Recycling Packaging Materials After Moving
Moving can be an overwhelming experience. Between packing up your belongings, finding a new home, and scheduling the move, it can be difficult to find the time and energy to properly dispose of all of your packing materials. Here at Buzzard Movers, our guide to recycling packaging materials after moving gives you the tools and resources you need to make sure your move is as stress-free and environmentally conscious as possible.
With the help of Buzzard Movers, you can make moving easier and more eco-friendly. With this guide, you can easily find local recycling centres, reuse packing materials, and donate items you don’t need. So don’t let moving get you down — let Buzzard Movers help you make it easy and eco-friendly!
Benefits of recycling packing materials
Moving is an arduous process that can take a great deal of time and energy. When you add in the cost of packing materials and the time it takes to transport and unload them, moving can quickly become an expensive and stressful experience. Thankfully, there are plenty of options when it comes to recycling packing materials after moving, therefore, reduces your financial and environmental impact.
You can turn used bubble wrap into a comfy chair for reading, lounging, or even sleeping. Use cardboard boxes for shipping gifts or storing seasonal items.
You can even recycle packing peanuts, which are made from recycled materials to begin with. With these materials, you can reduce your overall moving costs and minimize your ecological footprint.
How to find local recycling centres
When recycling packing materials after moving, the first step is finding a local recycling collection. There are a few ways to do this: To find a local recycling centre, you can also use an online directory like Earth911.
Earth911 is a popular and easy-to-use directory of recycling centres across the country. Using the directory, you can enter in the materials you want to recycle, and the website will find the closest recycling centres.
For example, if you have a lot of cardboard boxes, you can enter “cardboard” in the search bar, and you’ll see a list of nearby recycling centres. To find a local recycling centre, you can also use Google. Simply search for “recyclable materials near [your city]”, and you’ll see a list of nearby recycling centres.
Tips for reusing packing materials
The packing materials you’ll want to reuse are ones that are sturdy and can be easily sanitised. This includes cardboard boxes, plastic bins, and bubble wrap. Before using these materials again, clean and sanitise them.
You can do this by putting them into a hot wash cycle, wiping them down with disinfectant, or running them through the dishwasher. If you have a large amount of packing peanuts, you can turn them into a DIY project. Simply pour them into a large container, freeze them, and then break them up with a hammer or other blunt tool.
Once you have broken up the peanuts, you can use them for arts and crafts projects like building a desk organiser or creating a mould for your next DIY soap.
How to donate items you don’t need
If you’re moving and have items that don’t need to be recycled, you can donate them to organisations that need your items. Some companies will even come to your house and pick up your unwanted items. This will help you declutter your home, and you can use the profits to donate to a cause that you care about.
Some organisations that accept donations include Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity, and the Salvation Army.
How to dispose of hazardous materials
If you have hazardous materials in your packing materials, you’ll want to double-check that the recycling centre you’re using accepts them. Some centres accept certain hazardous materials, but others do not. When in doubt, call the recycling centre to find out exactly what materials they accept.
You can also contact your local health department to find out where to take unwanted hazardous materials. For example, your city may have a special hazardous waste collection day where you can bring your hazardous materials.
If you don’t have access to a hazardous waste collection day, you can also hire a waste removal company to pick up your unwanted materials. Waste removal companies offer a variety of disposal options, including hazardous waste removal.
Ways to reduce your carbon footprint
You can reduce your carbon footprint by recycling packing materials after moving Other ways to reduce your carbon footprint include:
- Using reusable bags: Instead of using disposable plastic bags at the grocery store, use reusable bags. You can also use reusable bags when shopping for clothing or shoes.
- Driving less: Avoid driving when you can walk, bike, or take public transportation. This will help you reduce your carbon footprint.
- Changing your light bulbs: Instead of using incandescent light bulbs, use light bulbs that use less energy.
- Letting your lawn go wild: Letting your lawn grow wild through a process called “lawn attenuation” lets it naturally sequester carbon.
- Avoiding pesticides: Using pesticides to grow food and plants can pollute the environment.
Ways to reduce your ecological footprint
You can reduce your ecological footprint by recycling packing materials after moving. Other ways to reduce your ecological footprint include:
- Composting: With the help of a composting bin, you can compost food scraps, yard clippings, and other biodegradable materials. This will help you reduce your carbon footprint.
- Growing your own food: Growing your own food helps you reduce your ecological footprint.
- Using renewable energy sources: Use renewable energy sources, like solar panels or wind turbines, to reduce your dependence on fossil fuels.