Green Moving Tips

Courtesy of Windermere Real Estate

Summer: The Season of Moving

If you or your client are moving homes this summer, take note of these green moving tips, and put some green back in your pocket.

Have less stuff. It's simple - the less stuff you have, the less packing materials you'll need, and the less gas you'll use hauling it all around town. Get rid of excess baggage by having a garage sale or donating to charity.

Reuse moving boxes. Don't spend money buying brand new boxes that you'll only use once. Ask local stores for empty boxes. Liquor stores are a good place to start, and the bottle dividers can be used to seperate fragile items. Of course, always recycle or donate the boxes when you're done with them.

Better yet - rent moving boxes. Find a local company that rents moving crates. Many will even deliver the crates to your home in advance, and pick them up after you move.

Skip the bubble wrap and use household materials like newspaper, sheets and towels as padding between fragile items.

Clean green. Choose environmentally sound products to clean up your old home and prepare your new home for you and your family.

Get it all in one trip. You'll waste time, gas and the environment if you have to make multiple trips - large moving trucks can emit high levels of pollution. Ask for advice when selecting a moving truck or have your moving company estimate the right truck size.