Austin routinely ranks among the greenest cities in America—so says Popular Science and Travel and Leisure, among others. It’s also become one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. For proof, see the BBC’s list of reasons why everyone is moving to Texas (check out #6 for a special Austin shout-out).
So it’s only logical that we’d figure out a way to make moving more environmentally friendly. Here are a handful of tips from the EPA to help you reduce waste as you make your way to a new home:
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- Have a yard sale before you move to lighten your load. Sell clothes that don’t fit anymore, as well as any toys, appliances, books and any other items you don’t want to move.
- Any leftover junk? Hire an eco-friendly junk removal company, such as Humpback Junk, to take care of it for you. With Humpback, all of your old belongings are taken to a Goodwill donation location for repurposing or to a recycling center to be renewed and reused.
- Pack your clothes, linens, and other items in suitcases or duffel bags that you already own.
- Consider using environmentally preferable packing materials like cushioning peanuts made of biodegradable cornstarch and bubble wrap containing post-consumer recycled plastic. Recycle or reuse these materials once you’re done with them.
- Be sure to properly dispose of any non-recyclable items that you won’t be taking with you. This includes household cleaners, paints, automotive supplies, and other hazardous items that require special disposal. Some cities hold hazardous waste collection days and electronics recycling events where you may drop off items for recycling or proper disposal—for Austin-specific information, check out the Austin Resource Recovery website.
- Don’t buy new boxes. Prior to moving day, start saving boxes for reuse or ask a local business for their leftover shipping boxes.
- If you’re not able to scrounge up old boxes, go with corrugated boxes with the highest recycled content you can find.