Moving from recycling to waste prevention when relocating 101

It doesn't matter how great of a place you are moving to - relocation is bound to be stressful! This is the time when you will run around with a scattered brain, trying to tackle all the tasks that are coming your way. In such a situation, we easily forget about our everyday habits, such as recycling. But that doesn't have to be a part of your worries as you should be moving from recycling to waste prevention - at least, that's the responsible thing to do. 

If you are already dedicated to a sustainable lifestyle, then you probably have a few ideas about how you can make your move less wasteful. Even if you don't, you need not worry - here are a few ideas to get you on the right path.

Prevent waste by going through your pantry

Food is usually one of the most wasted resources during and after a move. Chances are you already have a pantry that is full of canned and non-perishable foods. So why would you buy any of the groceries that are just sitting in your home? Do an inventory of your pantry items. Figure out what is probably not going to make it to the dinner table and donate it to a charity of your choice. 

If there’s something you won’t use, give it to those less fortunate.

Far be it from us to say that you shouldn't buy any food once your move starts approaching. But you should only buy the bare necessities like fresh fruit and vegetables, and focus your efforts on eating what you already have at hand.

Note: you probably have clothing items and personal belongings that should also be donated, so don't forget to skim through those. Moreover, you shouldn't forget about two very cluttered areas in every home - the attic and the garage. Not only will you prepare your garage for the move by decluttering, but you will also prevent waste by donating the items you no longer need which could be of great use to someone.

Re-use moving boxes instead of buying new ones

Moving from recycling to waste prevention might be a confusing prospect. After all, these two can go hand in hand. By recycling moving boxes, you will avoid buying new ones, which means you will create less waste. Besides, this will be of great help financially, as well. We all know how expensive packing materials can be and the worst part is that you don't have to spend so much money on this item.

All you have to do is pay a visit to your local retailers. They already get their supplies in sturdy moving boxes and, as soon as they unload the shipment, they no longer need the box. Chances are they will be more than willing to give them to you - all you have to do is ask.

 

Local retailers will make moving from recycling to waste prevention easier.

If you are trying to have an eco-friendly relocation, then you might also want to take a look into eco-friendly packaging. There are many places where you can rent plastic containers and return them once your relocation is over. This way, you will prevent waste and have en efficient relocation. That's a win-win situation no matter how you look at it!

When moving from recycling to waste prevention, don't forget about the packing paper

True - packing paper probably won't top your list of worries. But that doesn't mean it's not one of the sources that you can use to reduce waste during your move. Packing paper isn't expensive, so you don't have to worry about the financial aspect. But is there really a reason for you to buy it when you can use something we all have in our homes - old newspaper?

The newspaper serves the same purpose as packing paper - it provides extra protection for your items, especially fragile ones. It's mostly used when packing glassware and plates. You are advised to wrap every item separately without sparing this material. But we ask you - why would you spend money on a roll of packing paper when your old newspaper can serve the same exact purpose?

If you are worried about ink touching your plates, then you can find another use for your newspaper. For starters, you can bunch it up and use it for another very important thing. 

There's a way to reduce waste even when padding the boxes

With a changing climate and a lot of pollution, people have to utilize every possible source that will help them fight back and reduce the negative effects. We need to find solutions that will help us make our homes eco-friendly and, ultimately, allow us to make a healthier and more conscientious lifestyle altogether. So on that mission, it's safe to say that every little change will make a big difference. And that's why we think you should think about the way you pad your boxes during relocation. It's certainly a small change, but it's a change for the better. How so?

Your old newspaper can serve multiple purposes.

Your boxes can be lined and padded with newspaper and they can even replace packing peanuts, which are often used to fill out empty spaces between items in a box. Extra dish rags, towels, linens and old clothes work wonders for this same purpose, helping you reduce the number of wasted items. Did you know that even the boxes from pasta and cereal can be used for filling out empty spaces inside a moving box? Granted, this isn't the most elegant solution, but it certainly serves the purpose. Besides, who said that moving from recycling to waste prevention was going to be elegant? But being more eco-friendly really is important in our daily lives - not just when moving. Always remember that big changes stem from small ones, and you should have no problem to stay motivated.