I put absolutely everything EXCEPT cooked food and power armor parts (which go into their own containers) into the workbench in Sanctuary. Makes it easy to grab things, because I know exactly where they are. Set up supply lines, and you've got access to your building materials everywhere.
Only time I throw stuff on the ground, is when I need to extend out the settlement object bar by using the well-known trick for it.
I'll occasionally scrap items in the field, if I come across workbenches, to reduce my carry weight (since 90% of what I loot is just for building mats at this point). I like the fact that you have to visit a workbench to do it, because it makes more sense.