Moving? How To Green An Otherwise Wasteful Process

Photo Credit: Flickr/Merci Victoria Grace

My sister moved this weekend and got the whole family involved in the process.  Not that I mind, I coordinate moves for a living so whenever someone moves, they call me.  In my years of experience with moving, I have come to realize that it is a very wasteful process.  You can end up spending hundreds of dollars in supplies for things that usually just end up in the recycling, or worse, the landfill.  But there are some things you can do to green your moving experience.

Boxes – Whenever possible, use recycled boxes.  I don’t mean boxes made from recycled content, I mean find someone who recently moved and use their boxes.  If you don’t personally know someone, check Craigslist to see if anyone has boxes available.  And when you are done, post your boxes up-for-grabs to give them another life.  If you cannot find used boxes and you are considering buying new materials, try out a plastic crate rental service, like Karmaboxx.  They deliver moving crates to your current location, you pack them and move them and they will pick up the empties from your new home in a few weeks.

Reusable bags – don’t move over a bag of empty shopping bags, fill them with awkward items that don’t fit well in boxes or items you need quick access to.  This will reduce the number of boxes (by a lot if you have as many reusable bags as I do) and they are easy to carry.  Use these for your flatware, cutting boards, bathroom items, and don’t forget your food!  You brought it all there in those bags after all.  Reusable bags are better transported in your car, not the Uhaul since they don’t stack well.  Be careful too; don’t put things in your bags that you wouldn’t want touching your food like shoes or chemicals.   You will leave residual germs in there that will get on whatever you put in the bag next.

Paper – you may not find a great replacement for wrapping paper.  We ended up using several rolls of paper for my sister’s move, which will end up in the recycling when we are done, if they aren’t picked up on Craigslist.  You can save the paper for other moves but it does take up a lot of space.  So again, you can see if anyone on Craigslist wants it but then all that paper will likely go to the recycler.  You can also use your own towels, linens, and clothes for wrapping many things so don’t forget to save those out.

The transition – what are you going to eat?  How will you survive between packing and unpacking? Well, you need to plan for that.  Don’t forget to keep out clothes you will need in the days before you get settled.  Also plan some meals that don’t involve cooking, or using many dishes.  And please, avoid the temptation to buy disposable dishes.  Just keep out enough regular dishes and utensils for your needs and put them in a reusable shopping bag on your way out the door.  Your stainless steel coffee mug and water bottle will be your friend through the process; they can get you through any drinking situation.  Don’t forget to save out a bag for your coffee pot, coffee, grinder and cream and sugar.  Put this bag in your car and move it straight to the kitchen.  Everyone will be really happy to have the coffee handy and not have to tear through boxes to find something.  Keeping these preplanning details in mind will save you money in unnecessary food and household purchases, and save your sanity in a crazy, hectic process.

Have any moving tips you would like to share?  Or, do you have a move coming up that you need help greening?  Let me know, leave a comment here or email me at Melissa@ecohomeconsults.com.  I’d love to help you keep your move green!