A Special Delivery Bin to Streamline Responsible Removal
Pinky Jackson Organizing’s Special Delivery bins allow us to carefully handle a variety of items for our clients.
One of the most effective organizing processes I recommend to clients is what I like to call special delivery. A designated bin and a system for distributing its contents responsibly allows you to make decisions quickly and remove items from your home responsibly. It’s a simple yet powerful concept that helps reduce the stress that comes with not knowing what to do with all those tricky items that don’t belong in regular trash, recycling, or donation bins.
Why a Special Delivery Bin is Essential
Most of us have old batteries, light bulbs, expired medications, eyeglasses, used candles, etc. around our homes. These items often pile up in random drawers, cabinets, and closets because they require special handling. We don’t know what to do with them so we just keep moving them around, which is an inefficient use of time. Or we ignore them, which contributes to clutter that prevents us from organizing each drawer and cabinet. When they’re scattered throughout our home, they also become an invisible part of our mental clutter, adding to our already busy to-do lists.
A special delivery bin is a game-changer because it gives these items a dedicated and safe place until they can be properly removed from your home. It’s not just about getting them out of sight—it’s about ensuring that hazardous materials don’t end up in landfills or waterways, small reusable items can be donated, library books get returned ,etc.
This system makes it easier to be both environmentally responsible and clutter-free.
Special Delivery Bins are a Great Way to Collect:
◈ Batteries and light bulbs, which can be taken to specialized recycling centers. Wrap glass light bulbs or put in separate bags. Make sure batteries are snugly packed so they don’t bounce around and create a charge.
◈ Expired &/or unused medications, both prescription and over the counter. Drop off at designated locations like a pharmacy or sheriff’s office. For our clients, we pull & shred all their personal information and use a redacting roller for any labels that cannot be removed.
◈ Eyeglasses, sunglasses, cases, etc. can be donated to organizations that help families in need.
◈ Used candles can often be repurposed by a local organization that upcycles them into new products.
◈ Returns, such as purchases, library books, items borrowed from a friend can be binned for special delivery so they get where they need to be. We get that done quickly for our clients; if you are DIYing it, give yourself a deadline so you don’t miss the return window and or create clutter.
◈ Etc. Anything that you no longer want or need but cannot / should not be tossed into a donation bag or trash bin might belong in the Special Delivery bin.
Creating a System That Works
Whether you’re doing this yourself or partnering with a professional organizer, having a dedicated place to collect these items is key. When everything is contained and ready to go, it’s much easier to schedule a time to handle those drop-offs. And if life gets busy you’ll at least know those items are safely tucked away and not contributing to the visual clutter in your home.
If you need expert organizing help, don't hesitate to reach out. Visit pinkyjackson.com to schedule a free assessment. We would love to help you with our Onsite Organizing services if you are in the Louisville, KY area or our Virtual Organizing services if you are more remote or prefer to work online.
Pinky Jackson is an Organizing Expert and Decluttering Specialist. She and her team organize homes & small businesses in Louisville, KY. For more information about Pinky’s pricing & services or to schedule your free assessment, go topinkyjackson.com
Photo: Getty Images Signature @gettysignature
