My Green Move: Part Two

My Green Move is an exclusive Earth911 two part series documenting the environmental ups and downs of freelance writer Libuse Binder. Follow her from New York to Seattle and pick up some great green moving tips along the way. Check out My Green Move: Part One.

Those last few days before liftoff are always a little tough, and ours were no exception. Between saying goodbye to all of our loved ones and packing everything into a Tetris expert level space, it was more tempting than ever to toss unwanted items into the dumpster before hitting the open road.

However, our quest to dispose of as little as possible extended into the wee hours of the night before our departure, and I am happy to report that at final count, we only threw away:

1. Three bags of garbage
2. One mangled and heavily used pressboard bureau from a well known maker of disposable furniture (which lasted three moves and seven years of use)

All in all though, our casualties were low, and we were able to fit almost all of our possessions in that 6′ x 8′ x 9′ area of rented space on the moving truck (that’s 432 cubic feet for anyone keeping track). In order to make it work, we were forced to go vertical!

So on a sweltering morning in the middle of July, we bid a fond farewell to our hilltop home and headed West. Once we had creatively reused, recycled, gifted, sold and re-homed all of our unneeded possessions, we focused on an environmental move in terms of transportation and moving supplies.

Last Minute Green Move Tips

• Pack with recycled boxes—Once we had filled suitcases, various duffels from college sports, and anything else that resembled a box —bureau, laundry hamper, magazine baskets— we still needed boxes! Before heading over to your local packing store to buy new boxes, ask around. We knew a couple of recent movers with boxes to spare, and you could also ask schools or stores if they have any “barely used” boxes to give you.
• Pay your boxes forward—Once you’re unpacked, pass those boxes along for further reuse. Uhaul locations have free box exchange programs, and packing peanuts are accepted at many UPS locations for reuse. Use Earth911 to find recycling options for cardboard and packaging.
• Pack it tightly—Use all possible space. Think of it as a jigsaw puzzle of belongings. Fewer boxes equal less space on a moving truck.
• Last-minute giveaway bonanza—You can bet that everyone who entered our apartment in that final week before the move was exuberantly showered with an array of last minute detritus:
  • One of my friends was very excited about my collection of 2008 Sunday New York Times to supply her rabbit with months of bedding
  • Several jars of pickles went to my in-laws (my father-in-law shares my pickle addiction)
  • Despite our commitment to drink as much as possible in the weeks leading to our departure, our leftover liquor cabinet was a boon to thirsty friends
• Think long-term with furniture—Sturdy furniture will stand the test of time and be much easier to sell or give away—remember the fate of our bureau!
• Leave a housewarming gift for the next tenant—No, I don’t mean your old toilet brush, but consider leaving behind some nice items (wine, olive oil) that won’t travel well and are heavy, as well as some cleaning supplies, which are always useful when moving in or out.
• Let your boxes ride the rail—Although we didn’t go this route, another environmentally and economically sound way to move belongings around the country is via train. Keep in mind that there are restrictions on box sizes and weights. A couple of my friends have used this service for several moves and all highly recommend it.

On the Road

However you choose to make your move, be sure to optimize your fuel use in transport. We used my wee Toyota Corolla for a second cross-country voyage and kept track of the mileage. Though it varied depending on weather conditions, road (highway vs. secondary) and speed, we averaged about 32-34 mpg with a pretty loaded car.

For some fuel efficiency tips, check out Popular Mechanic’s recent article, “10 Quick Fuel Efficiency Tips to Beat the Gas Crunch.”