Making Your Move More Eco-Friendly

Eco-friendly and environmentally responsible choices are becoming increasingly important, whether purchasing sustainable and ethically sourced clothing or minimizing the environmental impact of their day-to-day life, including when moving.

Orbit International Moving Logistics is serious about our commitment to sustainable moving practices. Here are some things to consider for making your move more eco-friendly.

When you are decluttering before your move, do so with the environment and your carbon footprint in mind. Donate and sell items with plenty of life left in them instead of throwing them into the garbage.

Ensure you appropriately dispose of items like old paint cans, aerosols, old electronic devices, and batteries instead of throwing them into a landfill. Items like batteries must be disposed of properly because when they are not, chemicals can leak out, potentially causing damage to the groundwater and surrounding ecosystem. Many local business chains offer free battery recycling at many of their stores.

Instead of buying brand-new cardboard boxes, consider eco-friendly options like reusable boxes, used boxes, or even rentable moving boxes from a local provider. Pack fragile items with what you already own, like towels or clothing, to minimize waste. 

Turning to businesses, such as supermarkets and liquor stores, for boxes is an environmental and economical solution for those undertaking a local move, as is enquiring with friends and neighbours or posting on your local online marketplace to buy gently used moving boxes. You can also post any moving items you have purchased locally to pass on to other people.

Those who know that they will be moving again in the relatively near future or who wish to purchase items that they will later use for storage may want to buy large plastic storage bins –they make for great reusable moving boxes.

If you need to purchase packing materials, prioritize those made from sustainable packing materials–prioritize biodegradable packing supplies and avoid excess use of plastic bubble wrap. Once your move is complete, donate or resell your moving supplies to extend their lifecycle.

Pack with items you already own to prevent damage, like wrapping breakables in towels or clothing items and nesting smaller objects inside larger ones can save on packing peanuts and other such materials.

If you need to purchase packing materials, look for those made with recyclable materials. Again, when you are finished your move, consider reselling or donating to someone in need. Many moving companies, such as Orbit, strive to utilize high-quality, mainly recyclable packing materials to reduce the environmental impacts without sacrificing the protection of your valuables during a move.

Those looking for a temporary move can reduce their environmental impact by storing high-quality furniture items to use upon their return. Many moving companies, including Orbit, have storage solutions to meet various short-term and longer-term storage needs. They can also purchase used furniture items or look into furnished rentals during their move.