02 September 2022, 20:12
Moving is not an environmentally friendly process by any means. There are many ways in which moving can harm the planet, and yet this process is often overlooked as a source of concern. Moving involves a lot of driving, contributing to carbon monoxide (CO) emissions. Also, many people who are about to move dispose of their old clothes and furniture by throwing them into a landfill, where they can damage the environment.
How you handle your discarded items before relocating can have a negative impact on the environment. If you embrace green moving, you will greatly minimize the carbon footprint that moving leaves. There are many ways to reduce your impact on the environment when you move. Here are seven of them.
1. Donate or Sell Items You No Longer Need
One of the simplest steps to green moving is donating items you do not need anymore. By donating your old clothing, furniture, and appliances to charities or people who can use them, you prevent them from going into a landfill and possibly damaging the environment. You can also sell items that retain some value and make some money to offset the costs of your move. Whatever you do with your items, ensure that they do not go into a landfill, especially if they contain harmful substances.
2. Use Reusable Boxes or Containers to Pack Your Items
In addition to using boxes around the house, you can purchase from companies specializing in green moving supplies. Reusable boxes are often made from recycled materials and can be used multiple times without needing more cardboard. Also, these companies will often use recycled paper in their boxes for added effect. This is a great option for your move and will allow you to reduce the amount of cardboard that goes into landfills. It will also prevent any damage to your electronic items as well, which will not need to be packed as tightly.
Another great way to pack your items is by using reusable containers. These are great for packing liquids, such as the cocktail glasses for a wedding party or the wine bottles in your collection. It may also be easier for you to pack lighter items in these containers rather than using boxes.
3. Use Biodegradable Packing Materials to Pack Your Items
photo by Ketut Subiyanto
You might have heard of biodegradable packing materials, but do you know how they are made? These items are created from corn, sugarcane, and cassava. Biodegradable materials offer you an easy way to reduce packaging for a move since they're lightweight and don't take up too much space. Biodegradable packaging materials have several other benefits, such as the fact that they are also made from renewable resources.
4. Declutter Before You Start Packing
Before you start packing, you can declutter your home to cut down on waste. It may also be easier to pack lighter items into boxes and move larger items using totes and containers instead. Additionally, if your household contains things you can recycle, such as old newspapers or magazines, recycling services may be able to do so for you at a low cost.
5. Hire a Green Moving Company
Photo by Artem Podrez
If you want to minimize your carbon footprint and environmental impact during your move, there are green moving companies that you can hire. These companies often use the same strategies you can employ, such as opting for reusable boxes and packing materials. Some will also collect used items in their local area to donate to charity or sell at a reasonable price. Green movers in New York City will also use eco-friendly methods to transport your items, such as fuelling their vehicles with biodiesel. They will also try to minimize the number of trips you need to make, so there is less of a carbon footprint.
6. Check Recycling Services in Your Area
Recycling refers to the process by which items are changed from one form to another. While it does not completely eliminate waste, it prevents many items from going into landfills. If you do not have any recycling services in your area, you may be able to place your items with a company nearby. This will allow you to reduce the amount of waste that needs to be disposed off during the move.
Many recycling centers accept mixed materials for their program and will only charge for the materials that they actually take. This is a great way to reduce the amount of paper that goes into landfills, which means fewer CO2 emissions from burning paper.
7. Use Clothes When Wrapping Fragile Items
Photo by Ketut Subiyanto
When you wrap a fragile item in clothes, it will not be damaged as much. If you do not have any reusable boxes and need to wrap stuff, use some old clothes, towels, or bedding that are clean and sturdy to protect your items. This is a great way to avoid damaging your items. This will help you to save money that you could have used to buy packing peanuts and bubble wrap. These items end up in landfills if you cannot reuse them.
Another option is simply placing your fragile items in a garbage bag before packing them. The garbage bag will be able to cushion them, which will help to prevent damage. You can also hire a professional moving company whose workers wrap things carefully and will make sure that nothing is damaged during the move.
Conclusion
Whether you move by yourself or hire a company to do it, there are some things that you can do to reduce your impact on the environment. You should never throw items in a landfill without considering what they are made of, as this can be harmful to the environment. Whenever possible, you should use recycled materials or reusable ones that you can repurpose multiple times. Also, remember not to overstuff your boxes, as this can cause damage during the move and put even more waste into landfills.
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