Sustainable Organizing & De-Cluttering

At BALANCE, we believe our profession is inherently sustainable – Nancy and a large majority of her peers focus on minimizing possessions, the efficient use of stuff and the sustainable elimination of what is not useful or active in space. Putting the “stuff” that doesn’t serve you back out into the planet is a sustainable action! Throughout our service offerings, we provide practical methods to ensure you live a sustainable lifestyle and have an easily maintainable eco-friendly space.

BALANCE – A San Francisco Green Business.

Because here at BALANCE we care about conserving resources, sustainability and building a community around that, we took on the rigorous approval process and were accepted into the San Francisco Green Business Program in December 2015. San Francisco Green Business is a member of the California Green Business Network.

San Francisco Green Business exists to help San Francisco businesses adopt environmental practices that are sustainable as well as profitable. Their mission is achieved by setting stringent criteria, providing technical assistance, and publicly recognizing and promoting Green Businesses with a seal that enables customers to shop in keeping with their values.

We are honored to be a member of this body of amazing businesses in California.

The Book – Get Organized Today

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Get Organized TODAY, a book co-authored by Nancy Castelli and several of her peers, provides lessons on getting organized in every facet of your life. Because it’s her passion and key driver for her profession, Nancy’s Chapter is called “Get Organized for the Planet” with outlines 10 incredibly easy ways to clear your clutter in an Eco-Friendly way!

Contact me with your name, address and email address for a gift copy of this book!

Planet-friendly SF resources for letting go:

  • In San Francisco, Community Thrift

    623 Valencia St., S.F., CA 94110 – (415) 861-4910
    http://www.communitythrift.org
    When you donate at Community Thrift, the charity you choose will get the proceeds of your donation. Community Thrift will actually send them a check from the proceeds of your stuff!!! It’s a Double Give!!
    http://www.communitythrift.org
    If you have lots of big stuff, like furniture in multiples, these folks will pick up!

  • Nationally, Salvation Army:

    You may not agree with their Christian message, but it comes from a place of love. What I love about Salvation Army is

    They are not picky about what you bring to their centers. The items they can’t sell in their stores are sent to indigent organizations where they are needed or disposed of responsibly.
    Many of the locations are Adult Rehabilitation Center, so their workers are getting a new start in life.
    They pick up: Call for a truck pick-up at 1-800-SA Truck!
    Many locations – the website had a location finder
    http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/

  • Nationally, Habitat for Humanity ReStore

    Organizers love ReStore. Habitat for Humanity, already a renowned organization for building homes, has expanded. ReStores are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers that sell new and gently used furniture, appliances, home accessories, building materials and more to the public at a fraction of the retail price. Proceeds are used to help build strength, stability, self-reliance and shelter in local communities and around the world.
    http://www.habitat.org/restores and search for a ReStore near you.

  • In San Francisco, SCRAP – Scroungers’ Center for Reusable Art Parts

    SCRAP takes donations of high quality, low cost, re-usable materials such as fabric/textiles, paper, jewelry findings, wood, buttons, plastics and more. Donations are collected, sorted, displayed and sold at bargain basement prices by SCRAP for artists, teachers and community groups.
    http://www.scrap-sf.org/

  • Toxic Stuff

    Please don’t put these items in the trash – they are VERY TOXIC! Live on, Planet Earth!

    For disposing of batteries, latex paints, fluorescent lights and other toxic materials:
    Most Hardware Stores will also take your Latex Paint and other Toxic items.
    Your local Waste Disposal company also likely has a plan for accepting your Toxic items
    For batteries, in San Francisco:

    • Cliff’s Variety (in the Castro)
    • The UCSF Store, on Parnassus
    • Sports Basement
    • Discount Builders Supply at 13th and Mission
    • Rainbow Grocery
    • Whole Foods
    • SF Recycling and Disposal – On trash day, just put them in a zip-lock bag on top of your trash bin.

    For fluorescent lights, in San Francisco, drop them off at:

    • Discount Builders Supply at 13th and Mission
    • Rainbow Grocery
    • Whole Foods
    • SF Recycling and Disposal (501 Tunnel @ Recycle Road)

    For latex paint, in San Francisco, drop them off at:

    • Cole Hardware Stores (call first to double check)
    • Cliff’s Variety (in the Castro)
    • Last’s Paint Clearance Center (2141 Mission)
    • SF Hazardous Waste Facility (501 Tunnel @ Recycle Road)