Relocate the Green Way: Top 5 Eco Friendly Moving Tips

Moving can be such a hectic and stressful experience that loves of eco-conscious folks forget about how they can keep on helping the environment while they relocate. Don’t start slouching now–move into your new home the eco-friendly way by following these 5 crafty tips.

1. Give Up the Clutter
   One of the best ways to make your move more eco-friendly is to simply get rid of some of your stuff. We’re all guilty of accumulating masses of things we don’t need–giving some of them away can allow you to condense your move into smaller vehicles and fewer trips. Try staging a yard sale before your move to make a few extra dollars on your unwanted junk, and get ready for the added benefit of reduced clutter in your new home.
2. Recycle Old Boxes
   So many people buy new boxes from various retailers to get ready for their move, but this is one of the most wasteful things you can do. Instead, go for the eco-friendly route and use recycled boxes. Supermarkets and stores of all kinds have hundreds of boxes by the end of the week and some will be willing to let you haul them away. Not only can you get your moving boxes for free, you can feel good about cutting down on paper waste and giving the trees a break.
3. Opt for Reusable Packing
   New services in some states are offering another eco-friendly solution to the packing problem–reusable boxes. Earth Friendly Moving in California offers its customers the option of renting reusable packing boxes made from recycled plastic. Similar companies are popping up on the east coast and in many areas in between, so look into this as an option for your move. Many of these services will even deliver boxes directly to your house and pick them up from your new home after the move is complete.
4. Cut Down on Junk Mail
   Many of us get stacks of junk mail every day that goes straight into the trash–what a waste. We all wish it would simply stop, both for our own sake and for the good of the environment, but the unwanted letters just never seem to stop coming in. When you move, file a temporary change of address with the Post Office. It is a little known fact that the Postal Service sells lists of permanent address changes to marketers, but does not do so for temporary address changes. Cut down on your junk mail and spare yourself a hassle with this little trick.
5. Clean Green
   It is often not until you get all your old stuff out of the house that you realize how much dirt has built up. When you start cleaning your old house after the move, opt for green cleaning products to make the process more eco-friendly and give your new home the same treatment. Remember, the safest places to live aren’t just the cities with the lowest crime rates, they’re the houses with the most eco-friendly cleaning products.