§ Earth-
Boxes and packing supplies such as foam peanuts create a lot of extra trash. Using old blankets and towels as padding in your boxes serve the dual purpose of protecting your breakables and packing your linens. Newspaper, which is recyclable, can serve as outer packing wrap or for cushioning. But remember, no matter how old the newspaper, the ink can rub off and can become embedded in fine china if used for wrapping – unprinted newspaper is your best bet. You can find unprinted newspaper at any local moving supply store.
Rubber tubs, found at most major retailers, can store holiday ornaments, seasonal clothing and other items you undoubtedly collected over the years. If you do purchase cardboard boxes, donate them to someone else after your move or ensure they go out with the recycling - not the trash. Or, consider using Tyga boxes which are made of plastic that can be reused up to 500 times.
§ One Man’s Trash is Another Man’s Treasure
Once you take inventory of your belongings, it's often tempting to go the easy route and simply throw unwanted items away. Your old stereo speakers, barbecue grills and those "skinny" clothes that no longer fit could be treasures to a bargain-seeking garage sale shopper or a local charity. The Salvation Army and Goodwill are also great resources to donate unused items such as cars, electronics, appliances, furniture, clothing and much more.
Consider donating all those books (which tend to add a lot of weight to your move) to your local library. Take a little extra time to sort through your things and host a garage sale or donate them to a deserving charity, rather than adding to a landfill.
§ Don’t be a Hazard
If you’re hiring professionals to move you, it’s important to remember that certain items cannot be shipped because they represent a hazard. If the professionals won’t move them, you might not want to either. Hazardous items are those that are flammable, corrosive or explosive such as fertilizer, car batteries, liquid bleach, ammunition and paint thinners. Remember the environment when disposing of hazardous materials. Some municipalities schedule hazardous materials disposal days, and local vendors of these materials may offer disposal services for a small fee. Check out www.thinklocal.com to find recycling centers close to your neighborhood.
§ Don’t Forget About Electronics
Old cell phones, televisions, DVD players and other electronics contain chemicals that are damaging to the environment. Before tossing them to the curb, visit www.mygreenelectronics.org to find an electronics recycler in your neighborhood.
§ Consume, Perish or Donate?
Try to plan your food purchases in the weeks ahead of your move, so you don’t end up with a refrigerator full of perishables. Professional movers cannot move perishable items, and you probably don’t want to transport them yourself. Even the best laid plans will result in some extra items in the fridge and freezer, so arrange to give them to a neighbor. If you don’t want to pack up and move dozens of canned goods and other non-perishables, donate the items to a local food shelter.
§ After the Move
If possible, investigate ahead of time what type of recycling, yard waste and trash services are available and their scheduled pick-up days. You’ll avoid a pile of trash sitting on your curb.
Mayflower Transit, founded in 1927, is one of the nation’s oldest and largest van lines and transports household goods, electronic equipment, trade show exhibits and displays, works of art and specialized freight, utilizing a network of 700 affiliated agents throughout the United States and around the world. Mayflower’s headquarters are located in suburban St. Louis. Further information about the company is available at www.mayflower.com.
