while the summer might not seem to be the most opportune time to pack all of one’s worldly posessions up and start a new path somewhere else, it is the peak moving season.

I thought that I would share with you some of the resources and tips I found out there that will help you to have a greener, lighter move.

the first essential of any move would definitely be BOXES. now there are tons of ways to get boxes for free through your local co-op or market, discount stores and wine shops, but what if you don’t have the means to schlep boxes home? what if you need something delivered to you? usedcardboardboxes.com will actually deliver flat packed gently used boxes right to your door. less expensive, less headaches, and eco-friendly? sign me up. they also offer an offset program on the site to help defer the footprint of the shipping process. when you are done with your boxes, you send them back–then they resell them or recycle them depending on the condition of the boxes. either way, the boxes are out of your hands and out of the landfills. pretty ingenious if you ask me.

I also found earth friendly moving which has taken the cradle to cradle theory quite literally. they reuse everything from hard to recycle bleach bottles to diapers to create the innovative products they offer. with the recopack moving system, they deliver recycled plastic containers and recycled packing paper to your door and then when the move is complete pick them up again in their all biodiesel fleet. they also offer poopy palettes which are made from discarded disposable diapers and countless other eco smart packing supplies.

I have found go green moving solutions which does work with earth friendly moving, they utilize recycled materials in all their moves, including furniture pads, but other than that the green national moving companies haven’t emerged just yet. so if you are transporting cross country, the next best choice is going to be in the way of offsets.

my final tip is one that is found on countless other sites, but I feel it is the most important. DONATE. purge your life of everything you haven’t used in 6 months and let it benefit someone else. Dress for Success will accept gently worn women’s career clothing, shoes and accessories and pass them on to women going back into the job force. a truly wonderful cause that empowers women who were abused, incarcerated or homeless. good will and salvation army will accept furnishings, clothes, toys, electronics and housewares. planet aid has bins set up to receive clothes and shoes. your local library will accept books, cds, dvds and other media. battered women’s shelters are ALWAYS in desperate need of the most basic items: women and children’s clothing, toys, books, sundries. and the best part is that most organizations will pick up your donations, so there really is no excuse not to.
I hope these tips will help you to experience a lighter, greener, less stressful move. for you and for the planet.

namaste.