I am currently using blog exchanges as a strategy to get credible websites pointing to my business. I am working with a SEO specialist in town, our strategy, we both write a a blog for each other with a backlink on each to our respective sites – this is a great for SEO for both of us! This is the latest guest post that I wrote for his client – Box Your Move.
WALK THE GREEN TALK WHILE MOVING?
Let’s be honest, moving can be frustrating, and tiring, so the least thing we are concerned about is to how be eco-friendly in the process. We just want to get over it!
With all the boxes, wrapping paper and car trips back and forth, moving tends to be a stressful experience, not only for new home renters or happy homeowners, but also for the environment as well.
Did you know that moving is considered one of the most polluting activities waste-wise and fuel spending-wise? For instance, did you know that there are 42 million moves per year? At the same time, it is estimated that a typical residential move uses about 60 cardboard boxes. Do the math and you can imagine how much of that ends up in the landfill – more than ½ of a ton of a pine tree.
These numbers are considered catastrophic for some environmentalists due to the negative ecological footprint. As a result of this activity some moving companies have started incorporating sustainable practices within their operations.
While writing this blog, I was in the process of upgrading from one bedroom apartment to a house. I also walk the green talk so I decided to reduce frustration and my footprint when moving into my new place.
I apply the “One Step to Go Green “ principle so here’s what I did to contribute with the environment.
Consider an eco-friendly moving company
Look for a company that responds to the challenges of the 21st century to be more sensitive to our environment. Ask about their sustainability practices: Do they use boxes or reusable crates? How do they power their trucks? What kind of products do they use (even for cleaning their trucks)?
REDUCE
Before packing your things – De-clutter
Go through all of your possessions and junk to see what you are letting come into your new home! This is the first step to environmental change – get rid of emotional baggage, whilst lowering your moving bills.
What a way to start your green moving, with some extra money in your pocket! Did you know that an average four-person house requires at least a 24-feet truck to move, whilst a house that doesn’t de-clutter might need twice that!
Get rid of any papers, magazines, books, old toys or clothes that are in good condition so that you don’t need, sort them out and donate them to a local charity. Another option is to sell them on eBay or similar, to make some cash – getting rid of the things you don’t need is both very freeing and releasing, and can actually generate you some extra money for the move.
You could even sell off surplus office stuff, or craft supplies, if you have them, making your home /office move leaner and easier.
The fewer things you accumulate, the lower the environmental cost of your move.
Sign up for e-billing
On top of all the paper you’ll be saving – this is the quickest way to change your billing address; and the perfect opportunity to get rid of all of those unwanted mailing lists!
REUSE
Go boxless
Reuse boxes, containers, and bags before buying new ones. In the case, you need more, consider renting eco-friendly moving boxes, crates or other moving supplies that can make your move easier on you and the environment.
By renting your moving supplies you are reducing the amount of waste ending up in landfills. You can even reduce your one-time-use-items pile and maximizing the use of existing reusable crates.
Protect your stuff – Use Geami wrap
Before using paper, or bubble wrap consider using blankets, sheets or towels to protect your items. Use Geami wrap to cover your belongings, this is an alternative to bubble packaging that is used to protect your items during shipping and moving.
This paper is an eco-friendly packaging option, and is 100% biodegradable, recyclable and compostable.
RECYCLE
After moving, don’t forget to find your local recycling center; in Ottawa you can call the City 3-1-1. Prepare cardboard for recycling by removing any other materials such as plastic wrap, polystyrene peanuts and other packing materials, breakdown the cardboards boxes to save storage space and give them to a friend or family member who needs them. In your new home devotes space for recycling.
RETHINK
In you want to go beyond recycling, what about installing energy-efficient lights, greening up your appliances, switching to eco-friendly cleaning, getting a hybrid car. Being earth-friendly doesn’t require going solar or growing all your own food.
There are plenty of easy ways to make a big difference; the important thing is to begin.
Diana Esparza 