Contributed by Jenny Harrison

With global warming happening on a large scale, we need to act to save our planet. The rising temperatures and polluted water bodies have caused environmental damage impossible to control.

If we want our future generations to survive, it is crucial that we go green. That’s right. We must implement eco-friendly practices in every aspect of our life. If you are moving to another state or even your new dream home or apartment, you need to think of ways you can protect the environment from further damage.

Sadly lots of material including cardboard boxes, packing materials, bubble wrap, and other waste ends up in the trashonce the move is over. If the material can’t be recycled, it only adds to our worries.  On the other hand, there are several ways you can go green and move in an eco-friendly way. 

Don’t move the things you don’t use

There must be many things in your house that you haven’t used in ages. To carry all those things that aren’t in use anymore will take up more space. What’s worse, you will need more packing materials and, of course, a bigger moving truck.

Make sure you sort all your stuff before moving and get rid of the things you don’t need or use. Hold a garage sale for all that stuff and earn extra cash. Or you can donate unused items to charity.

Don’t use disposable moving or packing supplies

You can always choose reusable plastic containers to transport your belongings rather than the usual cardboard boxes. These wooden boxes or crates can be bought cheaply online and then later sold to other people who are moving houses. This way the environment will be saved from a material which is simply thrown away and left to decompose.

[Editor’s note: You can cut the bottom tape on many cardboard cartons, collapse them, and stack flattened cartons somewhere until the next time you need them. I have some cartons that have been practically from coast to coast.]

If you want to save the environment, stop using bubble wrap. You can always use old newspapers or an even better option is to use old bed sheets and pillowcases to wrap fragile items. Bubble wrap is extremely harmful to the environment, in part because it’s not biodegradable.

Use green moving trucks

There are several nature-loving companies that use the greener approach to moving. Their vans and trucks run on bio-diesel instead of the harmful petrol and gas. So do your research and choose a moving company that follows an eco-friendly moving approach.

Use the three Rs

The three rules should be reduce, reuse, and recycle. These should be your focus when you set out to move in a more eco-friendly way. Reuse the packing materials lying around or get reusable plastic containers and cardboard boxes from a neighbor [or store or recycling drop-off center]. You can even use websites like Craigslist to find plastic boxes at cheap rates.

If you have to paint your new house, use eco-friendlypaint so that containers can be recycled. Cleaning your new home is a must, so make sure to use the ‘green’ cleaning options available. Store bought cleaning supplies contain a lot of harmful chemicals. It is recommended that you use the options which are available in your home for cleaning.

Baking soda, vinegar, borax, and salt are natural substances which act as cleaning and scouring agents. In fact, they do the job much better than their heavily-advertisedsubstitutes.

Don’t throw away food

Another essential thing to remember is not to waste any food or water. Empty your fridge beforehandand use up all the ingredients to minimize wastage. Make sure to eat it all up beforehand or donate it. Avoid emptying your refrigerator at the last moment, so that you don’t have to waste or throw away any food or water.

Leave a small area for a garden

If you are moving to a house with a yard, always make sure to leave a small area untouched to create your own backyard garden or to plant veggies and herbs in containers. This will ensure that you are doing your part for the environment.

More importantly, you can ensure that you have more oxygen, greenery, and beauty around you. Caring for your own garden can also be a fun and invigorating experience.

Don’t throw away old appliances

If you have old television sets and PCs in your home, don’t just throw them away. There are several companies that recycle the cords, cables, andother parts. Old batteries also contain toxic metals so don’t just throw them in the trash. Send them for recycling.

So, here are some ways you can move the greener way. Also, adopt eco-friendly ways in all aspects of your life. Avoid collecting unnecessary things, so you don’t have accumulated trash. Not to forget, make it a point to recycle everything you can. The planet will thank you in the longer run.

Author Bio:
Jenny Harrison is a passionate technology and lifestyle blogger. She loves to get engaged with the readers who are seeking for home, lifestyle and tech related information on the internet. She is a featured blogger at various high authority blogs and magazines in which she shared her research and experience with the vast online community. Currently associated with NYC moving company All Around Moving Services Company Inc. Specializes in arranging and assembling services of professional and skilled local movers locally in New York City as well as areas in New Jersey, Connecticut and the Miami Dale area in South Florida for their blog operations. Follow her on twitter @MJennyHarrison for more updates.