Tips for Sustainable Moving - Packaging HERO

Whether you’re moving offices or apartments, the process as a whole result in significant waste and increases your carbon footprint. You purchase additional cardboard boxes, you cover dishes in bubble wrap, you use petroleum-based cleaning products to scrub your space down, and you make multiple trips. As well, you dump rather than repurpose some of your existing belongings.

As you plan out this change, take a more sustainable approach to moving with the following tips:

Make a Plan

Never move at the last minute. Planning ahead helps you identify ways you might be generating excess waste, gives you time to look for more sustainable alternatives and allows you to research solutions for giving away or repurposing certain times.

Give Away What You Don’t Use or Can’t Bring

Avoid simply throwing items into the dumpster. Instead, look for opportunities to recycle, donate or give away what you can’t or don’t intend to bring. Possibilities include:

·         Donating your furniture to local organizations, giving it away to friends or family, or putting a listing on a local marketplace.

·         If you have older or damaged electronics sitting around your home or office, search for e-waste recycling in your region.

·         Consider items that can be repurposed for parts or reused in some capacity — for instance, older clothes offer a more sustainable alternative than bubble wrap for protecting dishes and other fragile items or can be used as cleaning rags.

Look for Sustainable Moving Supplies

We tend to stuff our belongings into boxes and bags as we anticipate a move. This can entail purchasing new cardboard boxes — a process that results in trees being cut down — and using plastic or Styrofoam to cushion certain items.

Instead of these common practices, consider the following more sustainable moving supplies and approaches:

·         Ask friends, family and local businesses for any spare boxes they have lying around. This helps avoid needing to purchase more cardboard.

·         Repurpose old clothing, towels and blankets to cushion dishes and other fragile items, rather than use bubble wrap or Styrofoam packing peanuts, which don’t break down.

·         Get creative with packing. Boxes aren’t always needed — instead, repurpose totes, Tupperware and other storage containers to hold onto, protect or sort items you intend to bring.

·         Look for more sustainable moving boxes if you find you don’t have sufficient supplies. These will be made from recycled, post-consumer waste rather than virgin materials and close without needing tape. Also consider biodegradable fill or recycled packaging materials, be it paper or foam.

Reduce the Number of Trips

Whether you’re driving or having a moving company assist you, limit the number of trips you’re taking from your old to your new location. This helps reduce fuel used and subsequently emissions generated.

Make a Sustainable Disposal Plan

As the final step to more sustainable moving, think about how you’ll dispose of all supplies:

·         For cleaning your old apartment or office, opt for biodegradable or sustainable products rather than traditional petroleum options. Should you have used petroleum-based cleaning products, drop these off at a dedicated hazardous materials disposal site.

·         Rather than throw away boxes, keep them in storage for any subsequent moves or for organizational purposes. Or, put these up on a local marketplace for others needing moving boxes.

Looking to make your move more sustainable? Find recycled or biodegradable products through Packaging HERO® and consider a customized consultation with our team. Sign up today to get started or contact us for more information.