While you may eagerly be looking forward to many of the benefits of relocating to a new home, you may also be concerned about how relocation affects the environment. Relocating to a new home is a major endeavor that can generate a huge amount of waste. Simply think about times when you have moved in the past. You likely had huge piles of waste for curbside pickup services to remove, or you may have hauled at least a few loads of junk a dumpster. While you may still need to throw some things away while relocating, you may be surprised by how significantly this waste can be reduced when you follow a few helpful tips for a greener move.
1. Donate to Charity
One of the primary causes of waste related to a move is the elimination of clutter and junk around the house. To avoid being a packrat and toting unneeded or unwanted items to your new home, you may toss numerous items out. However, any items that are still in good or even decent shape may be donated to charity rather than tossed in the trash. Many charitable organizations that accept these types of donations may even travel to your home to provide a pickup service. This makes it very convenient to donate unwanted items.
2. Use Linens Wisely
Your linens need to make their way to your new home, and you may initially be inclined to pack towels, sheets and more in boxes. A smarter idea, however, is to use these household items protective materials for your picture frames, vases and kitchen dishes. When you run out of linens, you may even use some of your old t-shirts and other apparel for this same purpose. By doing so, you can minimize or even avoid the use of packing paper and bubble wrap.
3. Recycle Boxes
Any local or interstate moving companies will tell you, moving boxes are a necessity when you are relocating. Many people will purchase new boxes, and they will toss their boxes out after the move. Relocating rarely results in severely damaged boxes, so you may be able to pick up quality used boxes from someone else in the community who has recently moved in. In addition, you may be able to donate your boxes to other people after you get settled into your new home.
4. Think Beyond Boxes
Keep in mind that boxes are not the only moving containers that you can use. If you intend to keep items in storage most of the year, such as is the case with holiday décor, invest in durable storage bins rather than boxes. You can also use empty containers around the house to pack things. These containers may include laundry bins and baskets, gym bags, suitcases and more. This can dramatically reduce the number of boxes that are needed.
5. Pack Your Kitchen Last
Many people will pack their kitchen weeks before the move. By doing so, they create a situation where disposable plates and utensils are needed. They may also rely on fast food or microwavable food. All of these activities can result in unnecessary waste. A smart idea is to wait until the last minute to pack your kitchen and keep essentials out until the last day.
Relocating will inevitably generate some waste. However, you can see that you can dramatically reduce waste during a relocation when you follow these helpful tips. Many of these tips can also help you to save money as well.