How to Have an Ecofriendly DIY Move
Moving can be stressful. What’s more, it can be wasteful! According to February 2023 statistics, the moving industry creates about 8.4 million tons of waste every year. Cardboard boxes, packing tape, and unrecycled packing paper all add unnecessary trash to the world’s landfills.
Fortunately, there are ways to have an ecofriendly move. It just takes a little planning and research!
Use ecofriendly moving and packing materials
The first step in planning an ecofriendly move is to find the right moving and packing supplies. Here are a few examples to get you started:
- Use what you already own! Suitcases and duffle bags are perfect for packing and transporting your clothing and linens. You can even wrap some delicate items inside towels or sweatshirts to protect them from damage. Then, pull those storage bins out of your basement or storage unit and use those as moving boxes!
- Find some gently used packing materials in your area. Maybe a friend, family member, or neighbor recently moved and would like to give away their supplies once they’re unpacked. Also, platforms like Facebook and Craigslist can be a goldmine for free boxes and wrapping material.
- Rent or buy ecofriendly packing and moving materials. Some companies provide zero-waste supplies like sturdy
plastic moving bins and recyclable packing paper. They’ll even deliver them to your home and pick them up from your new place after you’ve emptied them!
You’ll need to do a little research to find ecofriendly moving supplies so that you find them in plenty of time to pack before your move. However, a little work and planning now can help save the Earth in the long run!
Reduce your fuel emissions when transporting your belongings
Another great way to have an ecofriendly DIY move is to keep your fuel emissions low. Most vehicles — including moving trucks and your personal car — emit harmful fumes that can be dangerous to the environment. In fact, the Congressional Budget Office’s December 2023 report notes that 83% of carbon dioxide emissions were caused by motor vehicles in 2019.
So, how do you complete your move without using a vehicle?
Well, you can’t entirely avoid using a vehicle to transport your belongings to your new home. However, you can carefully plan your DIY move to reduce the emissions that your vehicle causes. For example, learn how to pack your car efficiently so that you make as few trips as possible. This is especially effective if you have a hybrid or electric vehicle!
Additionally, if you’re moving within a large city, take a look at local traffic patterns. Determine the shortest route from your old home to your new one and try to identify the day and time with the least amount of traffic. This will increase your moving efficiency and help reduce your emissions.
When you start with these tips, you’ll set yourself up for a smooth, efficient, and ecofriendly DIY move!
Author Bio
Britt Spread is a Chicago-based writer who loves creating articles that help people find and move into great homes while helping the environment in the process. She believes that together we can make the world a better place, and it starts with written communication.
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