What to Look for When Hiring an Eco-Friendly Moving Company

Years ago, moving meant many cardboard boxes, bags of packing peanuts, reams of crushed newspaper and moving trucks idling at the curb – not an environmentally conscious vision. Fast forward to today when you have many more responsible packing options. When packing and choosing an eco-friendly mover, keep in mind the environmentally responsible goals to reduce, reuse, recycle.

1.  Select a mover

Long before your move, select an eco-friendly moving company. When getting quotes, the bottom line may not be a dollar sign, but the level of environmental impact. Search online for green movers in your area and get answers to the following questions from the moving company:

• Do they supply reusable, non-cardboard moving boxes?
• Do they use biodegradable packing materials?
• Do their trucks use biofuels?
• Do they use subcontractors that utilize less green procedures?
• Do they select travel routes to maximize fuel efficiency?
• What are the recycling policies for materials that can no longer be used in future moves?

2. Donate and recycle

As soon as you know a move is in your future, start getting rid of possessions you no longer need. Sell items of value or give to family and friends. Donate and recycle the rest with trusted green organizations in your community. Moves are great times to purge:

• Clothing not worn in the past year
• Small electronics not used in the past year
• Unused cords, cables, and adapters
• Paperwork
• Decorator items that were used only to fill space
• Cosmetics and toiletries
• Books and magazines

3. Pack smart

You have gotten rid of things that are not making the move with you, and you have set a move date with an environmentally conscious moving company, now think green as you pack.

• Use clothing and linens to cushion breakables and use the less packing material.
• Fill drawers with lightweight material to cut down on the number of boxes used.
• Use mattresses and sofa cushions as furniture pads.
• Use pillowcases as containers.
• Fill all moving containers to take up less space.
• Use biodegradable alternatives to plastic packing peanuts.
• Use stackable, reusable containers from your moving company to minimize time required to load and unload the moving truck.

By purging, using smart packing techniques and partnering with an environmentally friendly mover, like these Bay Area movers, you will help minimize the environmental impact of your move. This approach will not only put money into the green economy but also give you a streamlined start at your new location where you can continue to reduce, reuse and recycle.

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a certification program developed by the US Green Building Council. It is the most recognized and known rating system for sustainable and green buildings. LEED emphasizes a “whole” building approach when it certifies a building. The building must perform better than conventional buildings in several sustainability […]

Whether your car is a piece of machinery that gets you from A to B or your glorified third child, it is important to know which gas you should put into your car and what will be put into the environment. Both regular gasoline and diesel fuel come from crude oil, which is purchased by companies that buy mineral rights. After extraction, different production techniques create the two types of fuel; there are key differences between them. Cars take one or the other, but never both. Additionally, different types of fuel have different efficiency outputs, but some are more available than others.

Which Fuel Is More Efficient?

Diesel fuel is often characterized as dirty, strong-smelling, and toxic, but it is far more efficient than regular gas. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), diesel fuel is denser, harder to break down, and harder to ignite. It also contains more energy per gallon, meaning that your car will get more miles to the tank. A 2004 article published by the American Chemical Society expanded on that technology, explaining that engines that take diesel fuel have greater “thermodynamic efficiency.”

Which Fuel is More Environmentally Friendly?

Though the EPA claims that diesel fuel emits more carbon dioxide (CO2) than gasoline, the research from that 2004 article, which was conducted by the Ford Motor Company, stated that diesel fuel emits less carbon than regular gasoline. The EPA backed its claim by stating that diesel fuel contains more carbon in general, and therefore emits more per gallon, whereas the article looked at fuel economy and CO2 emissions as relatable, and suggested that the more fuel-efficient engine was also more environmentally friendly.

Technically, both sources are right. The EPA is correct when comparing pure diesel fuel with pure gasoline. However, the actual contents of fuel have changed. Now, consumer gasoline, denoted as E10, contains at least 10% ethanol. The mixture is more environmentally friendly than pure diesel fuel. Similarly, diesel fuel can now be a mixture of 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel, denoted as B20, and is more environmentally friendly than E10. So, when comparing these two, the article is correct. The U.S. Energy Information Administration has the latest statistics from 2016 on the CO2 emissions per gallon burned of each substance:

• 100% gasoline emits 19.6 pounds of CO2/gallon.
• 100% ethanol emits 12.7 pounds of CO2/gallon.
• E10 emits 17.6 pounds of CO2 from the fossil fuel content/gallon, but 18.9 pounds when considering the CO2 emitted from the ethanol in the mixture/gallon.
• Pure diesel fuel emits 22.4 pounds of CO2/gallon.
• B20 emits 17.9 pounds of CO2/gallon.

What Does This Mean?

B20 is slightly more environmentally friendly than E10 and far more efficient. However, B20 is not as abundantly sold, and neither are cars running on diesel fuel. Therefore, gasoline-powered cars continue to be the more convenient option.

Technically, the study done in 2004 by the Ford Motor Company was ahead of its time. Now, however, the car industry has moved on to electric vehicles, which, when powered by solar energy, top all fuel-powered vehicles. The case for diesel fuel may never be made with a new competitor in the field, but those wishing to choose between two fuel-powered engines should consider the availability of fuel and its benefits before choosing a vehicle.

With the global population now exceeding 7.6 billion, it’s important for everyone to take a proactive approach towards minimizing their impact on the environment. From using energy-efficient lighting to adjusting the thermostat, there are countless steps you can take to promote a cleaner environment in your daily life. However, there are also ways to go green when moving to a new home. If you’re planning to move, consider the following tips to create a green moving day experience.

1. Eco-Friendly Boxes and Packaging Materials

When shopping for moving supplies — boxes, packing paper, packing peanuts, etc. — make sure they are recyclable. According to Waste Management, approximately 70 percent of all cardboard boxes are recycled. Unfortunately, other supplies like packing peanuts are typically made of non-recyclable materials like Styrofoam. There are Eco-friendly alternatives available, however, such as corn or wheat packing peanuts.

2. Donate, Don’t Trash

You’ll inevitably have trash leftover from moving, and that’s okay. You can minimize your trash by giving away or donating unwanted items. Whether it’s furniture, clothes, toys or books, countless donation centers will gladly take your unused items. You won’t earn money by donating these items, but you’ll reduce landfill waste while promoting a cleaner environment in the process. Furthermore, some donation centers may pick up the items, eliminating the need to haul them off. And, as Cheap Movers San Diego points out, you can take a tax deduction for your charitable donations.

3. Recycle E-Waste

Electronic waste, also known as e-waste, is a major threat to the environment. When televisions, computers, smartphones and other electronic devices are thrown away, they release toxins and heavy metals into the soil and surrounding waterways. Rather than recycling their electronics, many people simply toss them in the trash. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), only 12.5 percent of e-waste is recycled. For a greener moving day, set aside all unwanted electronics for recycling. You can contact your city’s waste disposal center for more information on how to recycle your e-waste.

4. Move During the Day

Schedule your move for the middle of the day when the sun is shining. This will allow you and your moving crew to use sunlight for illumination instead of artificial lighting. You can open the blinds and curtains, using natural sunlight to guide the way. And if you’re still moving when the sun goes down, consider using energy-efficient lighting like compact-fluorescent lights (CFLs).

5. Rent a Larger Moving Truck

If you’re planning a DIY move, rent the largest moving truck available. While most truck rental companies charge more for larger trucks, it will reduce the number of trips you have to make, which in turn reduces exhaust emissions and wasted fuel.

These are just a few tips to create a green moving day experience. Once you’ve settled into your new home, you should evaluate your energy usage and look for other ways to make a positive impact.

As a homeowner, you can promote a cleaner environment and lower your monthly utility bills by making some simple changes to your lifestyle. And with the New Year officially here, there’s no better time to go green. 1. HVAC Tune-Up When neglected, heating, ventilating and cooling (HVAC) systems become less efficient; thus, consuming more power […]