Cleanse That Paper

Renee Lafair  Start Living Green Expert

Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough. 
                                                                                                     ~Author Unknown

     Decluttering happens in many ways.  One prime example is to cleanse that

paper, and I don't mean giving paper a bath.  Near the beginning of the year, there are hundreds of articles on detoxifying your body, cleansing your system, and starting over.

     It's a great time to rethink paper and its many highly addicting forms. There's newspapers, those beloved catalogs, the detested junk mail, magazines, printer paper, paper towels, napkins, flyers, take home circulars, books, telephone books, and the list goes on and on.

     So, as we move further into this year, it's time to assess what you use, and what you don't. Cut some of that paper out. 

Here are a few things to try:

1. Inventory of newspapers and magazine subscriptions.  Do you

read them all?  Can you enjoy them online?  Cut one or more out.

2.  Look carefully at your mail.  What percentage of it is junk mail?

Unsubscribe from junk mail.  You can do that.  Google "getting off of

Junk mail lists."   

3. Are you a paper pile person?  If so, try this out - if you can get

the information that the paper or article has in less than thirty minutes, throw it away.  Those papers that you could not get rid of will suddenly disappear and chances are, you won't even notice they are gone. 

4.  For kitchen paper, reduce those paper towels by using dish towels.

I use one a day and throw it in the hamper each evening so nothing funny

grows on it. At fast food restaurants, grab only the napkins you need.
5.  Share your ideas here, and with others. 

     When you declutter, you simplify and clear your mind. 

     Try using less paper.  It will save you money.  It wastes less.  And, of

course, it helps us move toward a more sustainable future.

     There are many good articles available on how to opt out. Most of the businesses who regularly send you mail have an opt-out offer, as well.