With the many items on your checklist to be completed before your move, understandably keeping your move green might not be at the top of your list. However, the same steps that will decrease your move’s carbon footprint will also decrease your moving costs. So, whether you’re doing it for the green planet or the green in your wallet, taking time to plan an efficient move will prove beneficial.

5 Steps to a Greener Move

1.      Start early and plan ahead.

Once you have the thought to move homes, start planning for your next move to avoid redundancy. By planning early, you will have enough time to declutter, donate, and dispose of items responsibly. Once you know your new home’s floorplan, measure your current furniture to ensure that it will fit. If you are buying new furniture for your new floorplan, avoid doubling your transportation needs and costs by having it delivered directly to your new address. Click here to download our Countdown to Moving Day planner!

2.        Declutter, declutter, declutter.

You cannot start decluttering too soon. The less you move, the less you’ll use (fuel, boxes, resources, time, energy), the less you’ll spend (after all, those resources cost money), the less you’ll waste. As mentioned, starting early will give you plenty of time to decide what’s not going to your new home and to find a home for your unwanted items that are still in good condition. When time is running out to vacate your home, the temptation to throw away usable items will increase. Likewise, by starting the cleanout early, you will have enough time to responsibly throw away toxic items, such as batteries, paint, medications, etc. Find helpful tips to decluttering and donation with these free guides.

3.        Bundle your moving services.

If you will require multiple moving services, such as packing and/or storage, to reduce redundancies consider working with one moving company rather than multiple companies. The single full-service moving company will streamline your relocation, and as a bonus your moving bill will likewise likely be reduced.

4.        Pack green.

Pack green by using sustainable packing materials. The most sustainable packing containers are the ones you already have such as your dresser drawers, suitcases, and plastic storage bins. Fill these spaces with nonfragile items. Also, if you’re comfortable doing so, use towels and linens as padding when packing fragile items into boxes. 

Cardboard boxes and paper packing materials are reusable, recyclable, and often made from high post-consumer content, limiting their carbon footprint. Make use of used moving boxes in good condition and make your used boxes in good condition available for reuse. Avoid plastic and Styrofoam packing materials, unless you’re reusing these materials from packages you receive. 

When packing up your kitchen, plan for the last few meals in your old home and the first few in your new home by leaving out a few plates and utensils or purchasing biodegradable kitchenware. Learn how to pack like a pro with this packing guide.

5.        Hire an eco-conscious, responsible moving company.

When interviewing prospective moving companies, ask about their earth-friendly practices. Only interview licensed moving companies. In California, a licensed moving company’s fleet of trucks must meet the state’s high emission standards, the highest in the country. By working with a licensed moving company in California, you are ensuring that your belongings are being transported by one of the most efficient trucks in the country.

Keeping It Green at Camelot

Our trucks may be blue and yellow, but Camelot is a green moving company, through and through! With nearly 40 years of experience in the moving industry, we know how to provide an efficient, responsible, and sustainable moving service. A full-service moving company based in California, we drive an efficient fleet of trucks, utilize and sell environmentally friendly packing materials, and provide streamlined full-service moves across the entire contiguous United States. Give us a call today to see how we can help you move green.