 Reduce, Reuse and Pack! Moving soon? Think about the way you're packing and how changing a few things can help our environment by being sustainable. April Perkins, president of TheEcoDivas, shares a few tips. First things first, let's talk about cardboard boxes. The Economic Input-Output Life Cycle Assessment did a study on the environmental impact of packaging materials. The study found it takes 4,444 kilowatt hours of energy emitting 2,645 lbs of greenhouse gases in order to produce $1,000 worth of cardboard boxes. The U-Haul "free box" program is a great way of breaking this cardboard cycle. Reusing boxes reduces the need to produce more boxes. If you must buy boxes, then make sure to get the ones with recycled content. Another way to transport household items would be to use all of the reusable shopping bags you've amassed over the years. Luggage is also great to transport clothes, shoes, hats and coats. As for packing materials like peanuts, bubble wrap and Styrofoam, the alternative is to use tissue, newspaper, magazines, old towels and T-shirts. Try packing electronics using a pillow placed between components to protect them in shipping. Or use blankets, tablecloths and linens. Just as in everything sustainable, it takes looking at how you do something in a different light and then doing it differently. Visit www.TheEcoDivas.com for more tips to make sustainable decisions. Entrepreneur April Perkins publishes the wonderful weekly "Terra-zine". If you're ready to transform your life to be green and fabulous, get your FREE Eco-friendly tips now at www.TheEcoDivas.com. |