Moving can get messy and can be very wasteful, but there are ways you can do your part and reduce your ecological footprint
The global climate crisis is something we can’t ignore. Canadians produce approximately 3.3 million tonnes of plastic waste a year. When those 3.3 million tonnes of waste decompose in our landfills, they create carbon dioxide and methane gas (greenhouse gases). Greenhouse gases are one of the primary causes of global warming and climate change. It’s essential to make small changes whenever and wherever we can to reduce our ecological footprints. We’ve compiled some zero-waste moving tips to make your move eco-friendlier. Not only will these moving tips help the planet, but they will also make your move a bit easier to organize.
Moving tips for zero-waste packing
Packing can get messy and is probably the most likely waste culprit when it comes to moving. When it comes to moving tips for packing materials, search for pre-used materials like boxes, newspapers for fragile items, and anything else you can find. Avoid buying these materials, people will often give away these gently used items online for free on platforms like Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace. Start gathering what you need ahead of your move so that you’re not desperately searching at the last minute and resort to buying them instead.
One of the best moving tips for zero-waste packing is to use items that you already have. Baskets, laundry hampers, suitcases, backpacks, reusable shopping bags, and wooden crates are great examples. Using things that you already have, you’ll need fewer boxes, less tape, and other materials that – while they are recyclable – don’t always end up in the recycling. Instead of using newspapers, bubble wrap or packing peanuts for delicate items, you can also use linens, scarves, and clothes as an alternative.
Declutter and donate
One of the most common moving tips is to declutter your home before your move, but this helps to reduce waste as well. Naturally, the less you have to pack means you’ll need fewer packing materials, which results in less potential waste. Sort through all of your belongings and set aside the things you no longer use or need. Instead of throwing them out, donate them to a local shelter or give them away to friends and family. You could also host a yard or garage sale or sell them online. Even if you think something isn’t very useful, you’d be surprised at how someone could re-purpose your items.
Recycle!!!
At the end of the day, even if you follow all of these moving tips and use recyclable packing materials, your efforts will be useless if your materials don’t actually get recycled. How could it be so hard to recycle your items? In many jurisdictions, there are different coloured bins and systems designed for sorting your recycling. It’s not uncommon for someone to be uninformed, confused, overwhelmed or ignorant of the proper way to recycle specific items. It’s easier to toss something into a garbage bag than it is to do the research, but the research is essential and takes no time at all.
Ideally, donating and giving away your moving materials is the best option. If they just aren’t re-usable, be sure to sort them accordingly and bring them to the curb on their assigned days. By following these zero-waste moving tips and other day-to-day zero waste tips, together, we will make a healthier and happier planet.
