The 5 D’s to Sustainable Moving
Moving can be such an exciting time - new beginnings, new adventures, new spaces. But let’s be honest, it can also be stressful and difficult. This is especially true when you are concerned about the potential “carbon footprint” your moving might leave behind. Never fear though! I am here with the 5 D’s of sustainable moving to help make your transition easier.
Savvy Tip 1: Downsize
It’s amazing how much we can accumulate over the years. Even more amazing is how much of the “things” we have we don’t even use (or use rarely). So moving is the perfect opportunity to sort through belongings and “downsize”. For example, in my own recent personal experience, I moved from New York City to Playa del Carmen, MX. I lived in NYC for a decade and discovered I had SO many clothes, shoes, and general knick knacks that I forgot I even owned because they were hidden in the back of my closet, under my bed, etc. Since I had to condense my life of 10 years into 2 suitcases, I had no other choice but to downsize. You know what though? It felt good. So even if you don’t necessarily have to reduce what you own, the savvy thing would be to do so anyway. It also is a greener way to go as moving less means less resources (vehicle size, gas, etc.) required to make that transition.
Savvy Tip 2: Donate
This kind of goes hand-in-hand with the first tip. If you’re downsizing, you’re inherently going to need to get rid of the things you decide you no longer need or want. But instead of just tossing those items in the dumpster, donate them! Donating after all is the oldest form of recycling. You can also feel good about knowing that you are giving other people the opportunity to purchase items that they might not otherwise have the opportunity to at full retail price. The great thing too is that there are so many resources out there to make donations easier than ever. For example, I had enough textiles to donate that an organization was able to pick up what I had directly from my apartment so I did not have to take them in myself.
Another fun idea for this tip - you can hold a fun “garage sale” for family and friends to get first dibs on items they might want. Put out some snacks and beverages and make a day of it. Who said moving can’t also be a good time?
Savvy Tip 3: Do Your Research
This is important when selecting what types of materials to use (see below), but even more so when selecting what moving company to hire. Why? Because not all companies are created equal - some are specifically committed to eco-friendly practices. They will use a fleet that runs on biofuel instead of traditional gas, include reusable moving boxes in their fees, plans more efficient routes, and moves you in the least amount of trips possible. The good thing is that there are many resources out there for you to make the best decision possible when selecting a moving company.
Savvy Tip 4: Don’t Underestimate Supplies
Just like when trying to be more environmentally friendly in other aspects of life, materials also matter when moving. It can be easy to just think, “I can just recycle the cardboard boxes” and overlook the other things you are also using that aren’t as easily, if at all, recyclable. For example, have you thought about the kind of tape you are securing those boxes with? Or the type of padding you are using to protect fragile items? Is it plastic? Can you recycle it? Can it be repurposed after? All of these questions are important when selecting packing products. Here are some easy solutions:
Use items you already have that you will be packing anyway. Think towels, dish rags, etc. and storage containers, suitcases, etc. to wrap fragile items and use as moving boxes.
Select easily recyclable materials, like newspaper and cardboard, if the first option is not available.
Get used boxes instead of purchasing new ones. You can ask local grocery stores, paper stores, family and friends, and even your work office if you can have old cardboard boxes that would otherwise be discarded.
Savvy Tip 5: Drive Less
This one is a bit self explanatory but is still worth noting. The less amount of trips you take, the less fuel you will burn, the less greenhouse gasses you will emit into the environment. You can do this by planning ahead, packing efficiently, and saving the small stuff until the end.
I hope that this has helped you on your way to a greener moving strategy. Have any other tips and tricks you know from your own experience? Let us know in the comments below!\
Stay Savvy 📦🚚
