Donate unwanted items

Donating gives you an easy start to an eco-friendly move. You’ll reduce the waste you have to get rid of, plus it will benefit other people. Taking your gently used items to a thrift store means your items can find a new home, and you can get a receipt to help save you some money during tax season.

Another option is to ask friends or family if you can donate your unwanted belongings to them. You’ll be helping loved ones, and if they come pick the donations up, you won’t have to transport anything.

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Borrow

Moving can be expensive, but you can save when it comes to your moving supplies. You’ll likely need several dozen boxes, even with a smaller home. Do both your wallet and the environment a favor by collecting used boxes.

How does it help the environment, you ask? When cardboard is manufactured, it releases pollution into the air in the form of fumes, gases, dust and smoke. Avoid this by going to your local grocery store and finding sturdy boxes of all shapes and sizes. If you ask the employees, they will most likely give them to you for free.

If you need additional boxes or other supplies like dollies or hand trucks, talk to your friends, family or neighbors who recently moved. Social media is also very helpful. You can often find moving supplies on Craigslist or by posting an inquiry on your Facebook page.
 

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Skip the plastic

The main goal in moving is to get to your new place with your belongings in good condition. That means you’ll look to products like bubble wrap and other plastic wrap to keep them safe. We have a better solution that the environment agrees with.

If you don’t own moving blankets, you can repurpose your own blankets, sheets or towels to wrap your furniture. This will prevent the furniture from getting damaged or scratching the walls while moving it. You can also use your blankets, sheets and towels to wrap breakables, or stuff them in half-filled boxes for safer transport.
 

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Rent plastic moving boxes

Plastic moving boxes are an eco-friendly way to move. They can be used hundreds of times before wearing out, lessening the need to produce more plastic. Plus, they’re extremely durable and stackable. Check out the following companies that have good options to pack your home.

BungoBox

BungoBox makes using their moving boxes easy. First, if you don’t want to pick their plastic boxes up, they can deliver them, saving you a lot of time and effort. These preassembled, strong and durable boxes have easy-grip handles, and you can stack them. And the best part is they’re environmentally friendly, as they’re used over 400 times before being recycled.

Click here to see the different sizes of boxes, wrap options, ties and other moving supplies they have to offer.

Rent a Green Box

If you’re looking for a zero-waste moving option, check out Rent a Green Box. They deliver sustainable moving supplies right to your door, making your move less stressful. From eco-friendly mattress bags to plantable moving labels and their famous reusable green Recopacks, they can help you cut your costs down considerably.

Order your supplies for small or large, residential or commercial moves here.

U-Haul Ready-To-Go Box

U-Haul also has a way to make moving more eco-friendly by renting out reusable plastic boxes. The main difference between this rental service and the other ones on our list is that you pick them up and drop them off from your local U-Haul location. They also don’t require a specific rental time or quantity of boxes, which is a big perk.

Decide the quantity you need, where to find your local pick-up location, and how to order here.
 

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Recycle old batteries and electronics

Looking to discard batteries before moving? Recycling them is very important when trying to be kind to the environment because batteries will contaminate soil and pollute water. Battery recycling is encouraged by many governments, and some have made it illegal to discard batteries in the trash.

Both single use and rechargeable batteries can be taken either to a local store or recycling facility. Find a facility locator here. They can also be sent through a mail-in program. Simply tape or bag the tops of the non-alkaline batteries so they don’t leak and bring them to a local office or retailer with a mail-in option.

Recycling your unwanted electronics is the best way to dispose of them properly. If you’re not selling them, there are several options for you. You can call your local service department and ask if there are any e-waste collection events being held in your city. You can also see which of your local retailers have recycling programs or Call2Recycle boxes for cellphones and rechargeable batteries.

If you are getting rid of old electronics because you’re upgrading to newer models, you can contact the manufacturer or retailer and ask if they have discounts or trade-in options. Amazon gives customers gift cards when they mail in certain electronics, and Apple issues credits for used products that are in good condition.
 

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Use eco-friendly cleaning products

Ever feel sick after cleaning? Many products that aren’t eco-friendly contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that affect your health. Eco-friendly products, on the other hand, contain little to no VOCs. When looking for your products, finding ones free of ammonia and chlorine is also important for the health of your family – including your pets.

Cleaning products that are not environmentally friendly contain toxic chemicals that are often flushed down the drains. They then enter waterways and affect marine life. Switch to eco-friendly products to help protect your belongings, family and the environment.
 

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Pay it forward

After you’ve gone through all the hard work of moving green, keep going! Now it’s time to discard your packing materials in environmentally friendly ways. First, decide if you want to sell or give them away.

If you’re selling, look to Craigslist or post your items on another social media site. If you’d like to just give your unwanted items away, decide whether you want to donate or recycle. Either way, you’ll be clearing your house of your packing materials while helping people in your community and beyond – and helping the environment at the same time.
 

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