To some, the idea of environmental "sustainability" might seem like a big, intimidating concept, but it all boils down to nothing more than an ongoing series of small choices. These are the types of decisions we make every single day, from the amount of hot water we go through when we take a shower to how many paper napkins we use during lunch. A person can't just snap their fingers and decide to be sustainable--instead, they have to consciously make better and more careful choices each day.
Another one of those decisions regards the products we buy and design. Since we're talking small choices, let's consider your choice of drawer organizers. Many of our drawer storage solutions are manufactured from renewable and recycled materials, and each has its own strengths and useful qualities. (Also, a number of these products are exclusive, which makes us particularly proud of them!) Below, we've listed a few of these materials and some of the best drawer storage products made from each.
Acacia
Acacia trees are found all over the world, and they produce a very beautiful and durable wood that is naturally water-resistant. It's this last quality that makes it especially handy in kitchen storage products. We have a variety of drawer solutions made from acacia, including modular organizers, expandable trays, and starter kits.
We designed our Stackable Acacia Drawer Organizers to look great either inside a drawer or on a desktop or countertop.
Ash
Typically lighter in color, ash wood is also very lightweight and strong. Our Stackable Ash Wood Drawer Organizers allow you to create a customized storage solution for office supplies, kitchen utensils, or other items. And if you simply need adjustable dividers, Marie Kondo's signature collection features ash dividers for either your dresser or kitchen drawer.
Our Ashwood Accessories File Cabinet Starter Kit fits perfectly into our colorful array of exclusive file cabinets.
Bamboo
Bamboo is technically a type of grass, but it's as hard as timber and one of the fastest-growing plants in the world. (Some varieties can grow as much as 1-1/2 inches an hour!) This makes it an ideal material for sustainable product construction, and we offer a variety of bamboo organizers. In addition to our own assortment of modular and expandable bamboo organizers in a lighter wood tone, Marie Kondo's collection also includes a large number of high-quality bamboo products in a darker Kocha Brown finish.
Our Bamboo Large Drawer Organizer Starter Kit includes the Expandable Bamboo Flatware Tray and two modular stacking organizers.
Birch
While it's heavier than ash or bamboo, birch is a very hard and strong wood with a myriad of uses. In addition to her bamboo drawer organizers, Marie Kondo recently added a matching assortment made from birch wood. Each piece is finished with a gentle whitewash and protected with a food-safe matte lacquer, so they'll last a long time.
The Marie Kondo Birch Narrow In-Drawer Knife Organizer holds up to 12 knives and features an adjustable handle rest.
Cedar
Cedar wood has a natural superpower: its scent repels fabric-damaging moths! As a result, it's been used in clothing storage chests for thousands of years. To help our customers keep their clothing well-protected, we created a selection of cedar products that includes hangers, shelf liners, boot shapers, sprays--and yes, even adjustable drawer organizers. These organizers can be placed into drawers to divide their contents, and their pest-stopping power can be easily renewed periodically with only a quick rub of sandpaper.
Our Cedar Adjustable Drawer Organizers expand from 12" to 18" to fit many types of dresser drawers.
Paulownia
At first glance, "paulownia" sounds like a fake country that someone named Paul made up, but it's actually a hardwood tree native to Asia. (Fun fact: it is named after Anna Paulowna, who was Queen Consort of the Netherlands during the 1840s.) Like bamboo, paulownia grows very fast, so it has become a popular wood for creating sustainable products. Recently, The Home Edit introduced their own collection of drawer organizers, bins, and turntables made from paulownia wood. Each item is food-safe, lightweight, and warp-resistant, making them must-haves for any kitchen.
The Home Edit by iDesign's Drawer Organizers are available in both onyx (shown above) and sand finishes.
Recycled Felt
For storing more delicate types of clothing such as lingerie, scarves, and undergarments, ThreeByThree Seattle has created a collection of drawer organizers made from soft, recycled felt. They also feature a sturdy construction, making them also ideal for small toys and sewing supplies.
ThreeByThree Seattle's Felt Drawer Organizers feature color-contrasting interiors that allow you to color-code the contents of each bin.
Recycled Paperboard
Our popular Marie Kondo collection features a variety of drawer organizers and storage boxes made from heavyweight 100% post-consumer recycled paperboard. They look great in any drawer and are perfect for clothing, jewelry, accessories, or office supplies.
This exclusive set of Calm Hikidashi Drawer Organizers is decorated with a textured paper that resembles linen weave.
Recycled Plastic
While we do sell a lot of plastic products, over the last few years we've increased our efforts to offer more items made from recycled plastics. Cases in point: our recent Rosanna Pansino collection, as well as our own Terra Sustainable Organizers. Rosanna Pansino's Eco-Friendly Drawer Organizers are in her signature "coconut" finish and manufactured from post-consumer recycled plastic and natural materials. Similarly, each of our exclusive Terra Drawer Organizers is made from 100% recycled plastic, and they are both stackable and shatter-resistant. If you prefer plastic drawer organizers, you can't go wrong with either one!
The Rosanna Pansino x iDesign Drawer Organizer Starter Kit features a set of ten modular organizers in a variety of sizes.
Check out our Sustainability In-Depth Guide for even more great sustainably-sourced storage and organization products!
