Moving is a messy job, but someone has to do it - unfortunately, that someone is you. After a move, when you've unpacked your belongings and unwrapped all of your furniture and appliances, you'll typically find yourself surrounded by garbage. Empty boxes, used bubble wrap, plastic shrink wrap, packing peanuts and cardboard, all need to be disposed of in the proper way.
Whether you choose to throw it out, recycle it or even put it to use around your house, there are plenty of ways in which you can safely and properly dispose of your garbage. The following tips will help you learn more about the different methods for disposing of your moving garbage.
Using trash removal companies
In addition to the usual moving-related garbage that you'll have to dispose of after a move, like empty boxes and discarded packing materials, you may also come across some items that you feel you have no need for anymore in your new home, or things that simply don't fit with your new decor. Or perhaps you want to tear up the old carpet in your new home to replace it with something new. For larger items that you can't simply throw away, there are trash removal services that you can call who will come and pick up your discarded items from the curbside.
Always recycle when you can
Recycling is one of the most environmentally friendly ways of disposing of your moving garbage. Of course, you'll have to check with your new town or city to see what their recycling schedule is, and what kind of guidelines are in place as far as what you can recycle and how you should separate your recyclables for pick-up.
Here are some examples of the moving-related garbage that can be recycled:
- Paper: Paper items used during your move like unprinted newspaper, empty cardboard boxes, or packing paper can be recycled.
- Plastic: Whether it's used bubble wrap, plastic shrink wrap, plastic bottles, plastic ties or plastic shipping containers, you can also recycle any of your discarded plastic items.
- Glass/aluminum: Although they may not be common by-products of your move, you may also recycle glass and aluminum products.
Make your trash work for you
If you're looking for a green, alternative way of disposing of your moving trash, to benefit your new home, then there are plenty of ways in which you can use your trash to your advantage. Here are some of the ways to make your moving trash work for you:
- Using it as compost in your garden: If you've moved into a new home with a garden in the backyard and are looking for a way to get started on building the perfect garden, you may be surprised to find out that your moving trash can actually help. The list of trash you can use as compost is almost never-ending. You can use food byproducts like lobster shells, popcorn kernels, fruit and vegetable peelings, tea bags, coffee grounds and herbs and spices. But for moving garbage that you need to dispose of, paper items like napkins and towels, unprinted newspaper and even cardboard boxes, can be turned into compost for your garden.
- Reusing it around the house: You may be in a hurry to get rid of those empty cardboard boxes after your move, but if you really want to go green and save yourself some money in the process, you can put them to use around the house as extra storage for your belongings. You can reuse your moving boxes to store old clothes, toys, appliances, photo albums or even seasonal holiday decorations.
- Using your boxes to mail packages: A great way to reuse your empty cardboard moving boxes after a move is to keep them around for the next time you need to mail a large package. Whether it's a care package being sent to a family member or a gift that you need to send during the holidays, it's always a hassle to find a large box to ship it in. Reusing your moving boxes is a smart, inexpensive way to ship your packages.
- Getting creative with your trash: Of course, if you really think outside of the box, there are tons of other creative uses for your discarded moving garbage that can quickly turn your trash into treasure. For example, with a little creativity and imagination, you can turn those ordinary Styrofoam box-stuffers and sheets of plastic wrapping into an arts and crafts project for you or your children.
Photo by: Patpitchaya (Freedigitalphotos.net)