As humans, it’s imperative that we take care of this planet we all call home. That starts by being choosy about what happens to our waste. For projects with the potential to create an excess of waste — such as moving — the responsibility is even bigger. That’s why it’s critical to know the best ways to recycle moving supplies.
Read on for environmentally conscious ways to safely recycle moving supplies.
Recycle Moving Supplies: Packing Peanuts
There are two types of packing peanuts available: biodegradable and traditional. Modern packing peanuts are actually color-coded. If yours are white or pink, that means they’re traditional, made from materials that won’t break down in the environment.
Green packing peanuts are environmentally friendly and will easily break down in the outdoors. You can use them in your flower beds, or dissolve them in buckets of water and pour down the drain.
You can recycle your traditional packing peanuts with the UPS, drop off at your local EPS or recycling center, or donate them to a school or craft center.
Bubble Wrap and Shrink Wrap
Plastic recycling has everything to do with the type of plastic that goes into constructing your packing supplies. Both bubble wrap and shrink wrap are comprised of either #2 or #4 plastic, which is highly recyclable.
However, these plastic sheets can cause jams in the machines at recycling centers, so you shouldn’t just leave them for curbside pickup. Collection bins are available at the entrance of most grocery stores and pharmacies, or you can find one locally at the Plastic Film Recycling website.
You can also keep bubble wrap on hand to store delicate household items. Or, advertise excess on Freecycle or Craigslist.
Moving Boxes
Fortunately, moving boxes are always in demand, making it simple enough to pass them along to someone in need. If they’re in good shape, you can even sell them and recoup some of your cost.
To recycle, simply break them down and stack them for curbside pickup. But why not keep them? If you have a garage, consider storing them for your next home move or renovation. Or upcycle them to create interesting storage, gifts, and art. In addition, Ameritex Movers also takes care of recycling boxes for our customers.
As you can see, there are plenty of options for how to recycle moving supplies. Follow our handy recycling tips to make your next move your greenest yet.
Moving in the Greater Houston Area?
Looking ahead to post-move is important. It’s also wise to book your professional local movers in advance. Ameritex can help you make the most of your move. The Ameritex team cares deeply about our community and our clients — that’s why we’re home to the Stress-Free Move.
For more information or to schedule your move, call us today at 713.484.6683.
