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Dispose of Unused Items in a Green Way

In a world where there couldn’t be more eco-friendly resources available, there is one important issue that we tend to let slip under our green radar: garbage. The Pacific Ocean’s garbage patch, an area of widely dispersed trash that doubles in size every decade and is now believed to be roughly twice the size of Texas, stands (or rather, floats) as a reminder that discussing environmentally conscious methods of disposing items isn’t trash talk.

Moving is a time for re-evaluating, re-assessing, and purging. Finding eco-friendly methods of disposing of your unused goods won’t only benefit the environment, but will help you feel you are having a fresh (and guilt-free!) start in your new home. For a crash course on trash removal, read the following tips on how to dispose of unwanted items throughout your moving process:

Pack less. The guiding principle of green moving is that less is more. Transporting less means saving on fuel and lowering gas emissions. The less belongings you move, the less moving trucks you need and the less gas you will burn. You will save money, too. Old newspapers and magazines you have no use for can, of course, be used for packing. Shredded papers can be used to cushion fragile items, including glass and silverware. Conserving on space can also save you paying for extra trucks or extra trips during your move, so be sure to fill hollow items when possible, using clothing or towels you’re taking with you to cushion boxes.

Donate or sell items. One person’s trash is another person’s treasure! The classic option is to have a garage sale, and don’t forget about charitable organizations like Salvation Army. You can also post an ad on online directories like Craigslist to either sell or give away your unwanted items. If you want someone to come and take your unwanted items that are still in usable condition, these days all it takes is to type up a description of your item, post it on the internet, and just watch people more than happy to take care of it for you come running!

Use green trash removal companies. If you have any household belongings, furniture, or clothing that you are looking to dispose of, there are also companies who will do it for you in ways that aren’t harmful to the planet. They typically get rid of mattresses, carpets, and other miscellaneous items that you’re not sure whether you should donate, sell, recycle, or just plain aren’t sure what to do with.

Dispose of hazardous items properly. The garage, the room between your home and outdoors, can often become a sort “disposal purgatory”, a dumping zone for items that you either aren’t quite ready to throw away or simply aren’t sure how. The vast majority of moving companies do not allow the transportation of flammable, explosive, or corrosive materials, so be sure to make the proper inquiries and arrangements to have them disposed of safely before your move. Some of the random things you will likely find in your garage that your local garbage truck won’t pick up include used oil and filters, coolant, paint, gasoline, tires, brake fluid, and batteries. The toxic lead in car batteries can contaminate groundwater. Thankfully, they are recyclable. Many shops that sell batteries will take in old ones. If not, your city or town will have a place to drop them off. If you have paint you’re looking to get rid of, you should see if there are any local charities, or theatre groups (great place to donate clothing, too) who can make use of them. Many municipalities collect paint for reuse, recycling, or, as a last resort, proper disposal through local Household Hazardous Waste collection programs. In Canada, each province, territory, and municipality has its own regulations for disposing of tires and other hazardous goods, so be sure to contact your local officials in your area or to research your province’s government site to find out the proper disposal methods for hazardous goods in your area.

Compost. During the process of packing and moving you can accumulate many compostable items that there is no good reason to throw away with the trash. Such items include paper napkins and towels, unwanted herbs and spices, vegetables, tea bags, leaves and pine needles, flowers, weeds, grass clippings, and unwanted house plants.

While it’s a familiar cliché that being “responsible” goes hand-in-hand with “takin’ out the trash”, a truly responsible individual will take the time and effort to minimize wasteful disposal during their moving process, and to ensure that hazardous items are disposed of properly. A true clean is a green clean.