5 Green-Friendly Moving Tips  

Many people strive to be more environmentally conscious daily and habitually make little changes to reduce their carbon footprints. However, moving day can detract from these efforts due to extra fuel use and, of course, packing materials. 

Fortunately, there are ways we can reduce our environmental impact when moving to a new home. To plan an eco-friendlier move, try the following tips.

1. Declutter your home

One of the greenest things you can do when planning a move is to declutter your home. The less you have to move, the greener you’ll be since fewer belongings to move results in using less packing materials and potentially fewer trips driving back and forth between homes. Donate or sell any household items you no longer need or want. Research recycling options for old electronics so that they don’t end up in a landfill.

2. Reuse containers

Granted, you’ll probably need to buy some moving boxes, but you can also reuse any containers you already have on hand. Consider items that can be converted into packing boxes:

• Suitcases
• Plastic bins
• Backpacks
• Duffel bags
• Laundry baskets
• Reusable grocery bags

As a bonus, not only is repurposing items an eco-friendly way of packing, it’ll cut back on your moving and fuel costs since you can consolidate belongings you’re already moving, thus making fewer trips.

2. Repurpose cardboard boxes

Chances are, you routinely purchase household items online. Once you know you’re planning a move, start saving these boxes to reuse them. Or, if you don’t order much online, see if you can get boxes someplace else. For instance, ask friends on social media if they have any boxes they don’t need. Also, check with your local grocery or liquor store and ask what days they stock their deliveries; many merchants are happy for people to take empty boxes off their hands.

3. Use towels, blankets, and clothing

Instead of buying endless rolls of plastic bubble wrap, try repurposing towels, blankets, and clothing (or any other materials) to secure fragile items.

• Don’t discard mismatched socks; use them to wrap up glasses and other breakables.
• Wrap photo frames and artwork with towels and blankets.
• Layer breakables between clothing when packing out dressers and closets (simplify things by only packing fragile items with clothing that will go in the same room).
• Use dishtowels to layer between tableware.

If you can find ways to consolidate and use household items as packing material, this will go a long way in cutting back on plastics, such as bubble wrap.

Pro tip: When packing items within the layers of towels, blankets, or clothing, be sure to label these boxes as containing breakables, so they are handled carefully.

5. Leave kitchen for last

Plan to pack your kitchen last, or leave out one table setting per person, so you can avoid using paper products, disposable cups, and plastic utensils during the days leading up to your move. Also, try to avoid takeout meals – instead, use up the food in your pantry. You’ll avoid creating more waste (takeout packaging) and have less bulk to move on moving day.

Move Smart

Fortunately, there are many ways you can reduce your carbon footprint. As a moving company, we can help consolidate your move to ensure fuel isn’t wasted with multiple trips back and forth. To learn more about our moving solutions and any green initiatives we have or can suggest, call us today.