Moving to a new home is a great way to get a clean start, but it might not always be green. Between packing up your belongings, transporting them, and setting up your new home, the environmental impact of your moving process can really add up. Here we discuss some Eco-Friendly Ways to Keep Your Move Green. These ways help to reduce your environmental impact in the midst of your move:
Dispose off Dangerous Materials in an Eco-Friendly Manner
Whether you realize it or not, some of the items that you will be moving may be harmful to the environment. And as such, those hazardous materials are not allowed to be moved between homes due to the high risks of fire, corrosion, explosion or other types of serious damage during transport.
Federal laws prohibit professional moving companies from transporting any flammable, corrosive or explosive items, and you shouldn’t try to move them too if you’re planning a self-move. Therefore, to show that you care about the environment and to make your next move a green one, you’re going to have to dispose of such dangerous goods, and do it properly.
Materials that can be harmful to the environment include acids, ammonia, gasoline, kerosene, motor oil, antifreeze, engine oil, dyes, pesticides, fertilizers, weed killers, paint, paint thinners, cleaning supplies, and even aerosol cans.
Use Eco-Friendly Packing Materials
When you’re organizing a house move, your greatest contribution to preserving the planet will be to use eco-friendly packing materials to pack and protect your prized possessions. All in all, you are strongly encouraged to use recyclable and biodegradable packing materials for all your packing needs.
Cardboard Boxes. You should definitely re-use old cardboard boxes instead of rushing to the store to purchase brand new ones. Keep in mind that standard cardboard containers can last between 4 and 7 uses before their life cycle ends and they are good only for one thing – recycling. Firstly, ask your friends and neighbors if they have cardboard boxes they won’t ever need again, and if they do, get them. Secondly, visit a few local stores and speak with their managers about getting free cardboard boxes. And thirdly, check websites such as Craigslist and Freecycle to look for free moving boxes in your area.
Plastic Bins. Plastic bins are great eco-friendly alternatives to standard cardboard boxes. In general, plastic goods are bad for the environment, but this time it’ll be different. Why? Because you’ll want to purchase plastic storage bins that are made from recycled plastic. It’s important to note that purchasing or renting plastic containers for your move will be a good investment because 1) they can be re-used hundreds of times without sustaining any damage and 2) they provide an outstanding protection for your belongings.
Green bubble wrap and Green packing peanuts. Whenever possible, use the green alternative (up to 40% recycled content) to traditional bubble wrap. Also, if you plan on using packing peanuts when packing for a move, make sure they are the biodegradable type, made from vegetable oils and cornstarch.
Avoid Throwing Things in the Trash as Much as Possible.
When you’re overwhelmed and busy packing up your old home, it can feel easy and tempting to simply throw away things that you don’t want anymore or things you can buy replacements for, like toiletries, cleaning supplies, or condiments. Whenever you find yourself going to throw something in the trash can, resist the urge and ask yourself if you can keep, donate, recycle, or repurpose it.
Pack With Reusable Plastic Containers and Storage Boxes
Corrugated boxes are admittedly pretty easy to recycle. The bubble wrap, tape, and packing peanuts you use in those boxes? Not so much. Help the environment and keep your home goods intact by investing in a set of hard, reusable plastic bins. They make great storage containers when the move is over! Don’t want all that plastic cluttering up your new home? Use a returnable box service that lets you bring your bins back when you’re done.
Hire an Environment-Friendly Moving Company
When trying to organize a green move, one of the most significant things you can do to minimize your environmental impact is to hire a moving company that also cares about the environment. And it seems that more and more of the top moving companies in the country invest in and commit to eco-friendly practices and products for a better and cleaner world. Here are some points about best moving companies.
- The best green moving companies in the industry use bio-diesel for their green moving trucks (not necessarily green in color),
- have a fleet of modern fuel-efficient moving vehicles that reduce the environmental impact,
- use GPS devices in their moving trucks to plan the most direct and fuel-efficient route to the destination homes,
- pack with eco-friendly packing materials – recycled cardboard boxes, recycled re-usable plastic bins, and biodegradable bubble wrap and biodegradable packing peanuts,
- consolidate shipments, whenever possible, to save resources and offer better prices for their customers
- buy back any unused packing materials from their customers or offer to recycle for free any excess supplies left after unpacking.
So, when you’re looking for green moving services, be brave enough to ask the moving companies you’re reviewing what specific measures they take to preserve the environment. In this regard, Km Mover is considering the best moving company that always take care the needs of Eco Friendly move of its clients.
Use Green Cleaning Methods
Moving comes with cleaning! If you’re having an apartment move, you will want to keep your unit clean for move-out inspection. And if you are one of those kind and considerate people who clean after they move out for the new owners, we have a few tips on how to keep the cleaning eco-friendly. These tips also apply for when you want to clean your new place! Eco-friendly cleaning involves avoiding the use of harmful chemicals whilst cleaning. Employing eco-friendly cleaning methods includes using products that are biodegradable, non-toxic, and made from renewable sources. With the growing consciousness of the environment, many brands are offering green cleaning products for your household. Alternatively, you can use traditional methods by using vinegar (for kitchen and bathroom) and baking soda (removes odors) to make low-impact replacements for a number of household cleaning agents.
Turn Over a New Leaf in Your Home
Every move is like getting a fresh do-over. Use this relocation as a chance to purge excess clutter, and make a new commitment to not buy junk you don’t need. Take time to consider your purchases, instead of springing for impulse buys and sales. That’ll be less to toss next time you move, which hopefully won’t happen anytime soon!
