How to De-clutter Your Garbage Can

Ever had that embarrassing moment when a guest throws something out in your garbage can and gets a look at its dirty, disorganized contents? While the trash has a tendency to get messy very quickly, there are a few things you can do to get organized. Follow these simple steps to ensure you have the cleanest, most organized garbage in the neighborhood!

 

Dump the contents of your garbage can on the floor.  It sounds messy, but will give you the best idea of what you’re working with. It’s important to know your accent pieces and which items you may need to put away in your upstairs trash, so be sure to spread that junk out all over the place and take up as much space as you need. You know what they say: a fresh start is the foundation of a well-organized trash receptacle!

 

 

Group items together by size and color.  This part can get a little tricky. For instance, that banana peel seems like it should belong with the yellows…but food waste should technically go with the browns since it’s starting to rot. This is just one example of some of the many tough decisions you’ll be faced with in your quest for orderly debris. Just use your best judgment on what to throw out and what to put at the top of what you throw out. You got this!

Once you’ve grouped your crap together according to an aesthetically pleasing color scheme, it’s time to…

 

Put everything in a different trash, but more neatly this time. Once you’ve cleared out your real trash can, you can organize your attic trash in plenty of creative ways. Don’t be afraid to really use your imagination! Why not shape the soggy coffee grinds from Wednesday’s brew into a textural, decorative trash bag lining?  Or fold those used tissues into ornate, origami swans to be placed at the top? Nobody is going to see this – but if you can store everything neatly in clear, plastic containers lined with clear plastic bags, you’ll have everything within reach, without all the clutter.

 

Just follow these steps, and you’re well on your way to a perfectly organized heap of garbage that’s sure to be the talk of the neighborhood!