How to Make Your Move Green: Tips for a Sustainable Move
Reduce, reuse and recycle as you relocate to a new home
Boxes and packing tape and bubble wrap — oh my!
Moving often creates excess and waste, but it doesn’t have to. Read through our easy-to-follow tips and suggestions to achieve an eco-friendly move!
In This Article
Lighten Your Load
Why bother moving unwanted items? Before you begin the packing process, go through your home and decide what you no longer need. You can host a garage sale, sell your items online (Craigslist, eBay, etc.) or donate the items to charity — just downsize. Fewer belongings mean fewer boxes and packing materials, and you’ll be glad you have fewer items to unpack when you’re in your new home.
When disposing of items like household cleaning products, do some research about how to dispose of them in an environmentally friendly way. Most cleaning products and other household chemicals have instructions for safe disposal, so make sure that you read and follow these instructions.
Forget Brown and Go Green
Ditch the cardboard boxes and use reusable moving crates instead. You can rent these from several different companies across the country, including Big Green Moving Boxes and Rentacrate. If you can’t find a provider in your area, use items you already have, like laundry bins, baskets, tote bags and suitcases.
Recycle and Reuse
If you are using cardboard boxes to hold your belongings, be sure to recycle them after your move. You can use old newspapers or magazine pages instead of packing paper to cushion fragile items, and they can be recycled, too. Sheets, towels and throw pillows also make excellent packing materials.
Plus, ask your network to see if anyone has any moving supplies they’d like to offload!
Pack it Up
If you run out of towels and sheets, try a paper bubble wrap over the plastic stuff. Several brands make a corrugated paper wrap that will protect your belongings during a move. If you must use plastic bubble wrap, U-Haul has an option made from recycled polyethylene and is 100% recyclable.
And, if you have to use packing peanuts, avoid styrofoam and seek out the biodegradable kind, which can be found at stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s.
Do Some Research
Some moving companies offer eco-friendly options to minimize environmental impact when making a move. Ask movers about their practices and do a little research on sustainable movers in your area.
If you are renting a moving truck or van, most companies will provide information about emissions ratings, and some companies offer electric cargo vans. Of course, renting an EV van will be a bit more limited, so it’s better suited for a smaller or in-town move.
Map It
Figure out the most direct route to your new destination so that you don’t waste gas and continue to emit carbon dioxide and other gases while covering unnecessary ground. This will also help you save money — win-win!
Make Your New Home Green
As soon as you enter your new space, set yourself up for sustainability success. There are several ways that homeowners can make their homes more environmentally friendly, including:
- Install LED or energy-efficient light bulbs
- Turn off the lights when you leave a room
- Unplug appliances
- Seal any air cracks to make sure you aren’t losing heat
- Track energy usage with a smart meter
- Fix any leaky faucets to avoid unnecessary water usage
- Eliminate single-use plastics, especially in the kitchen
Using environmentally friendly practices like these will not only cut down the cost of some of your bills but is an easy way to be kinder to the environment.
Buy Second-Hand
Need to furnish your new place? Instead of buying new furniture, check out second-hand stores. Purchasing used items means less packaging, less waste and less pollution created, and you’ll probably save money in the process.