When you move, you generate a lot of waste. Rather than waste a lot of money and fill up landfills with completely new materials that you’ll only use for a few months, try reusing things from your house that you don’t mind leaving behind.
By reusing items where you can, you’re helping reduce your environmental impact by cutting down on the amount of new materials you’ll be using during the move and reducing waste in general. Reusing materials can also save you quite a bit of money compared to using new materials.
Here are some tips on being less wasteful when you move:
Do a Purge
Before you move, sort through your possessions. Packing the items you truly need for your new place will save you time and energy when you’re moving and will reduce the amount of trash you create from all that packing tape.
This is a great time to get rid of clothing, food products, and household goods you no longer use. You can also sell damaged or unwanted items at a garage sale. If you can wait, don’t buy anything new before you move.
Find Used Boxes
Grocery stores, warehouse clubs, drug stores, and other places with an array of items often have boxes for a variety of different purposes. Even if you can’t get free boxes from them, or if you have to buy new ones, purchase recycled box materials to make the most eco-friendly choice.
Reuse Baskets or Boxes
In today’s fast-paced world, more and more people are shopping online for the latest fashions, books, home decor, and more. After you decide to move, collect cardboard boxes from around your house that you can use to pack things. That includes large boxes from Amazon, appliance stores, and pet supply companies. You can even reuse shoeboxes!
Depending on the size of your move, you may be able to use storage bins, laundry baskets, or suitcases to transport items. If you are reusing these containers instead of buying new ones, your move will generate less waste.
Use Existing Materials as You Pack
When moving into a new apartment, don’t rely on packing peanuts or other biodegradable products to cushion your belongings. Instead, think outside of the box and use things you have around the house—like old newspapers, clothes or blankets, plastic bags, and even old cleaning rags—to protect your belongings during the move.
Use Less Packing Tape by Folding Boxes
In order to limit packing tape’s use, cardboard boxes can get folded at the top. This is helpful since packing tape is not recyclable since it’s made of plastic. By folding over the top of your boxes, you can reduce waste, save money, and protect the environment. If packing tape is necessary, make a conscious effort to use paper tape.
Conclusion
Moving is a stressful endeavor not just for the people involved but for the environment as well. In order for things to go smoothly, a good rule of thumb is to be less wasteful. This can be done with less packing tape by folding boxes and doing a purge. Of course, working with professional junk removal services can also make your move easier and more convenient.
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