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A Green Move: Where To Dispose Of Your Old Stuff And Other Eco-Friendly Moving Tips

Are you making a move? Great! However, as you declutter your home in preparation for the big day, you may feel guilty about everything you’re getting rid of. After all, nearly 10% of Americans move yearly, meaning a lot of waste is generated. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the average household generates about 4,500 pounds of trash each year—and a sizeable chunk of that comes from packing up and moving to a new home.

If you’re planning a move and want to do your part to reduce your carbon footprint, you can do a few things to make it a green move. Here are some eco-friendly tips for reducing waste during your next relocation:

Be Selective of Your Packing Materials

Moving can be stressful and costly, but there are ways to save time and money. One way to do this is to choose recycled packing materials instead of buying new ones. Newspapers and bubble wrap are excellent options and can usually be found for free by local businesses or friends and family who have recently moved.

Not only will this help reduce waste, but it will also save you some money! Additionally, you can use your clothing, towels, and bedding to wrap fragile items, not paper at all, and pack your clothes and other goodies. So, next time you’re packing for a move, consider using recycled materials. You’ll be glad you did!

Reduce and Reuse

Reuse boxes and storage containers. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure—or in this case, one woman’s packing box is another woman’s storage container. Before hitting up your local liquor store for empty cardboard boxes, check Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist for people who have recently moved and are looking to get rid of their used boxes.

You can also try searching “free moving boxes” on Nextdoor.com or Freecycle. People are often happy to give away their used boxes if they don’t have to pay to have them hauled off. And if you don’t need them immediately, consider posting an offer to pick them up after someone else’s move is complete. Win-win!

Pass it On

When most people think about donating, they picture giving money to a charity or dropping old clothes in a bin at their local thrift store. However, many other ways to donate can be just as impactful.

For example, donating gently used items is a great way to declutter your home and help others in need. All too often, perfectly good things are thrown away simply because they are no longer needed or wanted. But unless an item is ruined beyond repair, someone else could put it to good use.

Furniture, clothing, toys, and household goods can all be donated to organizations that ensure they go to those who need them most. And in many cases, these organizations will even pick up the items for free. So next time you’re cleaning out your closet or getting rid of an old piece of furniture, take a moment to consider donating it instead of throwing it away. It just might make a world of difference for someone in need.

Recycle, Upcycle, and Rethink

Most people are familiar with the basics of recycling–paper, plastic, glass, and aluminum cans. But what about all of the other items that we use daily? Electronics, appliances, light bulbs, and batteries can’t just be thrown in the recycle bin. And while many municipalities offer curbside recycling pickup, not all items are accepted. So what’s a person to do?

First, check with your local solid waste department to see the available options. Many communities have recycling centers where you can drop off items like electronics, appliances, light bulbs, and batteries. And if all else fails, remember that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure—so put it on the curb with a FREE sign and see what happens! You might be surprised at how quickly someone takes it off your hands.

Make the Most of Every Trip

There are a few things to remember when renting a truck or hiring a mover.

  • First, try to get the closest truck you can fit everything into. The fewer trips you need to make, the less fuel you burn.
  • Second, if you’ve got more than one car, hiring a company to transport your extra vehicles may be best instead of driving back and forth with another driver.
  • Finally, consider the fuel cost when considering renting a truck or hiring a mover.

You can save time, money, and hassle by being mindful of these things. You can start your research for this process by looking at Easy Auto Ship reviews and local moving companies.

Green Doesn’t Mean Hard to Do

There are many benefits to making your next move an eco-friendly one. Not only will you be helping the environment, but you’ll also save money and reduce stress. Here are some tips to get you started:

• Use recycled materials: Boxes, packing peanuts, and bubble wrap can all be reused from previous moves or sourced from local businesses.

• Reuse storage containers: Storage bins, suitcases, and even laundry baskets can be used to pack and transport your belongings.

• Donate gently used items: Clothing, furniture, and household goods that you no longer need can be donated to local charities or thrift stores.

• Recycle everything else: From cardboard to Styrofoam, many recycling options are available for your leftover packing materials.

By following these tips, you’ll be able to make your next move green—and save money in the process!