If you're concerned about the environment, then you are well aware of how much bubble wrap, boxes, and other packing materials are required to move from one home to another. Thankfully, it doesn't have to be this way. Here are 3 tips that will make the move more environmentally friendly.

Declutter Your Home Prior To Your Move

The biggest mistake you can make when moving is to pack a bunch of stuff that you do not need anymore. Not only does it waste packing material to get it on the truck in a protected manner, but too much clutter could result in a second trip with the moving truck to take everything with you. These are all resources that you can reduce to be more environmentally friendly.

Consider arranging a garage sale to get rid of these items, or even donate them to a local charity. Avoid tossing things in the trash when possible, because it just contributes to landfill waste.

Recycle Old Electronics

Sometimes you have items that you do not need anymore, but are also not very useful to others. This can include old electronics that are several generations behind, which also include dangerous components like lead and mercury.

Old electronics can actually be recycled, where all the materials are stripped from the item and recycled when possible. Even the tiny pieces of gold on a circuit board are salvaged since it can be melted down and reused for other purposes. In addition, it will ensure that the dangerous materials in the electronics do not get disposed of improperly.

Select Thoughtful Packing Materials

You will need to use packing materials if you want all of your belongings to make it safe to your new home. Consider using materials that meet your eco-friendly needs. For example, you can buy boxes that are made from paper that has been recycled or boxes with old newspaper instead of bubble wrap.

Try to get boxes from places that would normally throw them away. Check with local grocery stores to see if they have large boxes that products have come in that they need to get rid of. Check online classified ads for people that are looking to sell their old moving boxes or give them away for free.

Once you have your belongings packed in an eco-friendly way, you'll be ready to hire a moving company to do all of the heavy lifting for you. Contact your moving company for more information on ways to make your move as environmentally friendly as possible.