Moving is an exciting experience. You’re starting a new chapter, but you’ll need to deal with the stress that comes with the transition. The process can also have an impact on the environment, from waste disposal after decluttering to the use of carbon-emitting vehicles.
Luckily, a green move can be easier than you think. Consider these eco-friendly moving hacks.
1. Declutter with Purpose
Moving fewer items means a lighter load for the moving truck, which translates to better fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions. Moreover, only moving the items you truly need and love helps you create a more organized and intentional living space from day one.
Start packing four to six weeks before the big day. Tackle one area at a time, like a closet or kitchen pantry, to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Consider using the four-box method to declutter. It involves having designated boxes for the following purposes:
- Keep: For items that are essential to daily life or have significant sentimental value
- Donate or sell: For clothes you haven’t worn in a year, duplicate items, books you’ve already read and furniture that won’t fit your new home
- Recycle: For old magazines, junk mail and unused electronics
- Trash: For things that are expired, broken beyond repair, or cannot be recycled or donated
America generates over 12% of the world’s trash despite accounting for only 4% of the planet’s population. Donating keeps usable items out of landfills and gives back to the community. Consider reaching out to charitable organizations that offer free donation pickups or stopping by a local donation drive to give your unused belongings a new home.
2. Reinvent Your Packing Methods
Cardboard boxes are a significant part of the material consumption of moving, often contributing to the cycle of use and disposal. However, they’re biodegradable, unlike plastic tape and bubble wrap, which take hundreds of years to break down in landfills.
If you want to save money, some retail shops and grocery stores give away extra boxes. It’s a great way to get moving supplies for free without increasing waste. When possible, avoid using single-use packing materials. Rent reusable plastic bins for sturdy, weather-resistant and stackable storage that doesn’t require tape.
Instead of using bubble wrap for padding, protect fragile items with soft materials, such as towels, blankets and sheets. This saves money and has the benefit of packing your soft items while protecting fragile ones. Use socks to cover glasses, wrap glass frames in sweaters, and use pillows and stuffed toys as filler for boxes.
3. Offset Your Move’s Carbon Footprint
Transportation accounts for around 28% of the greenhouse gases in the U.S. Moving vehicles, which carry heavy loads, consume a lot of fuel and release toxic emissions.
While you may not be able to avoid all emissions during the move itself, you can offset the substantial emissions afterward. Plant trees or incorporate green habits into your new home. Invest in energy-efficient technologies, hang your clothes outside to dry instead of using a dryer, compost food scraps and conserve water.
4. Hire a Certified Green Moving Company
When searching for a moving company, look beyond marketing claims and ask for details. Truly green movers are transparent about their practices. Here are signs of a company with sustainable practices:
- Fuel efficiency: The trucks run on cleaner-burning biodiesel or have been retrofitted for better mileage.
- Sustainable packing materials: The crew uses reusable plastic bins as a standard option and may also offer box buy-back programs.
- Waste reduction practices: The company has recycling programs for any materials it uses.
Heavy-duty trucks, including tractor-trailers and box trucks, are among the fastest-growing contributors of greenhouse gas emissions in America. Look for movers with an EPA SmartWay certification, which indicates a commitment to efficient and clean transportation.
5. Plan for a Green Clean
Moving often requires cleaning your old space and freshening up your new one. Air fresheners, multipurpose cleaners and other cleaning products can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A study that evaluated 30 conventional and “green” cleaning products detected 530 unique VOCs, 193 of which were hazardous. Besides affecting indoor air quality, these chemicals can seep into waterways and contaminate them.
Opt for sustainable cleaning solutions. For example, mix equal parts white vinegar and water to create a safe and powerful all-purpose cleaner. You can also use store-bought cleaners as long as they carry the EPA’s Safer Choice label.
Ensuring a Green Move
Make your move more sustainable with deliberate choices at every stage, from mindful decluttering to offsetting your increased carbon emissions. All of these efforts have a real and positive impact on the environment. Once everything arrives at your new place, reset habits and build a more sustainable lifestyle from the ground up to embrace green living.
