Eco-Friendly Moving Tips

You can lessen the impact of your residential move on the environment by following a few tips.

Declutter

One of the simplest ways to reduce the environmental impact of your relocation is to get rid of unnecessary items. The less stuff you have to move, the less energy you'll need to move it.

Go through each room, sorting things you don't need. Then, donate any items you can to sustainable causes or organizations with thrift shops such as Goodwill. Allowing others to reuse your items rather than throwing them away helps the environment.

Drop off hazardous waste materials like paint cans and electronics at your local disposal center.

Use Eco-Friendly Supplies

Reuse boxes that others have used in previous moves. You can often find gently used boxes from your professional mover, Craigslist, or Nextdoor. If you need additional boxes or bins, find reusable ones that you can use for storage in your new home.

You can also minimize environmental impact by using household items as packing materials. Blankets, towels, sheets, and tee shirts are some examples. Use old newspapers and magazines to wrap fragile items, as well. If you run out of towels and sheets, consider bubble wrap made of corrugated paper.

If you still need additional packing materials, consider buying biodegradable packing peanuts. Biodegradable peanuts are made from corn or wheat starch and require less manufacturing energy than Styrofoam ones. They also dissolve in the sink so that you can compost them easily.

Plan Travel Logistics

If you are moving a significant distance, chances are you'll have to travel from your old home to your new location several times during the moving process. For example, you may have to make one trip to apply for a job and another to find housing. Planes and automobiles can negatively impact the environment. Consider rail travel when feasible. If you must travel by air, use a green airline and book a nonstop flight to save on fuel.

Dispose Properly After the Move

After your move, dispose of your boxes and packing supplies in an eco-friendly way. Some movers and websites offer to buy back boxes, which gives you a little cash and ensures that others will reuse the boxes rather than throw them away. Also, compost water-dissolvable items.

Start Off Green

Decide to use green practices in your new home from the beginning. A few examples are

• Replace standard lightbulbs with LED lightbulbs,

• Use Energy Star appliances,

• Add insulation to walls and roofs,

• Unplug appliances you don't use and turn off lights when you leave the room,

• Walk, bike, carpool, or use public transportation if possible.

• Install a low-flow shower head.

• Wrap an insulated blanket around your water heater

Moving Assistance

When interviewing potential professional moving companies, ask them how they reduce the carbon footprint of moves they manage. Choose a company that cares about the environment and can provide tools to help you reach your sustainability goals. Let us share our sustainable practices with you. Contact us today for a free quote.