Now, I'm not a usual moving customer. I'm sure the average consumer out there really could care less. Yet, the carbon footprint the industry of moving leaves on our country is very large. I know that these changes, if they happen at all, will be a very, very gradual process. However, if we start thinking ahead and into the future, and we start to begin to make those changes little by little, the future of the transportation industry could be extremely environmentally friendly. Here are just some ways we can think about making a chage. Ask your local mover if they offer any of these services, you might get lucky!

1) Reusable boxes
Currently the United States moving industry uses a high number of corrugated cardboard boxes. Approximately 50-100 boxes will be used to move an average size home. If you're going to be moving, why not check www.craigslist.org in your city to see if anyone is offering free moving boxes?

One alternative to the use of cardboard boxes is to rent reusable boxes. In the Vancouver and Seattle areas, a company called Frogbox is trying to encourage the moving industry to do just that. Frog boxes are reusable boxes that are rentable for a weekly charge. They will even deliver and pick up when done! Why spend money on cardboard which has a high cost on the environment. If everyone used frog boxes, or a cardboard alternative, it would definitely make for a greener move!

When asked recently, Brooke Banwer of Banwer Transfer Moving and Storage said that after learning about Frog Box at a marketing event, she feels that for safety purposes, cardboard boxes are still recognized as the standard, but she plans to recommend their use to customers moving locally within the Puget Sound and Pacific Northwest region.

2) Biodegradable Packaging
Some of the packaging used in the moving process is plastic packaging tape, plastic bubble wrap, and newsprint paper. Thankfully newsprint paper can be recycled many times before it is not able to be used again. However, often times plastic packaging tape and bubble wrap can pile up in our landfills. Why not try a biodegradable alternative? In 2006, Treehugger.com reported that German manufacturers had developed a biodegradable packaging tape. We should begin to eliminate plastic tape all together and find greener alternatives. 

Another company offering a new and innovative solution to moving and packaging is www.EcoBox.com. EcoBox is an online website offering recycled and biodegradable supplies for packaging.

3) Wouldn't it be great if Semi-trucks could run on bio diesel?
It is possible for semi trucks to be able to be fitted in order to run on bio diesel. Currently the cost of bio diesel and the availability throughout the country makes it nearly impossible for a fleet of cross country semi tractor trailers and large moving trucks to get from point A to point B wholly on the use of the fuel. As the search for alternative fuels and environmentally friendly alternatives continues, we should urge our congress people to help craft laws which will make bio diesel and alternative fuels available on a widespread and economically feasible basis.

Although their trucks do not run on bio diesel, one van lines I found that is attempting to make a small difference in the environment is National Van Lines. Maureen Beal, the CEO of National Van Lines has been a long time supporter of Wyland, the nature artist. Many of National Van Lines' trucks feature beautiful undersea scenes with whales. The Wyland Foundation is known throughout the world for educating people, and bringing attention the magical world beneath the sea.

4) Green Crating
This idea stems from the fact that when items of high value, antiques, or easily damageable items such as plasma TV's are moved, they are often crated in wood. Now, I don't know about you, but I'd like to see the trees stay around for a while. Why use new wood when you can use recycled wood. The people at Atlas Wood Products seem to have a great idea going. They offer green crating services and create their dollies out of recycled hardwood blocking. It's unfortunate that they are only in the Philadelphia area. It would be great if they could offer their services in other eco minded areas, such as the Pacific Northwest. They'd do great in Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver!

5) Go paperless!
I had to move once, and I had about 5 different companies come to my home to give me an estimate for the cost. Each of those companies gave me a packet with... the same information!! Although I feel it is extremely important to read this material because when I'm paying more than $5k to any company, I'm going to read the fine print. However, I own a computer. I have email. Send me the information in PDF format! If you want to save some trees, give me this information in your sales pitch. The only pieces of paper I want from a mover is their business card and their estimate.

If you're planning on moving in the near future, here are some resources and websites you should look at:
www.moving.org
www.protectyourmove.gov
www.bbb.org

Recommended for Further Reading
www.treehugger.com
www.biodieselnow.com