[ECO]Make an Eco-Friendly Move With These 8 Pointers

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Make an Eco-Friendly Move With These 8 Pointers

While it’s necessary, swapping zip codes generates truckloads of waste — especially plastic — that clog landfills. This trash creates water, soil and air pollution that’s bound to affect the public. Fortunately, everyone can change living spaces without overwhelming waste. 

Switching up some steps in your moving process checklist can make even this wasteful activity more sustainable.

1. Use Storage Boxes You Already Own

Scour your home for storage options. Do you still have the plastic crates you used to move into your current home? Use them to box up your clothes, decorations and utensils. Reusable grocery bags can hold your wardrobe.

The furniture you’re bringing also makes for excellent extra space, so don’t transport the cubbies or drawers empty. Instead, fill them with clothes, books and items that aren’t fragile. You’ll be surprised at how much you can save by creatively using what you already have to bundle up your possessions.

2. Rent Reusable Storage Bins

Rather than buying, it’s more eco-friendly to rent reusable storage boxes. Are they worth it? Absolutely. They’re more economical than buying things you’ll only use once. Plus, you can return them after settling in your new home without worrying about waste. However, do this only if there aren’t enough boxes to pack everything you own.

The easiest way to find moving units for rent is to search online. Several companies offer containers in various sizes.

3. Wrap Fragile Items With Clothes

Do you own delicate china and other expensive kitchenware? Instead of bubble wrap, use towels, blankets and clothes to cushion them from breakage.

Apart from saving money, you do your part in protecting the planet, so you’re hitting two birds with one stone. Secure them with shoelaces or eco-friendly tape.

4. Purchase Biodegradable and Recyclable Packing Materials

Swap styrofoam with

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with irregular shapes, such as vases or ashtrays. They protect fragile pieces from scratches that could happen during transport. Plus, unlike plastic materials, they decompose over time, reducing the environmental impact of moving.

If you need cardboard boxes, buy ones without wax or plastic film. These options can be recycled after use. If they survive after your move, pass them on to the next user by donating or selling them online.

Finally, buy paper tape for sealing boxes. It’s strong and recyclable.

5. Donate, Recycle or Repurpose

Separate out what can be donated, recycled and repurposed, and toss the rest in the trash. Getting in the habit of checking whether your old outfits

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before throwing them away can help improve the planet by decreasing the amount of textiles in landfills.

Cutting back on your waste by recycling or repurposing also translates to savings. You won’t need to buy new rags or mats if you can convert old clothes into floor essentials.

6. Hire a Sustainable Moving Company

The transportation industry is one of the largest contributors to air pollution due to emissions. Instead of contributing to this problem, reduce your trips or

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when moving. These aspects can minimize the fuel consumed during transport and curb environmental impact. To do so, you must find a sustainable moving company.

How will you know you’re hiring the right moving partner? First, check the type of fuel they use. Some truck providers use electric vehicles, which are the most sustainable. Others use biodiesel fuel — a more environmentally friendly alternative to diesel.

Green movers also use eco-friendly packing supplies. They’ll offer you reusable boxes and mostly skip nonrecyclable packing tapes.

Lastly, they’ll have certifications on their websites. A quick online search will give you an idea of how the brand operates.

7. Hem in Waste When Unpacking

After arriving at your new home, avoid throwing away unwanted packing materials yet. Check your moving supplies and separate those you can reuse for the next time you need to ship something. For example, donate cardboard boxes and store the plastic crates or use them in your garden. You can even sell them on social media to recoup your moving expenses.

If you’ve used bubble wrap, give it to your kids — they may love playing with it or using it as a mat. After they’re done messing with it, bring it to your recycling center for processing.

For the padding, assess if it can be recycled or composted. Otherwise, think of a creative way to repurpose it. Thinking of trashing something as your last option cuts down your waste significantly.

8. Furnish Your Home With Green Appliances

Once settled in a new place, you may need new or upgraded furnishing and appliances to fill out the new space. If this is the case for you, buy eco-certified ones since they’re more energy-efficient. Washing machines, microwaves and vacuums with Energy Star logos use less power, allowing you to save on your monthly bills.

The average household

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every year. By choosing eco-friendly devices, you can save 30% — or about $8,750 — on utility costs and avoid 77,000 pounds of emissions over their life spans.

Additional Tips for Moving

Below are some hacks to make your relocation even more ecological:

• Get your plan penciled in: Plan how to reduce the number of trips and pack for your move more efficiently. For example, you can tow a trailer for heavy furniture. You can also watch tutorials on how to best stack items within boxes or create a list of which items go in which box to save time packing.
• Borrow storage from friends or neighbors: If you don’t want to spend anything except for transportation, ask friends or neighbors if they can lend you packing boxes. You can also ask your local grocery store if they have leftover boxes that they would otherwise throw in the trash. 
• Dispose of trash properly: Segregate electronic waste from plastic and other materials and throw them away in designated bins. This ensures your recycles and trash are going to the right places and used properly. 

Make Your Move Kinder to the Planet

Moving comes with packing supplies and lots of plastic waste. However, you can curb the trash you generate with these eight tips for an eco-friendly move. All these tweaks in your moving decisions are minor, but they make a big difference in reducing pollution.

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