Moving isn’t the eco-friendliest process. People tend to throw a lot of items away, waste a lot of materials, and do a lot of driving. If you don’t keep sustainability in mind, your carbon footprint can easily skyrocket during a move. That’s even more likely if you’re moving the whole family. If sustainability is your family’s motto and you want the kids to understand the concept, make sure to follow these sustainable moving tips for families. Plan ahead to make the move less stressful and more environmentally friendly.
Wrap Fragile Items in Soft Fabrics
Instead of using newspaper, take advantage of any soft fabrics around your house and use them to wrap fragile items. From towels and washcloths to blankets and pillowcases, plenty of soft items in the house will protect those fragile pieces better than newspaper ever could. Not to mention, it’ll kill two birds with one stone, as you won’t have to pack those soft items separately.
Use Biodegradable Packing Materials
Bubble wrap and newspaper aren’t good for the environment, either. Once you’ve used up all your soft fabrics, order some biodegradable and eco-friendly alternatives. Many bubble-wrap-like materials are compostable, recyclable, and biodegradable, so stock up on these before you pack.
Pack in Containers You Have
One of the most stressful aspects of moving is finding enough storage containers to hold the family’s possessions. However, you probably already have items in your home that can double as storage, including:
- Duffel bags
- Suitcases and carry-on bags
- Plastic bins
- Dresser drawers
- Reusable tote bags
Fill these up before you turn to boxes. The more possessions you can fit in containers you already have, the less you’ll have to rely on purchased moving boxes, which aren’t great for the environment.
Rent Reusable Moving Boxes
You’ll probably run out of the aforementioned containers at some point. Cardboard boxes are one of the least sustainable aspects of moving, so instead of purchasing them, turn to renting or reusing moving boxes instead. Ask friends and family members for any boxes they may have at home, then turn to companies that offer box rental options. They’ll provide crate-like bins that are much more sustainable and reusable than their cardboard counterparts.
Donate Items You’re Not Bringing Along
This is another thing the whole family can participate in. As you’re all packing up clothing and home goods, take the time to determine if you actually need each item. If you have any kids’ clothes, jackets, and shoes that don’t fit or that your family simply doesn’t use anymore, pile them up together. Once everyone has their donation pile, schedule a donation pickup with a charity of your choosing, such as Purple Heart—this is both green and gracious!
Map Out Your Route
Our last sustainable moving tips for families is to plan out a direct route to your new home. With kids, we often feel the need to take longer routes to hit interesting stopping points. That’s not something you want to do when you’re driving a massive moving fan. Map out a direct route to use less gas and reduce your carbon footprint.
