Did you know that your upcoming move doesn’t have to leave a massive carbon footprint on the environment? With a little bit of effort and planning, it’s possible to enjoy an environmentally friendly move.
Use Containers You Already Have
Take a look around your house. The odds are pretty good you already have lots of things you can use as containers. Don’t assume this simply means totes, bags, and boxes. There are lots of things you can turn into a shipping container. Look for old shopping bags, buckets that are in your garage, empty dog food bags, Tupperware containers, benches. Once you start thinking outside of the box, you’ll be surprised by how many of your items can be transported inside of things you have already incorporated into your daily life.
One piece of helpful advice, if you know you’re planning on moving soon, keep the packaging of any items you buy in the months leading up to your move. It can be repurposed for your eco-friendly move.
Don’t Buy New Boxes
As tempting as it is to buy new boxes for your move, it’s not the best thing for the environment. Instead, go to the grocery store and you’ll find a slew of gently used, heavy-duty boxes that are perfect for your move. If you call ahead, they’ll probably even agree to set the boxes aside for you.
Once you’ve settled into your new location, check around and see if there is anyone out there that needs your boxes. The more use a box gets, the smaller the carbon footprint becomes. If no one needs your boxes, take them to a local recycling center rather than simply throwing them away.
Plan Your Route
Take some time and carefully plan a route that uses the least amount of energy. Each mile you’re able to shave off the drive is a good thing. You should also look for a route that is as flat as possible. Each gallon of fuel you save is good for both your wallet and the environment.
Think Before you Move-In
The final step for an eco-friendly move is figuring out the most environmentally friendly way to move your items into the house. Pick a time of the day when you don’t need to run the heater or air conditioner. Have someone positioned at the door who can open and close it rather than leaving it open the entire time. Set the boxes down as quickly as possible rather than moving them into different rooms.
What are your tried and true tips for an environmentally friendly moving day?