How to Properly Dispose of Garage Items During a Move

It's time to move and you forgot about all the things you've collected in the garage. You have cans of paint, varnish, and plenty of other unique chemicals found in half-empty containers.

When you're ready to move, you'll have to clean out the garage and figure out how to deal with these chemicals. It may not be a good idea to add a half-can of paint to your moving truck. It could open and cause a huge mess.

If you need to dispose of your garage items because you're moving, make sure you know the proper way to get rid of these items. Here are some of the things to consider when disposing of paint, varnish, and other garage items.

Disposing of Paint

Paint is the most common garage item needing to be disposed of before you move. Often, when updating rooms or painting doors, you end up with extra, which you might keep in case you need to do a touch-up.

Regardless of why you have five half cans of paint, it needs to go before you move. There are a few steps you want to take and a few options you have for disposal.

If you don't want to waste the paint, you can try to use it up on your walls before you move. Another option is to ask around and see if anybody could use the paint you have. Sometimes, local schools can use paint for art projects or other projects.

Another way to get rid of the paint without disposing of it is to contact your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore. They will usually accept latex paint. FreeCycle.org also offers another option to give away the paint.

Maybe you cannot find anybody to take your paint. If this is the case, you can dispose of the paint.

Start by hardening the paint by letting it dry out. When latex paint is hardened, it takes away some of the hazardous properties. You can dry it out in the sun, add kitty litter or newspaper to speed up the process, or even use a paint hardener to make it easier to throw away.

Make sure to check with your community, but many will allow you to throw out dried up paint with your household trash.

Disposing of Other Hazardous Garage Items

You probably have more than just paint hanging out in your garage. Maybe you have combustible materials, reactive materials, or toxic chemicals you need to get rid of before moving.

Getting rid of anything falling into the category of hazardous waste means you will need to read the labels and research your local county laws. Each county is ab it different and you should search "how to dispose of hazardous waste" + YOUR COUNTY" to find the right way to handle it.

Typically, you will either need to schedule a home pick up or find a drop off location for hazardous waste. Some materials may be recycled. If this is the case, you may be able to request a mail-in recycling kit for your hazardous materials.

It's also possible you can donate any hazardous items to a friend or a local company in need of the item. Depending on the items you need to dispose of, you may be able to take leftovers to businesses or charities in need.

Getting rid of any hazardous garage items is a part of making your move more eco-friendly. If you're looking to move in the most eco-friendly way possible, Chicago Green Box is ready to help with the right reusable moving boxes.

What Can You Expect From A Green Moving Company?

When you move, whether for a new job, for family, or for any other reason, you'll invest plenty of time and money into your move. It's a process as you have to move all your things from point A to point B.

Moving requires fuel, packing supplies, time, money, and other resources. If you want to move in the most eco-friendly way possible, hiring a moving company and renting plastic moving boxes is a good start.

However, you can't just hire any moving company. A green moving company will make your move more eco-friendly, but you need to know what to expect. Not all moving companies are green and some claim to be green but are not as eco-friendly as you might desire.

Here are a few of the things you can expect from a green moving company.

Minimum Cardboard Usage

While cardboard is recyclable, and a very popular choice for moving companies, green moving companies use very little cardboard. Instead, they will likely rent you reusable plastic moving boxes, which means far less cardboard to recycle or throw out after the move.

Packing Supplies Will Be Recyclable

Many of the most common packing supplies cannot be recycled, including clear plastic tape. In addition, most packing supplies are not easy to recycle, which means they end up in the trash most of the time.

Since a green moving company will use plastic moving boxes, there won't be much need for packing tape. In addition, they will likely recommend that you use your soft goods (towels, linens, clothing, etc.) for packing materials before purchasing anything additional.

Any packing materials you do buy will likely be recyclable.

Moving Trucks Will Use Biodiesel

Instead of moving trucks running on diesel, a green moving company will have trucks using biodiesel fuel made from biodegradable, natural sources.

Along with using a better, cleaner fuel in their trucks, a green moving company will also have trucks with battery-powered curbside lifts. These lifts don't require the engine of the truck to idle while the lift is being used. This ensures less fuel is used during the moving process.

Provide Connections to Location Recycling and Donation Sites

When you hire a green moving company, they will likely provide you with a list of places to donate things you don't need or want. They will also know where you can recycle anything you need to recycle from cardboard to old electronics.

Offer Eco-Friendly Storage Facilities

It's not uncommon to need storage during a move. Maybe you're moving from out of state and you need to store some of your things while shopping for a house. You may be living in a smaller apartment or even in a hotel temporarily.

If this is the case, a green moving company will either offer eco-friendly storage facilities or be able to recommend a green facility for you. Green storage facilities take advantage of natural light through skylights and windows. It's also common for these facilities to provide efficient insulation for climate control, along with recyclable and renewable containers for storage.

When it's time to move, you want to make sure you have the right green moving company for your needs. These are just a few of the many things you can expect from a green moving company. Look for these traits and ask plenty of questions before settling on the right moving company for you.

3 Items You Shouldn’t Forget to Recycle During a Move

Moving is stressful and things can end up forgotten. When you decide to move and you want to make your move as eco-friendly as possible, recycling becomes a big part of the process.

Using eco-friendly moving boxes from The Chicago Green Box is a good first step towards a more environmentally-friendly move. However, there are several other things you can do, including recycling anything and everything you can. Here are three things you want to make sure you don't forget to recycle during a move.

Cardboard Boxes

While you should certainly ditch the cardboard and rent eco-friendly boxes, you may still end up using some cardboard boxes, especially if you already own them. Don't forget to recycle these boxes as they serve very little purpose once they've been used in a move.

If you decide to purchase cardboard boxes, make sure you get boxes that can be recycled. The real problem with cardboard comes when a box gets wet or something else on it, such as soap or oil. Once the box has become wet or soiled, it can no longer be recycled.

When you need boxes for your move if you want to ensure it's as eco-friendly as possible, rent boxes from The Chicago Green Box. You won't need to worry about recycling cardboard boxes when you're done moving or which boxes can be recycled and which cannot.

Packing Materials

An eco-friendly move means you'll likely try to use all your soft goods as packing materials before buying anything additional. While towels, sweaters, t-shirts, and bedding make great packing materials, you may end up needing more than what you already own.

Make sure to only purchase packing materials you can recycle. Then, when the move is over, gather all your packing materials and find a local recycling facility to drop them off at.

Old Electronics

Moving presents one of the best times to go through your things and get rid of what you don't need or want anymore. If you've been hoarding old electronics, such as laptop computers, tablets, smartphones, or anything else, now is the time to sell or recycle your old electronics.

Even if you cannot recycle the entire item, you can usually recycle the battery. By recycling old electronics, you'll be protecting the environment from the chemicals found within these devices. You'll also be helping to save energy and ensure the harmful chemicals in these devices don't end up in the environment.

Make sure to choose a certified electronics recycler for your devices. Not all recyclers are certified to properly recycle electronics.

Of course, if you have an electronics item you don't need, but someone else can use, you may want to consider selling it first. If the item is too old to sell or doesn't work, make sure to recycle it.

Moving is a great time to go through the things you own and sell, donate, or recycle anything you don't need or want. Take the time to go through everything you own, including your electronics. You might be surprised what can be sold, donated, or recycles before your move, which will reduce the number of boxes and, potentially, the size of the truck you need for your move.

How to Know if You're Using a Green Moving Company

Spotting a green moving company isn't really that difficult if you know what to look for. Moving companies often provide trucks, boxes, packing supplies, and other items to aid in your move. The easiest way to know if you're using a green moving company is to look at the options they offer.

The Type of Boxes Offered

Cardboard boxes are not the most eco-friendly option. Most green moving companies, like Chicago GreenBox, will offer reusable moving boxes. These eco-friendly moving boxes offer a better choice than cardboard for the environment, the protection of your things, and for your wallet, in some cases.

Green moving companies don't use much if any cardboard because it's not reusable like plastic moving boxes. This is the first sign you're using a green moving company.

Biodiesel Trucks

Most moving trucks used by moving companies will run on diesel fuel. This type of fuel puts harmful toxins into the air we breathe and pollutes the earth.

Green moving companies will use trucks that run on biodiesel fuel. This type of fuel will burn cleaner and it's made from renewable sources, such as vegetable oils. They may also have trucks with battery-operated lift gates to ensure trucks don't need to idle while using the liftgate.

Eco-Friendly Packing Supplies

A green moving company will offer eco-friendly packing supplies made from recycled materials and/or recyclable. Green movers offer plenty of packing supplies you can use and most will be able to be recycled when you’re done. In addition, by offering plastic reusable boxes, you won't need nearly as much packing tape, which isn't recyclable.

Plastic moving boxes seal without the need for tape or adhesive. These boxes help to make your move greener and the moving company more eco-friendly.

Offer or Recommend Green Storage Facilities

Sometimes, when you move, you need a storage unit temporarily or for the length of your time in your new home. Green moving companies may also offer green storage facilities. If they don't, they should be able to recommend a green facility for your storage needs.

A Strong Commitment to the Community

A sign of many green moving companies is their commitment to the local community. When they decide to be an eco-friendly moving company, they have already decided they care about the community.

In addition, most green moving companies will show an even bigger commitment to the local community through charity, sponsorships, and the spread of environmental awareness. If a moving company has a strong commitment to the community, there's a good chance they employ eco-friendly practices.

There are several things to look for when you want to know if you're using a green moving company. Some will even be certified as eco-friendly, while others may not advertise their green practices as much.

Usually, asking about the type of fuel used in their trucks and the type of moving boxes they offer will give you a clear picture of whether they are a green moving company or a traditional moving company. If you want to make sure you use a green moving company for your next move, this article will help you figure it out.

Cost-Effective Ways to Pack for Your Move

Packing is a huge part of moving, whether you're moving across the city or out of the state. Finding ways to pack your things without breaking the bank matters. There are several cost-effective ways to pack for your move and here are some of the best choices.

Rent Plastic Moving Boxes

Chicago GreenBox offers eco-friendly plastic moving boxes you can rent. Instead of spending money on cardboard moving boxes, renting boxes may be a more cost-effective solution. In addition to the cost-effective benefits, when you rent plastic moving boxes you'll be choosing to move in a more eco-friendly way.

Use What You Already Have

You probably own suitcases, some boxes, bags, and other things you can use for packing. Even reusable grocery bags may help with some of the packing.

Instead of spending money on boxes, use what you have first, and then rent the moving boxes you need for the rest of your things. Pack with what you already own first and you won't need to buy as many supplies. In addition, towels and other soft items can be used to protect items and keep you from needing as much bubble wrap or other packing items.

Minimalize First

Before you start packing for your move, take the time to minimalize. If you have old things you don't use or need, sell them, donate them, or trash them. Go through your things and decide what you really need to take with you and what can be sold, donated, or thrown away.

By minimalizing first, you won't need nearly as many moving supplies. You can save money by using this cost-effective strategy to minimize the items needing to be moved.

Use Cheap Balloons Instead of Air-Pillows

Air-pillow packing can be very expensive. You don't have to spend money on this type of packing material when the dollar store will sell you balloons for super cheap.

In addition, with balloons, you can control how large you make them fill the space needed to be filled perfectly.

Shredded Paper Replaces Packing Peanuts

If you have a shredder or you can rip up paper you already have, you can use it in the place of packing peanuts. You don't need to spend money on packing peanuts to pack fragile items you don't want to break. Shredded paper of any type can work well as a packing filler and save you some money.

Fill All Your Containers First

We already talked about using what you have, but many people forget to fill their hamper, baskets, and other items they already own. Even dresser drawers can be filled and packed separately to make furniture easier to carry. You can even cover drawers in plastic wrap to help protect the items inside.

Move in the Offseason

While it's not necessarily a tip for cost-effective packing for a move, when you move in the offseason, the cost of moving will be lower. Moving companies need the businesses and they will be more likely to provide discounts on the packing supplies you do need during the off-season.

The most cost-effective move will include renting plastic moving boxes, using your own things first, and minimalizing as best you can. Chicago GreenBox offers excellent reusable moving boxes, which make a great choice for a cost-effective move.

Top 3 Traits of a Green Moving Company

When it's time to move, it's not time to ignore your eco-friendly lifestyle. Instead, it's time to find a green moving company and embrace the ability to move in an eco-friendly way. Here are three traits you will find with any good green moving company.

1 - The Moving Trucks

The first place to start when looking for a green moving company is the transport they offer. Bio-diesel trucks are a good option or for a long-distance move companies using larger trucks with the ability to move multiple clients at the same time is a good practice.

The trucks provided by a moving company are a dead give-away and will show you if they are a green moving company or not. Look for bio-diesel trucks, hybrid trucks, or any other type of truck designed to use less fuel.

2 - Reusable Box Rentals

While cardboard boxes can be recycled, they are not the greenest solution for packing. The best green moving companies offer reusable moving boxes you can rent. Usually, these are plastic bins, which protect your belongings far better than cardboard and they are eco-friendly.

Cardboard will become vulnerable in bad weather or under too much weight. Reusable plastic moving boxes are designed to hold more weight and they protect your belongings even in rain.

When a moving company offers reusable box rentals, they are likely an eco-friendly choice. The best green moving companies will offer only eco-friendly options for packing your belongings.

3 - Fewer Packing Supplies

Since green moving companies offer reusable boxes made of plastic, you won't need nearly as many packing supplies. These companies don't always offer any moving supplies that cannot be recycled, which includes many of the traditional options.

The plastic boxes you can rent will seal without tape and protect your things far better than cardboard. You can even use your own towels and blankets to help make your packing supplies even more eco-friendly.

Some green moving companies will offer Oxo-biodegradable bubble wrap and biodegradable foam peanuts for packing. These packing supplies are far more eco-friendly than the supplies sold by most moving companies.

These three traits are pretty common with truly green moving companies and they provide plenty of benefits. When you choose a green moving company in Chicago for your move, you'll benefit in many ways including:

• No need to break down cardboard boxes or find a place to recycle them

• More social responsibility throughout your move

• Ability to utilize green storage, if necessary

• Connections to the local donation/recycling sites

• Better protection for your items

• And more!

A green moving company will help you gain peace of mind as you prepare to make your move to Chicago as eco-friendly as possible. There are several other things you can do on your end to make your move more eco-friendly. However, choosing the right green moving company is a huge start.

Not all moving companies are created equal. Make sure you research the choices available to you and ask questions about their business practices. An eco-friendly moving company will make a difference, even if you're just moving a few miles away.

How To Utilize Greener Transport During Your Move

Moving isn't always the most eco-friendly process on the planet. You might end up using and throwing away supplies that are not great for the environment. It's possible you could do quite a bit of harm with your move if you're not careful.

Choosing packing supplies, renting eco-friendly moving boxes, and finding greener transport for your move make a difference. There are several tips you can consider when you want to ensure your move is as eco-friendly as possible. However, finding the right transport can be a bit difficult. Here's a quick look at how to ensure your transport is as green as possible.

Eco-Friendly Moving Companies

The best option for your green transport is to find an eco-friendly moving company. While the first thing that comes to mind with a moving truck is the fuel usage, there are several other things to consider. Eco-friendly moving companies not only provide lower-emissions trucks but they also:

• Provide rentable boxes or recycled cardboard boxes

• Use LED bulbs in their cargo areas

• Offer eco-friendly packing supplies

• And, more!

A truly eco-friendly moving company will go above and beyond to ensure they use green practices in every area of their business. Of course, one of the easiest ways to ensure a moving company is eco-friendly is the fuel they use.

With more moving companies choosing trucks that run on bio-diesel, you can easily spot a green moving company. Bio-diesel is a cleaner fuel compared to regular diesel and offers a solution to your green transport needs.

Lighten Your Load

While finding greener transport is important for an eco-friendly move, you can also lighten your load to make the transportation portion of the move greener. The more you pack into a moving truck, the more fuel it will burn to get those items from point A to point B, and the less eco-friendly your move will become.

Take the time to reduce your belongings before you pack for your move. Donate or sell things you don't need or want anymore, recycle anything you can, and reduce the amount of things you're moving to make your transport greener.

Make Only One Trip

Whether you're moving locally in Chicago or from another city to Chicago, make the move in just one trip. Even if you're just moving a few blocks down the road, making more than one trip causes your transportation to burn more gas and become less eco-friendly.

Pack up your vehicle, along with the moving truck so that you only have to make one trip from your old home to your new home. Reducing the number of trips to just one is the easiest way to ensure you're move is as green as possible.

Finding and using greener transport for your move isn't always easy. You may have to ask questions and do a bit of research to find the right moving company. However, it's worth it when you realize your move is as eco-friendly as possible.

Top creative ideas for eco-friendly wrapping your items

You don’t have to purchase bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and cardboard boxes in order to move to a new home. You can actually use a bundle of other things that you already own, as well as products that won’t cause additional waste.

Sometimes people want to buy all new products to move their belongings and then they end up thrown away and added to the landfills. You can have an eco-friendly move that will be just as successful as a move that had money put into non-eco-friendly materials. Skip the cardboard boxes and try these eco-friendly solutions instead.

Using stuff you already own

One of the easiest ways to be eco-friendly on your move is to start looking at the things you own that can actually be utilized as a moving container or a packing protector. For example, instead of packing your suitcase, simply use it to pack things like your wardrobe or books.

Those tote bags that you have laying around may work great for packing items like toys or kitchen utensils. That collection of garbage bags or vacuum bags in the pantry are great for packing anything lightweight and unbreakable, like pillows or curtains.

Utilize briefcases to hold electronics like laptops, CDs, or even documents. Your backpacks lying around the house will be great for packing some essentials to get you started at the new house. Use baskets and hampers to pack things like shoes, toys, or clothes. Surprisingly you can use trash cans for packing, as well as beer boxes and crates.

Alternatives to bubble wrap

Now that you are thinking outside the box on your packing boxes, you can start getting creative with alternatives to bubble wrap and packing peanuts. You likely have a stack of newspapers or magazines around the house, and rather than tossing them or packing them to take with you, they would make great packing paper for you. If you have a pile of shredded office paper that you haven’t discarded yet, you can also use that as an alternative to packing peanuts.

Look around the house for things that would help you pack better. Your linen closet is full of sheets, blankets, and towels that would be great for your fragile items. You likely have old clothes or out-of-season clothes that can help you wrap things up too.

Even things like yarn, sponges, fabric napkins, and handkerchiefs will be great for fill in empty spaces and protecting items in containers. When you go to pack your kitchen, use small bags of popcorn, beans, lentils, and peanuts to fill in empty space in moving boxes.

Choosing eco-friendly moving boxes

The best way to go eco on this move and avoid more waste is to swap your moving supply budget for renting reusable, green moving boxes. These are perfect for your move since they offer more protection than cardboard boxes and you won’t have to worry about the waste they cause. Eco-friendly moving containers can be used for your move and then picked up after you’ve unpacked. Rather than wrapping fragile items in your old clothes and putting it into a bunch of purchased cardboard boxes, you can put them into these nice, plastic containers that will stack neatly in the moving truck and once put away in your new home, it will be like it was living there the whole time.

There is no wasted purchase of boxes, shipping tape, labels, packing peanuts, or any other typical moving supply. You’ll simple wrap up your items and place them in a reusable bin until it arrives at destination.

Use these creative tips for wrapping your household goods for your upcoming move.