Moving is obviously stressful on the people relocating, but have you ever thought about what it does to the environment? As you plan your move, give some thought to how to properly dispose of some of that junk you won’t be taking with you.
Most cities have some sort of recycling program in place – curbside pick-up or recycling depots are the norm. But, before you chuck everything into that recycling bin, find out if it can be recycled in your area. There are quite a few website that can help lead you in the right direction, including your city’s waste management site.
Think Green
As you get ready to move, try to be as earth-friendly as possible. So, try and use packing supplies that can be recycled such as paper and cardboard rather than plastic and Styrofoam. To protect your fragile items, use blankets, towels, and sheets. Instead of buying new boxes, ask your local grocery store if you can take them on shipment days.
What’s Easy to Recycle?
As you clean out your garage when you are getting ready to move, you might be able to recycle a lot of that stuff. Here’s a quick list of commonly recycled items:
- Plastics (Grades 1 and 2)
- Glass bottles and jars
- Aluminum and stainless steel cans
- Paper – newspapers, magazines, wrapping paper, envelopes, copy paper, and so on.
- Cardboard
- Electronics (though only at the proper receptacles.)
What Can’t Be Recycled?
Unfortunately, there are some things that can’t be recycled.
- Styrofoam
- Plastics (higher grades, but check your local waste management)
- Laminated papers
- Plate glass and mirrors
- Medications
- Paints and solvents
- Antifreeze
- Pesticides
- Car batteries
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