How To Have An Eco-Friendly Move

How To Have An Eco-Friendly Move

As more and more people are becoming aware of, and making choices to be environmentally friendly, so is the moving industry. If you are moving and need to pack up your home, there are many ways in which you can have an eco-friendly move. And now that “natural, eco-friendly” products are universal and commonly accepted, it is far easier to find greener options when planning and preparing.

Moving, whether it is locally or long distance generally requires the use of a lot of fuel, materials and manpower. How you plan and execute your move can be part of a bigger impact we take to move forward with eco-friendly moving.

Preparations

When planning your eco-friendly move, think about the effect that your choices may have on the environment.

Decluttering – While in the process of cleaning out any belongings and unwanted pieces of furniture, consider selling them or donating to friends, family or charities. This way they can be reused and will lessen the load on our landfills.

Packing – Even before you are ready to pack, start inquiring into your options on packing any items that will need to be boxed. There are many eco-friendly ways it can be done, without having to purchase new materials.

• Cardboard moving boxes can be used up to 7 times if in good condition. If any family or friends have recently moved, ask if they have any boxes/materials you can have. You may find free or low cost supplies on websites such as CraigsList.org and can buy pre-used boxes from UsedCardboardBoxes.com
• To fill empty spaces or to cushion any items, you can use things that you already have: towels, blankets, pillows, even clothing. This will also lighten your load, which means you will need fewer boxes and packing materials. Old magazines and newspapers can also be used. Like with boxes, you can check with family and friends, or on websites for any used packing materials that are free or can be purchased.
• There are a growing number of companies that offer recycled plastic bins to rent. This is a great way to minimize waste and save time, as most companies will deliver and pick up. If you know you will be unpacking shortly after arrival, it can also be cost effective. If you need time to unpack, additional rental fees are usually charged at a weekly rate.

Tape is the only packing material that may need to be purchased, unless you can find someone who purchased too much for a previous move, and will give or sell to you. Use the tape conservatively.

Transportation

In order to have an eco-friendly move, the method of transportation you choose is crucial. Vehicles are huge pollutants and how you transport your belongings will greatly affect your environmental footprint.

DIY moving – If you will be driving yourself in a car or truck, plan a direct route mapping the most direct road to your new destination. In additional to paying less for mileage, you will also be emitting less CO2 gas into the environment. Reducing your speed by a few miles per hour save’s energy. Many truck rental companies offer trucks that use cleaner biodiesel fuel.

Hiring a moving company – Many moving companies are in fact already practicing a zero emissions approach to transport goods. They are using lower-emissions trucks, biodiesel fuel and LED cargo areas.

If considering using a moving company, don’t hesitate to ask questions until you feel confident that your items will be in the hands of an eco-friendly company. Some questions you may want to ask:

• Will the truck route be direct?
• Do you use low-emissions trucks and biodiesel fuel?
• If you subcontract to other companies, are those companies using eco-friendly methods and products?

Whether you move yourself or hire an eco-friendly moving company, the less amount of stuff you take with you, the smaller the amount of space you will need. If renting a truck, you’ll be able to use a smaller vehicle, which means less fuel. If a moving company will be transporting your items, they will be compartmentalized with other mover’s items, (also known as consolidated shipping) and will lower the carbon footprint of your move.

Maybe you already live a sustainable lifestyle, if not, this could be the first step towards a more eco-friendly and greener world!