Where did the week go?

Calendargirl

AreWeThereYet

Guesswhat I'm with you on the paperwork. We started during lockdown and shredded bag after bag of paperwork. We're very bad at doing it, so end up with piles of shredding. We use the recyclable charity bags that come through the door for the shreddings so they can go in the recycling bin.

No!

Shredded paper jams up the machines and must NOT be put in with recycled paper.

Has to go in general waste unfortunately, even though it’s paper.

It is different in different areas, we are instructed to include
‘Shredded paper (in envelope or wrapped in paper)’ in our recycling.
It’s worth reading your local recycling policies, because there are some other things too that you can recycle in your normal collections that you wouldn’t think of.