Green Options » packing

Sustainable Suitcase: Three (Small) Things to Pack for Healthy, Green Travel

Lisa Kivirist — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 16:42:02 +0000

Plotting a mid-winter travel escape? While discussion on “green travel” tends to focus on the “where” you’re going – like the exotic Costa Rica ecotourism tour – remember you can add a sustainable twist to any trip anywhere with a dash of pre-planning. Focus on the process – the what you’re doing and how you’re doing it – wherever you go and green up any destination.

Here are three things that always land in my family’s suitcase. Lightweight and small, these items are easy to pack and offer multiple uses throughout the trip:

1. Something to Chase
Pack one small piece of sports gear that gets you moving, such as a Frisbee, foam football or hacky sack.

Shipping Holiday Gifts Without the Waste

Kristen Chase — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:31:30 +0000

Since we live far away from most of our close friends and family, we have to ship most of our gifts each year, which can end up being a pretty eco-unfriendly task considering the amount of wasteful shipping products out there. While we want our gifts to arrive completely unharmed, I want to make sure I’m not filling up the landfills with the three top offenders of shipping waste: styrofoam peanuts, brand new boxes, and plastic bubble wrap.

Thanks to my other gigs, I’ve got plenty of used packing materials laying around, all of which I reuse, or give to my kids for their art projects. In fact, our Christmas wrap is made entirely from brown packing paper stamped with carved potato stamps.

However, while you may not have those types of packing materials right in your closet, you probably have a few other things in there that will work well, and that won’t create more waste than necessary this holiday season.

Daily Tip: Moving Day

Amy Stodghill — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 16:05:10 +0000

Moving is a big task and can be a big hassle. Next time you’re getting ready for a big move, try to incorporate a few things that will help you save on waste and transport your things more efficiently.

Getting rid of stuff. Whether you’re moving from a bigger place to a smaller place, or just don’t want to move all of your old junk, moving is great at forcing you to pare down the things you don’t need. Instead of throwing everything away, see if you can donate unwanted clothing, furniture and other household items, or have a garage sale.

Avoid buying new boxes and packing materials. Start stocking up on used packing materials such as boxes and newspaper. Ask around at local retail businesses to breakdown and save boxes for you. Find out when they get their shipments in and pick your boxes up within a day or two after.

Another option is to rent reusable containers. If you’re in southern California try Earth Friendly Moving. They rent, sturdy containers for the duration of your move, then will pick them up when you’re done.

Pack dishes and other breakables securely in newspaper or old cloths, towels or blankets. Unlike bubble wrap (even if you’re reusing it), newspaper can be recycled, and the linens can be washed. There is, however, a brand of ecofriendly bubble wrap on the market called Bio-Bubble.

Make less trips. If you’re moving yourself, consider renting a large van or truck to make less trips. If you do use a personal car or truck, when loading up, think first about how to maximize the space to fit more in each trip (without overloading the vehicle.)

If you’re hiring a mover, do a little homework. While you may not find a green mover in your area, you can find out what kind of packing materials they use, if they recycle, or if they’ve ever thought about using biodiesel for their trucks.

Care 2 Green Living - Green Moving Guide

GO - Donate to Charity when Buying or Selling Your House

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