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Good Instructions: How to Move Houses With Less Waste
Moving into a new home can put undue stress on both you and the environment, and since I'm moving this week, I've been researching ways to move with as little an environmental impact as possible.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, one in six Americans moves each year, which is roughly 5.1 million people. The average eight-room house requires more than 100 boxes to move. Then you need tape, markers, labels, bubble wrap, styrofoam peanuts, paper, dollies, a truck (or several), the gas to fill them, and a bunch of manpower. This adds up financially and environmentally. So whether you are just moving a few blocks away or hauling your life across the country, here are a few easy ideas to help make your move easy, economical, and environmentally-friendly.
Illustrations by Brianna Harden.
Reduce
The less you have, the less you move. Go through your closets, cupboards, and garage and sell or donate all that you don't need or use. Sometimes just selling a few unused items can garner all the money you need for the
The less you have, the less you move. Go through your closets, cupboards, and garage and sell or donate all that you don't need or use. Sometimes just selling a few unused items can garner all the money you need for the
Organize your belongings before you move.
Simple organization before you pack can reduce the time, money, and labor needed to move. Pack carefully, use all the space in boxes, and keep like things together.
Simple organization before you pack can reduce the time, money, and labor needed to move. Pack carefully, use all the space in boxes, and keep like things together.
Think outside the boxes.
You have a few options here that can reduce both the environmental and financial impact that buying boxes can bring: You can rent reusable boxes or crates from a company that that will drop off the reus
You have a few options here that can reduce both the environmental and financial impact that buying boxes can bring: You can rent reusable boxes or crates from a company that that will drop off the reus
Skip the styrofoam peanuts and bubble wrap.
Use sweaters, bedding, throw cushions, and towels instead. If you need to purchase packaging materials, opt for earth-friendly options. Rentagre
Use sweaters, bedding, throw cushions, and towels instead. If you need to purchase packaging materials, opt for earth-friendly options. Rentagre
Don't tape up your boxes.
Fold the flaps down into themselves to form and close the boxes. If your boxes are extremely heavy, tape up only the bottom, but leave the top open. This will keep your boxes intact, while reducing yo
Fold the flaps down into themselves to form and close the boxes. If your boxes are extremely heavy, tape up only the bottom, but leave the top open. This will keep your boxes intact, while reducing yo
Look into fuel-efficient moving options.
Figure out how many trips you would need to take with your car and whether it would be environmentally advantageous to rent a large vehicle and do it all in one trip. A little easy math
Figure out how many trips you would need to take with your car and whether it would be environmentally advantageous to rent a large vehicle and do it all in one trip. A little easy math
If you are hiring a moving company, try to find an environmentally friendly one.
Go Green is a great company with a bio-diesel, low-emission fleet that uses only reusable boxes and packaging materials made from recycled, postc
Go Green is a great company with a bio-diesel, low-emission fleet that uses only reusable boxes and packaging materials made from recycled, postc
Mick Walker commented 31 minutes ago
medicinehorse commented about 21 hours ago
medicinehorse commented about 21 hours ago