Moving can create lots of waste. Even when we consider ourselves environmentally-friendly, there’s something about moving that causes us to throw our rule book out the window for the sake of convenience. But with our landfills piling up and 14% of the population moving every year, a “just this once” attitude is turning into a problem for our planet.
Our professional Sunnyvale moving company often sees more waste than is necessary during a move. While we do what we can to reduce waste, a huge part of moving with green intentions starts with the homeowner (that’s where all the waste starts, after all). If you’re moving this year and want to do it responsibly, use these tips to have an Eco-friendly move.
Cook Your Way Through Your Pantry
The move can come up fast, and during this hectic time it’s tempting to order plenty of takeout. While Thai food and burritos do the trick during crunch time, this can become a problem for the environment as well as your wallet. First, takeout is often packaged in non-recyclable materials, so you are creating more waste this way.
Also, when you order takeout you aren’t making a dent in the food that’s already in your pantry. About a month before you move, start cooking with items in the freezer and the pantry. You may have to get creative, but it’s better to eat the products you bought than toss them the week of the move. This can prevent extra waste and save you money.
Donate Items
Purging before packing is an excellent way to reassess what matters to you and get a head start on your clean slate. Donating items like clothes, furniture, electronics, rugs, and appliances will not only minimize waste, but will also offer up perfectly good items for people that may need them.
You can also hold a garage sale if you want to make a nice chunk of change to add to your moving budget. Either solution is better than the dumpster.
Recycle
For the items you do toss, organize them into recycling, compost, and garbage. Recycling keeps perfectly good materials in the cycle for use later. When recycling, be sure to abide by recycling rules. These include:
- Wash your recycled items before disposing of them
- Separate recyclables by material (plastic, cardboard, glasses, etc.)
- Break down boxes before disposing of them
Collect Used Boxes
There’s no need to buy new boxes with so many disposed boxes sitting in the back room of department stores. Take a trip to your local shopping outlets: the grocery store, office supply store, electronics store, department store, wholesale store, outdoor recreation outlet, and liquor store and ask to take their used boxes off their hands. Pro tip: Take a look around your house to see what size boxes you need most. This will help you keep an eye out for the best boxes for your needs.
Pack Wisely
Not everything has to be packed in a cardboard box. Take stock of items in your house that can hold other items: luggage, furniture drawers, and crates. Packing with non-packing materials can reduce waste while also reducing the load in the moving truck.
Use Environmentally Friendly Packing Materials
Bubble wrap and those little Styrofoam peanuts are terrible for the environment, but the good news is they aren’t necessary. Purchase biodegradable bubble wrap to protect your fragile items.
As for other packing materials, take a look around the house to see what you can find. Old newspapers, towels, linens, magazines, and junk mail go a long way in protecting your belongings. Start by collecting loose papers and spare materials about a month before the move. You will be surprised at how quickly your stockpile adds up!
Forward Your Mail Electronically
Use your move as an opportunity to finally go paperless with your billing. When changing your address and forwarding your mail, request digital mail wherever possible.
Use Eco-Friendly Cleaning Supplies
A clean house is a welcoming house, and while it’s common practice to clean your home before you leave, stay away from harsh chemicals. Many standard cleaning supplies contain phosphates which are known to damage marine life. Use Eco-friendly cleaning supplies to reduce environmental toxins in the house. Natural cleaning solutions like vinegar, lemon and peppermint are excellent additions to a ‘green’ cleaning mission.
Ready? Let’s Move
If you’re looking for a professional moving company who cares about your needs and can work efficiently, Moving Forward can help. Our professional Sunnyvale movers are known for their efficient work and excellent customer service. Call Moving Forward for your free quote today.
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