After attending a presentaion given by David Mazza, with the Pennsylvania Resources Council I learned about many new resources for recycling in Pittsburgh. These will all be added to the searchable database on the www.mckeeos.com website. One very interesting point he made that I wanted to share was about recycling plastics. Many local communities have moved to single stream recycling and have opened up their collections to taking plastics from numbers 1-7. David explained that there still is not a market for the higher numbered plastics. The theory is that by opening it up to “all” plastics recycling centers will probbly get more lower number plastics. With that information, consumers should still stay away from the higher number plastics like 5-7 because hey will probably be disgarded like other regular trash.

Why do we spring clean? Is it the way the sunshine streams in and seams to spotlight things that seem to be hidden during the dreariness of winter? Does it go back to some primal nesting or post-hibernating instinct? It is the URGE TO PURGE! Often it sneaks up on us. It is an unanticipated need for order that has a certain energy that we can tap into to get organized. If you pay attention to these little urges, organization becomes more like a life rhythm rather than an event. Notice cues that each season brings and take action. Here are some tips that will help you make the most of your URGE TO PURGE this spring.
Clothes Switch
Don’t under estimate the importance switching out seasonal clothes. It gives you the chance to evaluate what you are actually wearing and to make good decisions about what you actually need from season to season. If you need a visual cues to help you see what you actually wear, try turning the clothes that are on hanger in the opposite direction and as you use your clothes replace the hangers the usual way. After a few months you can really see which clothes you use.

Kids can Help
Take time to go through your children’s toys and schoolwork. Have them be involved in the process as much as possible so that they practice making decisions too. It is important to keep it positive and fun. Encourage kids to give things to others that they no longer use. Foster the idea of generosity instead of loss.

Photos
Take time to go over your photos and organize them. Don’t be paralyzed about finding the perfect system just sort and put away current photos to make sure you are keeping up with them as they come in.

Schedule Service
Do something nice for yourself and let someone help! Pick one spring chore that you always put off or just don’t want to face, schedule someone to help. A great example would be having someone to do the windows!

Write down any 3 items that you can do each day to keep your life running smoothly. Here are some ideas:
 Go through mail, sort and toss!
 Clean kitchen before going to bed.
 Clear off your desk.
 Pick up/straighten house.
 Lay out clothes for next day.
Be honest. If you did those 3 things tonight, how you would wake up feeling tomorrow? Think of these as SINGLE DAILY ACTIONS that will soon become the GOOD HABITS that support an organized life!