When preparing for a move, the latest trend in aiding the environment may also serve to save you money and provide you with an enjoyable move. The simple thought of packing, moving and unpacking is a source of stress for many individuals, but it doesn't need to be. By putting into action a few simple eco-friendly packing and unpaching tips, you can get your stuff packed, moved and unpacked without adding unnecessary waste to the local ecosystem.
Hiring an Eco-Friendly Moving Company
One of the most efficient and eco-friendly ways to pack for a move is with the assistance of professional green movers. Believe it or not, they are out there, rolling in their bio-diesel moving trucks and planting trees to help combat energy and resource usage. MoveGreen is one particular eco-friendly moving company located in Southern California; they are devoted to helping alleviate client stress, as well as reducing stress on the environment.
Green movers can help accommodate the packing and moving process by offering recycled packaging materials, boxes and several great tips to reduce the waste associated with your move. They will do the heavy lifting, legwork and provide necessary moving transport as well. Whether you have a studio apartment or a 5-bedroom home housing your family and all of your belongings, consider a green moving company to provide the appropriate respect to your new home, your old home, and the outside, shared environment.
Eco-Friendly Packing Tips
Boxes
Some simple eco-friendly packing tips may actually serve to save you money in the long run. For example, before you buy boxes, see what you can find via forums such as Craigslist, or another local entity. If you think in terms of "reduce, reuse, recycle," you'll be well on the path to eco-friendly packing. Boxes that are sturdy are the only ones worth using if you're pursuing a large/cross-country move. They'll go through more than you realize during transport. Last but not least, you'll want to overestimate your box needs.
Packing Paper and Peanuts
For fragile items, consider investing in recyclable packing paper, or using a stash of old newspapers or magazines that can be recycled at a later point. For the most breakable items, consider eco-friendly packing peanuts – yes, the kind that don't stick to everything and can be reused time and time again. There are also cornstarch packing peanuts available for eco-friendly packing, providing a biodegradable option.
Reduce the Packing Tape
To combat the moving waste that will eventually end up landfill-bound, consider alternatives to the use of packing tape. Packing tape may be a necessity, but it doesn't need to be used excessively. There are also eco-friendly rubber-based tapes that are sustainable alternatives. For boxes that are lightweight and stackable, it doesn't take much tape to do the trick. Less tape used on boxes will also make them last longer.
Eco-Friendly Unpacking
After the big move it's time for the part everyone loves the most – unpacking. Unpacking in an eco-friendly manner is as easy as remaining conscious of expendable disposal. Expendables, such as boxes, packing paper, peanuts, twine, rope and bungee are all reusable moving resources. If you don't have the space for them, you can pretty much guarantee someone else will want them. Ask around or put a post on Craigslist and watch the people come running for the freebies. Another great eco-friendly unpacking option is to recycle the raw materials such as cardboard and the plastic-foam peanuts.
