3 Items You Shouldn’t Forget to Recycle During a Move

Moving is stressful and things can end up forgotten. When you decide to move and you want to make your move as eco-friendly as possible, recycling becomes a big part of the process.

Using eco-friendly moving boxes from The Chicago Green Box is a good first step towards a more environmentally-friendly move. However, there are several other things you can do, including recycling anything and everything you can. Here are three things you want to make sure you don't forget to recycle during a move.

Cardboard Boxes

While you should certainly ditch the cardboard and rent eco-friendly boxes, you may still end up using some cardboard boxes, especially if you already own them. Don't forget to recycle these boxes as they serve very little purpose once they've been used in a move.

If you decide to purchase cardboard boxes, make sure you get boxes that can be recycled. The real problem with cardboard comes when a box gets wet or something else on it, such as soap or oil. Once the box has become wet or soiled, it can no longer be recycled.

When you need boxes for your move if you want to ensure it's as eco-friendly as possible, rent boxes from The Chicago Green Box. You won't need to worry about recycling cardboard boxes when you're done moving or which boxes can be recycled and which cannot.

Packing Materials

An eco-friendly move means you'll likely try to use all your soft goods as packing materials before buying anything additional. While towels, sweaters, t-shirts, and bedding make great packing materials, you may end up needing more than what you already own.

Make sure to only purchase packing materials you can recycle. Then, when the move is over, gather all your packing materials and find a local recycling facility to drop them off at.

Old Electronics

Moving presents one of the best times to go through your things and get rid of what you don't need or want anymore. If you've been hoarding old electronics, such as laptop computers, tablets, smartphones, or anything else, now is the time to sell or recycle your old electronics.

Even if you cannot recycle the entire item, you can usually recycle the battery. By recycling old electronics, you'll be protecting the environment from the chemicals found within these devices. You'll also be helping to save energy and ensure the harmful chemicals in these devices don't end up in the environment.

Make sure to choose a certified electronics recycler for your devices. Not all recyclers are certified to properly recycle electronics.

Of course, if you have an electronics item you don't need, but someone else can use, you may want to consider selling it first. If the item is too old to sell or doesn't work, make sure to recycle it.

Moving is a great time to go through the things you own and sell, donate, or recycle anything you don't need or want. Take the time to go through everything you own, including your electronics. You might be surprised what can be sold, donated, or recycles before your move, which will reduce the number of boxes and, potentially, the size of the truck you need for your move.

Top 3 Most Eco-Friendly Packaging Materials

It's time to move, but you're not sure how to choose packing materials you can actually recycle. Maybe you want to ensure your move is as eco-friendly as possible, and the packaging materials have become a bit of an obstacle. Don't worry, there are plenty of options to use and you won't be left without a good way to pack up your belongings.

When you want to move in the most eco-friendly way possible, you need the right supplies. Here's a look at the top three most eco-friendly packaging materials you can use for your next move.

Start with What You Already Own

Most people forget about what they already have when they get ready to move. You probably own luggage, which can be packed with all kinds of items, just don't make it too heavy. You may also own other things, such as plastic crates and chests of drawers.

All of these items can be packed to carry some of your items to your new home. By using what you already have as moving boxes, you can eliminate your overall need for boxes.

In addition, you can also use what you own as packing supplies, such as towels, sheets, bedding, and clothing, which can all be used to cushion items. Pack your drawers with towels and lighter items to make them easy to carry. You can also pack luggage with bedding used to protect dishes or other items in need of protection. Get creative and use what you already have to eliminate your overall need for boxes and packing supplies.

Plastic Moving Boxes

One of the most eco-friendly packaging materials is plastic. Since it can be reused, it doesn't have to be wasted. While cardboard boxes can be recycled or potentially reused, they can also become damaged and no good for use or recycling.

With plastic moving boxes, you can rent the number of boxes you need for the move and return them when you're done. Not only do these boxes provide a very eco-friendly option, but they also ensure you won't have boxes sitting around your new home for weeks or months after moving in.

Biodegradable Bubble Wrap

Instead of just using regular bubble wrap, make sure you buy biodegradable bubble wrap. It's still made of plastic, but it's biodegradable making it less harmful for the environment.

Another alternative, made from recycled cardboard, offers a great solution for your packing needs. This packing material is used all throughout the Disney Theme Parks and it looks like a honeycomb paper with a second layer. It's excellent for protecting items and it can be recycled once you're done using it.

When you buy your packing supplies, getting anything biodegradable or recycled will make a big difference for your move. Regular bubble wrap and packing peanuts don't cut it any longer. Instead, you want to choose some type of biodegradable bubble wrap, preferably made from some type of reusable or recycled materials.

Whenever you need to move, it's time to consider your supplies. Make sure you choose the most eco-friendly items for your packing and moving.

How to Reduce Waste & Recycle During a Move

Moving can cause a ton of waste. From the books to the bubble wrap, there are plenty of things you will likely throw away during a move.

You don't have to waste when moving. There are several ways to reduce waste and recycle during a move. Here are some of the best ways to reduce waste and recycle when you're moving.

Don't Use Cardboard Boxes

While you can certainly recycle cardboard boxes, you don't have to use them at all. You can use reusable moving boxes to ensure you don't waste boxes after you've moved.

Did you know, if a cardboard box gets wet, it cannot be recycled? Often, moving boxes cannot be recycled for one reason or another and they end up as waste. However, when you rent reusable moving boxes, they don't have to be recycled because they end up being reused.

Use Things You Have for Packing Supplies

If you have old newspapers, old towels, t-shirts, and other soft things, use it for packing. You don't have to buy new packing supplies for your move. Even towels you plan to use when you arrive, you can use for packing fragile things. You can also use sheets, blankets, and anything else soft that you already own.

The soft things you don't plan to keep can be donated. The best way to reduce waste during a move is to not create new waste. By using things you already own as packing materials, you don't have to buy as much bubble wrap and you won't have to waste as much.

Eliminate What You Don't Need or Want

Before you start packing, take the time to go through everything you own and get rid of what you don't want. It can be donated or even thrown away, if necessary. Donate anything that can be reused by someone else from clothing to old appliances.

By going through everything you own, you'll reduce what you need to move, which will help you to create less waste. You can even have a yard sale if you want to make a bit of extra cash from your unwanted things.

Recycle Anything That's Recyclable

It doesn't have to be a cardboard box to be recycled. Check your local recycling program and see what they will take. Some places will take old packing paper and even bubble wrap. Even if it cannot be recycled through your municipality, you can reuse some things.

Maybe you have leftover bubble wrap or packing supplies. It may come in handy around the holidays if you need to ship any gifts to family members. If possible, store your packing supplies and use them as your main things to keep from having to buy new and waste the old.

There are several good ways to reduce waste and recycle when you're moving. Using plastic moving boxes is a good start and using your soft goods as packing materials can help, too. Make sure you use the tips above and come up with your own creative ways to reduce waste and recycle when moving.

Make a Difference by Using Green Moving Boxes

Recycling your cardboard boxes after moving is good enough, right? You're still being eco-friendly and helping the environment, at least that's what you think.

You've seen the stats and you know that each ton of recycled cardboard and paper will save 17 trees, about 7,000 gallons of water and free up 3.5 cubic yards of landfill area. This is why you recycle your cardboard boxes after moving but are you really making the difference you think you're making?

Your Recycling Might Not be Recycled Anymore

Due to changes in China, as detailed in this article from The New York Times, when you recycle cardboard, plastic, and paper, it may still be going to the landfill. Since China no longer accepts "foreign garbage" and a large portion of recycled materials from the U.S. were sent to China for processing, your cardboard boxes from moving may end up in a landfill, even if you put them in the recycling bin.

Not All Cardboard can be Recycled

In addition to the fact that your recycling may end up in a landfill, not all cardboard can be recycled. If it gets wet or has something spilled on it, you may not be able to recycle it. This means if you move and it rains or snows on the day of your move, you may end up with boxes that have to go in the garbage, not the recycling.

Just because you plan to recycle cardboard moving boxes after your move doesn't mean you're moving in the most eco-friendly way. Not to mention, the process to manufacture cardboard moving boxes isn't even close to environmentally-friendly.

Manufacturing Cardboard

When cardboard is created, every step of the process produces hazardous gasses. These gasses are sent out into the air every single day. While recycling cardboard has helped to eliminate about half of these gasses, not using cardboard at all will eliminate even more.

Manufacturing companies are starting to look at the way they create cardboard to emit less of these gasses. However, they are not the only ones that have to do their part. When you move, you don't have to use cardboard boxes. You can choose green moving boxes made to be reused instead of recycled or thrown away.

Why Choose Green Moving Boxes?

When you use cardboard, you risk ending up with boxes you cannot recycle. In addition, a wet box could lead to damaged items. With green moving boxes, you don't have to worry about rain or snow, as they won't be weakened by moisture.

Green moving boxes are produced once and used hundreds, if not thousands of times before needing to be replaced. A cardboard box is only used once for moving, and then either tossed in the trash or in the recycling, which may end up in the trash, anyway.

If you want to move in an eco-friendly way, don't think that recycling your cardboard boxes is enough. While it may seem friendly to the environment, you may not be able to recycle all your boxes and your recycling may end up in a landfill, anyway.

Instead, choose green moving boxes to ensure you move in the most eco-friendly way possible. These boxes don't get recycled because they get reused. They are rigid and will better protect your belongings, along with better protecting the environment.

3 Tips to Live More Eco-Friendly After Your Move

After moving in an eco-friendly way and using Chicago green moving boxes, why not continue the trend? There is no better time than when you first move into a new house or apartment to live a more eco-friendly life.

You don't need to make massive changes to become more environmentally-friendly, either. Little changes to the things you buy and use can make a big difference, especially over time. Here are three tips to help you live a more eco-friendly life.

Conserve Energy at Every Corner

One of the best things you can do is set up practices in your new homes for energy conservation. For example, if you're not in a room, shut off the light. This may seem easy, but it's not easy if you're not in this habit.

In addition to simply turning off lights and other things you're not using, you can invest in eco-friendly devices and appliances. If you're buying a new house or remodeling the kitchen, buy the highest EnergyStar rated appliances to ensure you'll consume less energy. You can also do this with electronics and many other devices within your home.

Switching to LED light bulbs will also make a difference. LEDs last longer than a conventional bulb and they use less energy. This is one of the easiest and fastest ways to help make your home more eco-friendly.

Not only will conserving energy help you to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle, but it will also help you to save money. With the right energy conservation practices, you may even see a noticeable difference in your monthly energy bills.

Recycle as much as Possible

Recycling is a great way to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle and many things can be recycled. Just about everything made of plastic can be recycled, along with batteries, paper, cars, and so many other things.

Before you decide you're going to throw something out, consider whether it can be recycled. If you live in a condo or apartment building and they don't offer recycling, find your nearest option for dropping off your recycling. You can also lobby the management staff to provide recycling, which would help to make your entire building more eco-friendly.

Along with recycling, be aware of the products you buy and what they are packaged in. Buying less plastic and less Styrofoam make a difference. When you shop, use canvas bags for your fruits and vegetables and bring reusable grocery bags.

Start Shopping Local

When you buy local, you're living a much more eco-friendly lifestyle than you might imagine. Buying local means the products were likely made and bought much closer to home, which means they didn't leave a carbon footprint to arrive in the store. Farmer's markets, local grocery stores, small businesses and artisans carrying goods they made themselves are all good options.

In addition, when you shop local, you'll be supporting the local economy.

These three tips are just the start of becoming more eco-friendly. There are several other small changes you can make in your new home to ensure you're living the most eco-friendly life possible. It started with your eco-friendly move with Chicago Green Boxes and now it can continue with your new home.