Green Moving: What are Some Ways to Have a Green Moving Experience?

These days, being eco-friendly is the way to go. Everything has 'gone green' – from the way we eat, the way we dress and even the way we construct buildings. So, why shouldn't moving be the same? Moving can also be eco-friendly, if done right. Here are some ideas to make your move better for the environment.

1) Use eco-friendly packaging. This is one of the biggest things you can do and can make the most impact. Use your blankets to wrap your breakables, or go with a company that uses environmentally friendly materials. You can also use old newspapers, which you can start saving weeks before you move.

2)  Reuse. Reuse old boxes, especially for things which aren’t very valuable or fragile (like your clothes or books) or just rent some reusable packing crates instead of buying boxes.

3) Biodiesel trucks. Some moving companies use biodiesel trucks, to lower their carbon footprint and impact on climate change. If you can’t avoid using diesel trucks or don’t have such services in your area, you can purchase carbon credits, to offset your move. Carbonfund.org, for example, uses the money to fund renewable energy and reforestation projects.

4) Eco-friendly cleaning supplies. When you clean up before and after your move, be sure to use only environmentally-friendly cleaning supplies, free of chemicals that can be washed away as urban runoff and pollute the groundwater. Better yet, just use natural cleaning supplies around your home – like vinegar and lemon juice.

5) Move only what you need. Moving more things means using more packaging, packing materials, and more fuel for on the trucks. Have a garage sale and get rid of your excess belongings. Think before you pack – do you really need everything you have right now? Maybe you can do without some things, and save yourself the trouble of moving it, as well as saving the environment.

6) Get rid of junk mail. Use moving as an opportunity to rid yourself of junk mail once and for all. Go through the stacks of envelopes you get each month and just opt-out. Better yet, put yourself on the permanent change of address list on the post office. This list gets forwarded to marketers who will stop sending those annoying catalogues and offers to you.

7) Consider buying what you need at your new destination. Moving items at your destination costs money and burns a lot of fuel. Take this opportunity to replace your old appliances, especially if they older than 10 years. Most appliances made before the last decade are more likely to consume more energy. Purchase new, energy-saving equipment at  your destination and you’ll not only save on moving costs, but in electricity costs in the long run.

Moving may be necessary, but that doesn't mean you have to harm the environment while doing it. With these eco-friendly tips, you can reduce your carbon footprint and just make it a little bit better for the rest of us.