Enjoying My Car

Posted on: 13 May 2015

According to the a report conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2007, the average American will move 11.7 times throughout their entire life. Each move can result in a lot of waste being produced, as packing paper and cardboard boxes generally get discarded afterwards. With Americans generating about 251 million tons of trash in 2012, you can do your part by implementing these 3 tips in finding alternatives to purchasing new cardboard boxes in an effort to reduce waste when moving.

Ask Local Businesses for Unwanted Corrugated Cardboard Boxes

A lot of local businesses that are regularly receiving shipments of products and goods have a lot of corrugated cardboard boxes piling up in a corner of their store. Instead of spending the money to ensure that these corrugated cardboard boxes are properly disposed of and recycled, most local business owners are more than happy to give these boxes to you free of charge.

In addition to being able to save a significant amount of money, depending on the amount of boxes that you need, you are also reducing a lot of waste, as you are reusing boxes that would otherwise never see the light of day again.

Rent Reusable Storage Crates

Some moving companies have reusable storage crates that are up for rent. These crates are typically made from heavy-duty plastic and can tolerate quite a bit of wear without becoming damaged or structurally compromised, and come in a wide range of sizes and shapes. Reusable storage crates are recommended when packing more valuable items, as some of these storage crates have locking mechanisms in place to prevent unauthorized access and for higher overall security. 

Place Clothes and Small Items into Luggage and Duffel Bags

If you have any duffel bags and luggage lying around at home, don't allow them to go to waste. You can put your clothes, linens and other small items into luggage and duffel bags in order to save space. Clothes and linens are generally recommended for duffel bags, as they can be folded and are not vulnerable to being dropped. In comparison, you can wrap smaller, fragile items in packing paper before packing them into luggage with a hard case. 

Conclusion

You don't have to head on over to the closest shipping company to purchase corrugated cardboard boxes for the move. There are many alternative options available that will do the job without creating as much waste. Contact a local mover company, such as Meelheims Transfer & Storage, if you have questions.