Recycling is an art. A little dedication and forethought can help you reduce your waste and minimize your environmental impact. Moving requires a significant number of supplies that will be used once and thrown away, so we have curated some top tips to reduce your carbon footprint while moving.
- Seasonal Purging: We naturally accumulate belongings. It is easy to underestimate exactly how much we have accumulated while we are established in our homes. But the process of moving can make the sheer volume of things feel overwhelming. Organizational experts recommend regular seasonal purging to clear out old, unwanted, and unused items, keeping your home simple and functional. Recycle or donate the things that no longer serve you. Outgrown children’s items can be passed on to others. Old sports equipment, clothes that no longer fit or that are out of style can be donated. Scratched kitchen items and expired pantry goods can be discarded. Regular seasonal purging sessions will leave you with lot less to accommodate and move.
- Use What You Have or Can Get for Free: Ordering packing supplies or buying them from a physical store is a quick and easy option. But if you look around, you may find that you already have many useful items for packing and moving:
- Use old newspapers and ad mailers to wrap fragile items. If you run out, ask friends and family for their extras. Once you start planning for your move, begin stockpiling the shopping ad mailers so you have enough.
- Worn out, torn, or stained t-shirts, towels, bedsheets, linens, etc. can serve as padding for small appliances, shoes, toys, and other items. Larger pieces of fabric can be cut up if needed for wrapping small items.
- Don’t buy moving boxes. Visit a nearby liquor store or grocery store for sturdy boxes of all sizes. Start keeping boxes from online orders and ask friends and family if they have any sitting around that you can use. If you are using a moving company, they may have some used boxes available. Most boxes can be recycled when you’re done.
- Go Natural: Instead of buying plastic wrap for packing, use natural materials instead. Old flannel sheets, blankets, etc. can be used for wrapping furniture and other items that need protection. Fabric drop cloths are an inexpensive option and can be purchased from a hardware store. Thrift stores are another good place to get inexpensive material.
- Rent Packing Supplies: You may be able to rent packing supplies instead. Rented moving boxes, padded blankets, etc., are study and reusable, and will arrive right at your doorstep. These items can be sent back when you are finished, saving you the time and energy of discarding the unwanted materials after your move. Your local moving company should have supplies for rent.
- Donate or Sell Items You Don’t Want to Move: Seasonal purging will help you reduce the overall number of things you have to move. However, moving forces you to look at each of your belongings one-by-one. Inevitably, you will come across additional items that are no longer needed or wanted. Gather these things together in one spot and make a run by a local donation spot or schedule a non-profit to come and pick up your unwanted items. If you have valuable items that you would rather resell, consider listing them on e-commerce sites like eBay, Mercari, Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, or other local neighborhood apps.
AB Moving is dedicated to offering high-quality moving services to the residents of Austin, Texas. AB Moving is a top-rated, professional Austin mover, with a wide array of moving services to residents, seniors/veterans, and businesses across Austin and beyond. Whether you plan to move eventually—or next week—give us a call for a free moving quote today.
