By Haley K.
If we want to protect our environment, it is important to be conscious of our carbon footprint. For many, recycling is a habit of daily life. However, there is more to green living than recycling old milk jugs. A sustainable lifestyle means being aware of all aspects of your everyday life. Take moving homes as an example. This commonplace process requires significant natural resources, produces non-recyclable waste, and consumes fossil fuels, all of which negatively impact the environment. Given that the average American moves 11.4 times in their life, it is important to adapt a greener moving process every time you move. That said, here are a few ways that you can make your next move as eco-friendly as possible.
#1: Use What You Have on Hand
Your first green move will require more effort than the rest. However, once you have your own process, the next move will be a breeze. In the meantime, here are a few tips. When you first find out that you’ll be relocating, take stock of your boxes, tape and packing materials. Set them aside and make a list of additional materials. Before you head to the store, you should also gather the containers and bags you already own. Gather any and all:
- Plastic bins
- Dresser drawers
- Crates
- Suitcases
- Duffle bags
- Shoe boxes
- Reusable grocery bags
- Beach bags
- Trash bags
- Laundry baskets
The goal is to use items you already have to pack your belongings instead of new cardboard boxes. You can even use your bathroom waste basket. Just throw in a liner and use it to pack all of your small toiletries. Every container you reuse will save you money on a box that you would have had to purchase otherwise. You will also reduce your carbon footprint drastically. While cardboard boxes are generally made from recycled materials, the recycling process uses significant amounts of energy, water and other natural resources.
#2: Gather Used Boxes
If you still need containers after step 1, opt for used cardboard boxes. This strategy repurposes boxes that would otherwise be sent to the trash. To get started, try reaching out to friends and family members who have recently moved and asking them if you can use any boxes that may be lying around their house.
If that is not enough, you can also find free, leftover boxes from recent moves on Craigslist. Last, but not least, try asking your local grocery stores and/or restaurants if they have any extra boxes from recent shipments. Or, if you are a member, you can also take advantage of the free boxes available at Costco!
#3. Experiment with Makeshift Packing Materials
Bubble wrap and packing peanuts are not the only materials that can protect your fragile items. Both of these materials are virtually impossible to recycle. Instead, try using some of the following items to protect your furniture and fragile belongings:
- Blankets
- Comforters
- Pillows
- Clothing
- Linens
- Towels
If you find yourself low on soft materials, you can also pack with old newspaper. Unlike packing peanuts, newspaper can be easily recycled in your standard recycling bin.
#4: Donate and Recycle What You No Longer Need
Now that you have gathered the materials, it is time to pack! Use this time to purge and start your fresher, greener lifestyle. While packing, make a pile of everything you would like to get rid of. Before you toss the entire pile into the trash, sort it into usable and unusable items. Anything in good condition can be donated to the Goodwill, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity or another thrift store.
All of these locations will provide you with a receipt for writing off your donation on your taxes. At this point, you should have one more pile of unusable items. Instead of throwing them out, try to find a way to recycle them. Surprisingly, there are a variety of household items that can be recycled. In addition to paper, plastic, and aluminum, try recycling old mattresses, tires, bicycles, batteries, appliances and electronics. Use this list of recyclable materials to properly recycle and dispose of your personal items.
#5: Save the Leftover Cardboard Boxes and Plastic Bins
After you move and settled, it is important to continue your green moving initiative. Start by saving all of the cardboard boxes and plastic containers. When you are finished, you can store them for the next move or loan them to friends. You can also list them on Craigslist for a stranger in need. In order to extend the box’s longevity, avoid tearing off the tape. This ultimately shreds the box’s fibers and makes it more difficult to reuse. Instead, use a small, sharp razor to cleanly cut the tape. If you decide to keep the boxes, there are many different ways to use them around your new home. Here are a few ideas:
- Organization
- Soak up oil leaks in the garage
- Gardening surface mats
- Protecting crafting tables
- Package gifts
Cardboard boxes are also great for entertaining for kids! As such, some companies even make their wardrobe boxes with a spaceship design cut-out that children can use after the move.
Do not stop being eco-friendly just because you are done moving. Instead, use your new home as a springboard to living a greener lifestyle. For example, you will likely have to do some cleaning in your new home. When you go to the store, opt for environmentally friendly cleaning supplies. You will probably also need to replace a few light, so why not transition to energy-efficient, LED light bulbs? Every choice you make has an impact on our environment, so stay green and help sustain our environment a little longer.
Haley K. assists O2E Brands in research and writing. O2E Brands consists of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, You Move Me, Wow 1 Day Painting, and Shack Shine. If you’d like to get in touch with Haley, feel free to email her at [email protected].