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Recycling guarantees more resources for future generation, more available resources for reuse and less greenhouse gas emission that is causing global warming.
According to Recycling Across America, if the US recycling levels can reach 75%, it will amount to an environmental benefit of removing 50 million cars from the road each year and it will generate 1.5 million new jobs.
So when you’re moving your home, consider how to recycle your moving supplies at every stage; before, during, and after the move. Thankfully, you don’t have to be directly involved in the recycling. Here are several tips on how you can recycle your moving supplies:
Where To Recycle Your Moving Supplies
Many cities and towns in the US provide many opportunities for recycling. You can find where to recycle in any city on the internet. For instance, www.earth911.org will use your zip code to offer you a list of how to recycle in your area.
Also, you can check your phone book or contact your local waste management service for information about different types of recycling and disposal facilities in your area.
There are different methods for the various types of recyclables. For instance, a recycling truck can pick up some items at your home, while you have to deliver some hazardous materials to the appropriate disposal facilities.
Moving Supplies You Can Recycle
You can drop your moving supplies in labeled recycling bins and place them curbside at the front of your house on your area’s scheduled recyclable pickup day. Some of such recyclable items include:
Cardboard/Paper: Non-waxed paper items and cardboard should be separated from glass, aluminum, and plastic recyclables. Cardboard and paper items can be picked up at your home.
Recycling Across America states that more than 90% of all products shipped in the US are shipped in corrugated boxes, which totals over 400 billion square feet of cardboard. But almost 80% of all retailers and grocers recycle their cardboard.
Plastic: Protective plastic sheets, bubble wraps, and plastic containers can either be reused for packing storage goods or can be recycled with your household recyclables.
After unpacking your household items in your new home, you’ll have the opportunity to recycle almost all your moving supplies if you have selected them carefully.
Also, several waste management services will give you recycling guidelines as well as the right bins for all your recyclables. Use such bins appropriately.
Consider Using Green Moving Supplies
When selecting moving supplies, you should be environmentally conscious as you have the option of picking many green moving supplies. Here are some common green moving supplies you can opt for:
Post-consumer waste paper: this packing supply is made of 100% recycled material and is often used as wrapping or cushioning of fragile or delicate items.
Starch-based materials: this packing supply is environmentally friendly and static-free. Starch-based materials are perfect for cushioning electronics like computers.
Biodegradable packing peanuts: this packing supply can be used as replacement for bubble wraps. Bubble wraps are made of non-green materials.
Popcorn: is a useful optional packing supply. If you intend to use popcorn as a packing material, ensure it is unbuttered and unsalted. Viewed as a relevant innovation in the moving industry, popcorn is effortlessly degradable.
Recycle At Every Stage of the Move
Recycling should be part of your consideration when cleaning out your old home. During the cleaning, you may have some items you don’t intend to move to your new home. Items such as old magazines can be recycled along with old paper products, unwanted books can be donated to schools, prison, local library etc.
Also, electronics such as computers can either be dropped off at a local recycling facility or donated. Some electronics makers accept their old products for recycling. You can check your owner’s manual to find out about recycling electronics. You can also disassemble cardboard boxes for easy pick up.
Further, newsprint and other paper items you used for cushioning or wrapping your household items should be collected and dropped into the right paper recycling bin. You can ask your new neighbors about what day recyclables are picked up in your new area. However, if you don’t want to wait for recycling day pickup, you can drop your recyclables off at a local recycling facility.
Always remember, its us who’s responsibility it is to keep our surroundings clean. Just like our homes, we should always strive to keep our neighborhoods clean as well. If you are ready to move, request some free moving quotes and get comparing.
