Green moving Columbus Dispatch
ND: Kim, you have five (!) green businesses - which among other things, means you're probably familiar with the joys of moving. What elements of your business philosophy were you able to apply to the messy realities of moving?
Ah yes, the mountain of garbage created when moving is crazy! And it is all so voluminous. When my company headquarters moved 18 months ago we stuck with the 3 R's (Reduce, Re-Use & Recycle) to steer us through the moving wasteland. We had already reduced much of the paper files in our office into electronic bits of info by scanning and routing incoming mail on a daily basis over the last 5 years. So the heavy, clumsy files just didn't exist. In an effort to Re-use, we kept boxes from our move 5 years earlier using them for this move and we also re-used our modular furniture setup and retrofitted it to the space rather than buy new. Recycling took on new meaning because we moved an old warehouse that had been recycled into a high tech office building. We also recycled boxes, moving paper and old office equipment that we no longer needed rather than sending them to a landfill. The end result was that we reduced our moving expenses by about 20% and reduced our hassle factor by about 50% by moving with the 3R's in mind.
ND: Foam peanuts, bubble wrap, newspaper, and cardboard are the staples for anyone moving. Are these materials inherently bad for the environment and if so, are there any alternatives that you'd recommend?
My rule of thumb is to stay away from anything made from virgin materials or that can't be recycled (made into something else) when you move. Typical foam peanuts are plastic and made from non-renewable petroleum. I try to stay away from foam peanuts also because they are so messy - they stick to everything and can get loose outside - urgh!. Instead use newspaper because it can easily be recycled (even in a crumpled state!) after your move. If you are worried about getting newsprint on white dishes try to collect enough bubble wrap from things that have been shipped to you. It works well for packing the light colored breakables. A good way to keep materials out of the waste stream is to use them as long as possible, so reusing bubble wrap and keeping it for the next time you or a friend moves is a good option. Oh and to make sure that it is re-useable, skip or cut down on the packaging tape that can tear the wrap. As for boxing up your treasures, purchase moving boxes made from post consumer recycled content. Even better, ask around and find moving boxes from a friend or workmate who has recently moved. Pass on the re-used boxes to relocating others and when they are worn out put them in the recycling bin.
ND: Do you have any fun suggestions on reusing materials used during packing?
• Boxes can be made into temporary play forts or a playhouse for young children.
• Moving paper can be shredded and used as fill packing paper for sending holiday gifts.
• If you don't know of someone who needs your moving boxes and other supplies place a free ad online and make them available to anyone who will come and get them.