The Skinny >>

As of January 2008, according to the Self Storage Association, there were over 50,000 storage facilities in the U.S.—with a lot of units in every one. And three years before that “One in 11 American households…own[ed] self-storage space” (Slate.com).

And despite the need for all that space to store extra items, “The average North American throws away 600 times their weight in garbage during their life,” according to About My Planet.  I’ve heard it said we produce about three pounds of that everyday.

Work It >>

*Whittle down your belongings. Clean out your closets (Tracy and Lauren show us how), go through your garage, mine the depths of your junk drawer. Then recycle or give it away. One guy named Dave got his possessions down to 100 things, but you don’t have to go that far to make a difference while making life simpler and less bogged down.

*Recycle and reuse. Find out what can go in your blue bin and how to recycle other household items from cosmetics to running shoes to give as much stuff as possible a second life (we’ve got a guide that might help here).

*Buy Used and give used. Donate items you no longer need to someone who could use them. There are the Goodwill and local shelters for starters (and I once gave linens to a neighbor who rescued dogs). The options abound. And get to know your local thrift stores for your own wishlist. I’ve found many an amazing clothing deal and scored some other random things at mine.  Plus, there’s always Craigslist.

*Repair! You can get your pants’ waist taken in (or out), resole your shoes, fix an appliance, or otherwise restore something that would be headed to the trash or Goodwill. If it’s broke, fix it!

*Reinvent.  Those jeans could be a tote bag or some other manner of thing. An outdated tee could become a cleaning rag or something even more exciting (laptop sleeve?). Why buy when you can get creative and DIY?

*When you do buy, buy local and go for things that last. When shopping for something specific, check local stores first to infuse some life in your town’s economy. If it’s green, that’s golden. At Indiebound you can locate local, independent bookstores and other indie retail spots near you. Also, opt for something built to stand the test of time, the way our great grandparents did. With heirloom design in mind, you’ll get something of quality you just might be able to pass down to your or someone else’s offspring—a whole lot better in the long run than planned obsolescence.

Earn Your Stripes >>

Join The Compact. It’s a big commitment, but compacters buy nothing new for one whole year (or beyond), reducing their consumption and their waste while arguably, creating more quality of life. Plus, you can still barter, borrow or buy used, so your creativity is bound to blossom!  Read about one compacter we know in L.A. here.

Related Content >>

• YDT’s Recycling Guide
• Reuse = Repair
• Green Home Remodel Part Three: Ditch the Dumpster
• Saying Goodbye to Stuff
• YDT TV: Green Your Closet
• Angela Barton’s Compact: A Year Well Spent

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