The difficulties of decluttering and eco-living amid a Marie Kondo-craze
TORONTO - A decluttering craze fuelled by Marie Kondo's new Netflix show is sparking joy for adherents, but also highlighting the hurdles and unspoken practices of what it takes to live with less.
There is a dark side to a minimalist movement in which a good chunk of unwanted belongings ends up in the trash despite good intentions, say garbage, recycling and donation collectors who are ramping up publicity efforts to make sure useful items don't end up in landfill.
While the Salvation Army's national donation manager is buoyed by what Kondo-fever could do for the non-profit's chain of thrift stores, she bemoans the ongoing belief by some that single socks and stained towels are at the end of their lifespan.
Tonny Colyn urges declutterers to add those to the donation pile, noting they can be recycled into industrial rags, or shredded for stuffing.
“It's terrible when people have a ripped pair of jeans that they throw in the trash,” says Colyn, adding that while they accept such items, not all charities...
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