Many people are searching for ways to lower the ecological impact in all of their activities, from eating to shopping to daily activities. Moving, however, may seem like something that would be resistant to this goal. Fortunately, there are quite a few ways in which you can make a move eco-friendly. We’ll help you out with 11 of the easiest ways below/
1. Reduce the Number of Boxes You Use
Moving is often thought of as an activity that has to use plenty of boxes, but in many cases, this isn’t really a solid requirement. Bags, empty trash bins (with clean liners), dresser drawers, and other such containers can also be suitable. This is especially true for unbreakable items like clothes.
2. Use Recycled Boxes
Some things do need boxes, but those containers don’t have to be new. You can sometimes buy lightly-used ones for your move. Alternatively, try reusable moving boxes.
3. Use Eco-Friendly Packing Materials
Standard packing materials like foam peanuts and bubble wrap can be hard to recycle after use. Try using towels, old clothes, and other such things as an environmentally friendly alternative to bubble wrap.
4. Don’t Take Everything Along
Donate, sell, or recycle anything you don’t want. This way, you won’t need to spend as much in fuel to move because the load will be lighter. In fact, you might even be able to use a smaller truck.
5. Hire a Moving Company
A green moving company has big trucks to get the job done. Even though this may seem less efficient than your car, you’ll actually save fuel in the long run. That’s because the truck(s) will only have to make one trip, while you would have to make several with the typical car or SUV.
6. Don’t Let Junk Mailers Know Where You’re Going
The Post Office’s change-of-address service may be tempting, but the names and addresses of the users of this option get sold to marketers. Avoid some junk mail by manually updating your address.
7. Use Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Most people need to clean their old homes before they move out or clean the new location before fully settling in. Use eco-friendly products to do this. If you hire a maid service, be sure their methods are also eco-friendly.
8. Minimize Utility Service Overlap
It’s less stressful if you allow utility service to stay on at both homes for a couple of days just in case you’re delayed, but be sure that they don’t stay on longer than that. Heating, cooling, or lighting an empty house is a waste of energy.
9. Leave Your Old Appliances Behind
If you’re moving from a house, you’ll be able to advertise it as “move in ready” if the basic appliances are in place. Even better, you’ll have the chance to get new Energy Star ones for your new house.
10. Pack the Kitchen Last
This allows you to avoid needing paper plates or plastic utensils for the time between packing up and arriving at your new home.
11. Avoid Rush-Hour Travel
If possible, schedule your move so that you won’t encounter any rush-hour traffic during the trip. Resist pressures to accept morning appointments that would land you right in the thick of it, especially if you’ll be traveling to, from, or through a city of any notable size.
Quick Tips
- Don’t take any unwanted items
- Use recycled and recyclable boxes and packing materials
- Use eco-friendly products for related activities like cleaning
- Avoid the use of disposable items
When it’s time to move, be sure to call Tiger Moving & Storage in New Jersey. We’re an eco friendly moving company that will pack everything as efficiently as possible so that no truck space – or fuel – is wasted in your move.
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