Going green during your moving process might be easier than you think. From how you pack up your belongings to how you dispose of boxes and packing materials when you’re done, there are countless pro-environment moving solutions. If you have questions, the team at Chase Moving and Storage is here to help! In the meantime, here are our top tips for an eco-friendly move.
Pack Smart to Pack Green
Picking the right packing materials is a great way to start an earth-friendly move. You can keep your belongings safe and go green at the same time!
- Avoid single-use materials when possible. Instead of cardboard boxes, see if you have any large, reusable containers (like large plastic bins) to pack your things in. You can also purchase these containers (used or new) and use them for storage in your new place. If you need boxes, see if you can find used boxes to give them a second life rather than buying all new ones.
- Pick eco-friendly cushioning. It’s important to protect delicate items when you pack them, but that doesn’t mean you have to use styrofoam packing peanuts or plastic bubble wrap that isn’t biodegradable. For starters, you can use your own dish towels, bedding, or other soft goods to wrap up and cushion your breakables. You can also choose paper bubble wrap (yes, there is such a thing!) or crumpled-up packing paper that you can later recycle.
Pick an Eco-Friendly Moving Company
Many moving companies are aware of their environmental impact and have taken steps to reduce their carbon footprint. From mitigating truck emissions to recycling packing materials, moving companies have lots of options to go green and provide great service.
As a way to help the environment and streamline the moving process, many companies offer standard-size plastic bins to rent for your move. This reduces the use of cardboard, protects your belongings, and helps your movers pack the truck more securely and efficiently. It’s a win for you, the company, and the earth.
As you shop around for a moving company, ask about their sustainability practices. If you care about going green, your movers should too.
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
There’s a reason the three Rs have been a mantra for so many years—reducing, reusing, and recycling are the keys to green living. They’re also the keys to green moving.
Before you move, go through your belongings and discard what you don’t need. There’s no sense taking things to your new home if you don’t actually want them. This will reduce the amount of stuff you move, the number of containers you need, and the energy, fuel, and materials you use. Also, make sure to donate or recycle as many things as you can rather than sending them to a landfill.
Once your move is complete, don’t just toss your packing materials in the trash. If boxes, cushioning, and other materials are still in good shape, store them for later use. You can break boxes down so they take up less space and you can save bubble wrap and more for storing, sending, or moving delicate items in the future.
If the materials you used are not in good condition or if you don’t have adequate space to store them, dispose of what you don’t need responsibly. Recycle cardboard and other paper goods. You may even be able to recycle plastic bubble wrap if your local area has plastic bag recycling. You can also ask around (or post on social media) to see if anyone else needs moving supplies. Odds are there’s someone out there who could use what you don’t need anymore.
If you need help making your move green, call the team at Chase Moving and Storage today. We’ve been providing professional, reliable, and trustworthy moving services in Burlington and the region for over 100 years. We’ll be happy to answer any questions and help guide your moving process so that it can be smooth and eco-friendly all at the same time. Chase Moving and Storage—THE MOST TRUSTED MOVERS SINCE 1908!
