We enjoy giving our readers green moving info because we understand the importance of the movement. I found this article on Mother Nature Network (MNN) about residential movers finding ways to go green which discusses some of the most recent trends the moving industry is experiencing in their push to be more green.
While trucks are slowly getting cleaner and more efficient the biggest change is the push for reducing the enviromental impact of the packing process. Rental and used cardboard boxes have been around for a while and can sometimes be found from local movers and from companies like Ecobox which focus primarily within their local service area. Several new “buy and sell” moving box websites such as usedcardboardboxes.com, boxcycle.com and freecardboardboxes.com have popped up lately and some are easier to use and offer more than others with regards to services and ease of use.
Beyond that are companies such as Earth Friendly Moving in the Los Angeles and Orange County Area and Frogbox in the Seattle and Vancouver areas which offer rental plastic bins. These bins can be used hundreds of times before going to a landfill instead of being used once and then contributing directly to the estimated 18% to 26% of landfill space that cardboard and paper consume. Earth Friendly moving also makes their boxes entirely from 100% recycled plastic and offers a variety of recycled products including packing peanuts, paper, bags and other moving supplies. In addition to being green these products provide a competitively priced alternative to traditional packing supplies.
When moving, one of the biggest tasks is getting rid of stuff. By eliminating the amount you’re moving you can save quite a bit of money and time. In my article about how to save money on your move using a cube sheet you can see how much money you can save by reducing the total weight of things to be moved. Unfortunately some of the time savings are lost when you realize how hard it can be to get dispose of certain items appropriately and even more difficult when you’re trying to be green about it.
Along these lines some of the more difficult items to dispose of can be home electronics, computers and related equipment including monitors and printers. I feel like printers deserve special recognition because if your experience has been anything like mine printers just don’t seem to last. Or you may get a new printer or computer and just hold on to your old one until you can determine what to do with it.
If you do have a television or printer that still works, you might consider selling it depending on how outdated the technology is. Old computers are different for two reasons. First, technology advances so quickly that old computers become outdated quickly. Second, selling a computer requires complete erasure of hard drive contents to protect the security of your old data and personal information. You’ll need to be somewhat technically savvy to be able to do this properly or you’ll have to pay someone to do it. Note that deleting files does NOT erase your data and old data can be recovered fairly easily from someone with the right skills. Donating computers to a school or other program is a another worthy consideration but also necessitates proper deletion of hard drive data.
My recommendation for the simplest solution to dispose of computers and other electronics is using an electronic recycling business for all of your old electronics. Due to the sheer quantity and rapid growth of electronic goods requiring disposal this industry is booming and the number of electronic recyclers is growing. Although there is no single electronic recycler that I’m aware of that operates across the US, I have outlined below several electronic recycling businesses or websites where you can search for the nearest e-recycler.
- Earth911.com: www.Earth911.com – Probably one of the easiest to use and one of the most comprehensive of all recycling center search sites. Just type in what you’re looking to recycle and where and you get a list of centers and businesses near you.
- myGreenElectronics: www.mygreenelectronics.org – Another very simple and fairly comprehensive search site.
- E-cycling Central: www.ecyclingcentral.com – A state by state clickable map brought to you by the Telecommunications Industry Association is easy to use but relatively limited in number of e-cycling locations.
- ASL Recycling: www.aslrecycling.com – They work with moving companies and other businesses throughout California and organizations and coordinate e-cycling programs and events and do all of the recycling in house utilizing green and efficient methods.
- Best Buy: www.bestbuy.com – Although the scope of what they collect is somewhat limited and they require you remove your computer’s hard drive before donating, they do have many locations across the US and will give you a $10 gift card for donating. Best Buy recycling program information
- Staples: www.staples.com – Although they have many locations, TV’s are not accepted and a $10 fee applies to all computers and related equipment. Staples recycling program information
Recently I was trying to get rid of an old vacuum and I wasn’t sure what to do with it. In the green spirit of reuse and recycle I just couldn’t get myself to put it in the trash (which may even be illegal). The vacuum cleaner was aging and although the motor still worked it needed a new filter, brush and belt. The price of the parts was about what the vacuum cost when it was new so it made more sense to get a new one. This led to my consideration of the options regarding how to get ride of a vacuum, working or not and which methods of disposal work best for certain situations. So whether your moving, or just getting rid of old items, consider the options below to determine what’s best for you.
1. Sell it. If your vacuum works and is still new enough and in good enough shape then selling it using online or print classifieds makes the most sense. If it’s old or if it needs a little repair this may still be an option but it might be better to try and find a vacuum sale and repair shop that is interested.
2. Donate it. This is probably the best option if the vacuum still works but really isn’t worth the trouble to sell it and if you just don’t need the extra money. Remember there is usually a tax benefit for donated items (check tax code for details).
3. Leave it curbside. This should only be tried in urban areas if the vacuum works and with a sign indicating that it’s free and does indeed work. This is usually most effective on the weekend. A note here that this may be seriously frowned upon and possibly against city code in certain areas but I know that it’s done frequently in our community and it benefits both the disposer and the receiver. Another note, please remove the item and find another way to dispose of it if it’s not picked up by someone within a couple of days, otherwise it will be sure to agitate neighbors and make the neighborhood look trashy.
4. Give it to a vacuum repair and sale shop. This is what we decided to do and it made the most sense. That way they could decide if it was worth it for them to repair and resell or to use to dismantle and use for parts.
5. Recycle it. In many areas your vacuum is recyclable by your local recycle center. If you don’t know the name or location of your local recycle center, call or visit the website of your waste removal service to find their information. In some cases the recycle center can provide free pickup of your vacuum and many other recyclable items and appliances. If not a drop may be required but this is still fairly easy to do and much better for the environment than simply throwing your vacuum in the garbage or dropping it at your local dump or transfer station.
6. Trash it. Truly a last resort. Besides the fact that a vacuum in a dump just doesn’t seem right, it might not even be allowed in certain areas.
This week, one of the first diesel-hybrid moving trucks was picked up by an Atlas Van Lines agent. Under 30mph, the truck uses a combo of diesel and electricity. The truck will be going up and down from New York to Boston this moving season, so stay on the look-out if you’re on the east coast!
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Check out Truckinginfo’s article on the New Diesel-Hybrid Moving Truck.
Tips on making your move green
These days being “green” is in. You’re already part of the solution each time you take reusable canvas bags to the market, refill your water bottle with tap water and conserve energy. So why not take it one step further and be “green” while moving! It’s easier than you think and when it’s all said and done you may have actually saved money. But more importantly you’ll feel good about yourself!
It won’t happen overnight but if we can provide just a few tips on making that transition a little easier, we’ve done our job.
Purge and Condense
It’s always a good idea to take your upcoming move as an opportunity to sort through your belongings and decide what you want to keep and what you don’t. If you want to sell your items place them on eBay, Craigslist, or simply have a garage sale. Don’t feel like it’s worth the hassle? Find your local donation agency to schedule a drop-off or pick-up. Don’t let your electronics pile up in the junk yard. Check out www.aslrecyling.com to find a local agent that will pick up your eWaste for free.
Eliminating extra waste also saves on the number of trips you have to take to your new home. If you’re moving yourself think about renting a larger truck or maximize your space. If you’re hiring a moving company you might be interested in www.greenmoversusa.com to find a green moving company in your area. These companies are rated by just how green they are, including those companies that plant 10 trees for every completed move!
Cleaning
Whether you’re cleaning your new home prior to move-in or doing a final clean for the new homeowners, use green cleaners. They are safe for your family, safe for the environment and actually less expensive than those products with harsh chemicals.
Packing Materials
Think reusable or recycled. Ask friends and family for old moving boxes or search Craigslist. You might also consider stopping by your local grocery store or liquor store to find out what day they normally receive shipments. These boxes are typically more sturdy than boxes from holiday/birthday gifts. Instead of plastic bubble wrap to protect your valuables use old newspapers that can be recycled or sheets and towels that can be washed.
Want to avoid waste altogether? If you live in Southern California check out Earth Friendly Moving at www.earthfriendlymoving.com. Earth Friendly Moving will drop off plastic, reusable containers for a small fee, then pick them back up once your move is complete! Avoid boxes and tape all in one quick delivery.
We hope you find these tips helpful and think “green” before your next move!
