Eco Friendly Packing Tips

Get a Green Start in Your New Home
Moving is hard work. It is also hard on the planet. All that trash, all the packaging. What can you do to reduce the impact of your relocation?

Use Eco Friendly Recycled Boxes

• Check with local retailers, including grocery stores, wine stores, and big-box stores like Wal-Mart and Target.
• If you don’t mind picking up a few boxes at a time, check with smaller retailers and restaurants.
• Post a “Wanted: Boxes” request on Freecycle to see if free boxes are available from someone in your area.
• Try UsedCardboardBoxes.com to purchase quality used cardboard boxes.
• Check craigslist for free or cheap moving boxes.

Make sure you pass the boxes along to someone else who can use them!

If you prefer, reusable moving boxes are available to rent in some areas from ZippGo and RentAGreenBox.

Choose Packing Materials Carefully

• Reduce the amount of disposable packing materials you use. Try wrapping breakable kitchen items in cloth napkins, washcloths and hand towels, which you’ll be packing anyway. You can also use sheets, T-shirts, and pillows to protect breakable items.
• If you need disposable packing materials, try newspaper and grocery bags you’ve saved (which you can later recycle) or re-use bubble wrap or packing peanuts from a local retailer.
• You can recycle packing peanuts after your move. Visit http://www.loosefillpackaging.com to find drop-off locations.

Consider Eco Friendly Travel Logistics

• Fewer trips in fewer vehicles means less pollution. Hire a mover or rent a moving truck to reduce the CO2 impact of your move.
• Planet Green — Move Across the Country the Eco-Friendly Way
• International Association of Certified Home Inspectors — Eco-friendly Relocation

Keep Trash Out of the Landfill

• Start sorting and packing early so that you have time to donate or  recycle anything that you are not moving.
• Donate items to local churches, charities, soup kitchens or food banks, shelters, or daycare centers.
• If you don’t have time to drop off items to donate, call a local charity to see if they will pick it up, place it near the curb with a  “free” sign, or list it on Freecycle.
• Sell items on craigslist or eBay; hold a garage sale.
• Dispose of hazardous substances responsibly.  Check Earth 911 for places to dispose of items like paint, electronics, batteries, cleaning supplies, and light bulbs.

Allconnect can assist with your move by offering free mover quotes, an online change of address form, and help transfer your essential home services. You can also compare services available at your new address to make sure you are getting the best deal.  See tips to help you during your move.