Sweet Greens

Approximately 35.1 million Americans move every year. Though many consider it far too stressful of a process to even think about keeping it sustainable, it’s actually surprisingly easy to incorporate a few eco-friendly practices into your moving process to minimize waste and prioritize sustainability. Here are just a few ways to help you reduce, reuse, and recycle while you relocate.

Use the containers you already have.

Though you’re bound to need a few cardboard boxes to pack your belongings, try to make the most of the containers you already have in your home. So before you seek out additional containers, fully pack all of the suitcases, duffel bags, dresser drawers, reusable shopping bags, and other containers around your home. Today the world makes and consumes about 600 billion pounds of plastic yearly, and many homeowners have additional plastic storage containers to make transporting your belongings simple and safe.

Of course, to get the most from this tip, you’ll need to think about how you pack in addition to what you pack.

“If you have an item that can fit other things inside of it, fill it up before packing it. For example, line your small bathroom trash bin with a fresh garbage bag and use it to store items from under your sink. The more you can fit in containers you already have, the more you can avoid having to rely on purchased moving boxes,” writes Laura Mueller on Moving.

Get creative with packing materials.

The last packing material you want to use during your move is those styrofoam packing peanuts. Little do most homeowners know, they’re virtually never necessary. What you can do is use your clothing, linens, and towels to cushion some of your more fragile items, like your television or dishware. As long as you pack a few layers of clothing in between the container and the items, you can prevent damage to your belongings and to the environment.

Before you throw anything away, donate everything you can.

Downsizing is an inevitable part of the moving process. Ideally, you’ll be able to start the process of going through all your belongings several weeks in advanced so that you don’t have to rush. Either way, don’t throw anything away that you think someone else could still get some use out of. Whether you drop it off at a local donation center, recycle it, or give it to a family member or friend, there’s no reason it should end up in the trash if it doesn’t have to be.

In addition to your personal belongings, this also applies to any materials you may have leftover after performing any home repairs prior to your move, for example, painting. Studies have shown that levels of several organics average two to five times higher indoors than outdoors, and when inhaled they can contribute to several health problems. With that in mind, don’t just let your extra paint end up in a landfill contributing toxins to the environment. Give it to someone who’s in the middle of their own home improvement project. If you have enough to give away and you have the time, a yard sale is a great way to downsize while bringing in some extra cash.

Consider hiring a ‘green’ moving company.

Finally, there are countless moving companies that have been making an effort to incorporate sustainable practices into their business plans. According to a 2011 report, 86% of consumers will pay more for a better experience, and though these services may sometimes cost a bit more, it’s well worth it to limit the impact you’re having on the environment.

“A green moving company will use trucks that run on biodiesel fuel instead of traditional gas and can also help set you up with reusable moving boxes so that you don’t have to worry about going the cardboard box route. Search reputable movers…and choose a mover that has a proven dedication to keeping the Earth clean,” writes Mueller.

What other ways have you kept the Earth in mind during your move? Tell us in the comments!

ICFs (Insulated Concrete Forms) are becoming an increasingly popular option for eco-friendly homeowners looking for a major sustainable boost. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, ICF walls can save homeowners 20% to 25% on annual heating and cooling costs, and they have countless other sustainable benefits as well. Of course, as is the case with any large-scale home improvement project, extra care during the installation process is critical to ensure proper use and prolonged durability upon completion. Here are just a few quick ways to stay safe and properly install ICFs in your home’s foundation.

Cover Up

Before you start this lengthy project, it’s important to suit up. Though this project, in particular, isn’t inherently dangerous, it’s always best to cover up with the appropriate protective gear to avoid injury and damage to the material. Since ICF forms are available in various shapes and sizes, those working with larger or heavier forms may feel safer wearing some sort of protective helmet or headgear. Helmet head liners typically only break in about 5%, but you never know when a helmet could protect you from injury in the event of a bizarre accident.Similarly, if you’ll be working outside during the daytime, it’s always important to protect your eyes from the harsh rays of the sun. About 75% of U.S. adults wear Rx or plano sunglasses, and protective eyewear is essential during any activity that involves you being outside for an extended period of time. Once you’re equipped with the proper gear, you’re ready to get started with the challenge of the installation process.

Mark Clearly and Place Forms

Once your building plan is in place, be careful when making your final markings that indicate exactly where you’re building. The layout on the ground should be to full scale to avoid discrepancies with measurements. Chalk powder is a great resource for marking the layout.

Precise measurements are necessary to dig the trenches as well, and they, too, should be according to scale.

“Once you’ve gotten everything marked, you will need to dig trenches for the foundation footings…The trenches should accommodate the insulated concrete forms securely without a lot of room on either side. With the trenches dug you can place the insulated concrete forms in the trenches,” says DoItYourself.

Don’t Rush Cure Time

Finally, once your ICFs are installed properly, they’ll need to cure for a set amount of time, which is usually around 28 days. Though you’re probably eager to continue the installation process, like rewiring, it’s essential to wait the full time to ensure proper adherence and durability. Don’t compromise the structural integrity of your ICFs just because you’re impatient — the wait is 100% worth it for the sustainable benefits.

Ultimately, installing ICF forms is undoubtedly a major home renovation project. Unless you have significant DIY home improvement experience, it’s always best to leave the job to a professional who’s worked with this material before. But as long as you take the proper care and ensure correct installation, you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of your home’s new ICF forms for years to come.

When homeowners think of DIY home renovation projects, they usually think of the work involved with the process itself, not the aftermath that comes with disposing of old materials. But properly disposing of these materials is critical, lest they end up as a space-hogging eyesore in your garage, shed, or basement. Keeping your storage space clear and the Earth in mind after any DIY home improvement project isn’t difficult; it just takes a bit of planning and prior knowledge. Here are just a few tips for properly disposing of the materials for any home improvement project you’re considering tackling this season.

Paints

Once you’ve finished a project involving paint, the last thing you want to do is throw the entire can in the dumpster, especially if there’s still some paint remaining. What you can do is donate any leftover paint to a neighbor, local community theater, or Habitat for Humanity. On average, it costs $30 per ton to recycle trash, and $50 per ton to send it to a landfill, so do your best to make sure no unused paint ends up in the trash.

As for empty paint cans, most are made of steel, which is among one of four of the most common metals used within the construction industry. With this in mind, they can be recycled, along with some other types of steel waste, including pipes and plumbing. If you’re unsure, contact your local waste management center.

Unneeded (But Still Usable) Appliances, Cabinets, Doors, Etc.

There’s a huge list of common home renovation materials that can be recycled. But before you resort to recycling, the U.S. Green Building Council highly recommends doing your best to donate, reuse, or otherwise repurpose these materials, which include appliances, bathroom fixtures, doors, flooring, ceiling tiles, bricks, cabinets, lighting fixtures, windows, pipes, landscaping materials, and more. A quick Google search will also reveal a number of programs designated to sustainably recycling a number of these renovation materials. And if all else fails, simply snap a quick photo of whatever it is you no longer need and post it to Craigslist under the ‘free’ section.

In 2016, the U.S. construction market was worth approximately $1,162 billion, but what’s even more shocking is that an estimated 30% of landfill waste comprises home renovation project materials, according to HomeAdvisor. With these statistics in mind, it should come as no surprise that proper construction material disposal can seriously increase sustainability.

“Recycling debris from a home remodeling project is not only good for the environment, it’s also good for your renovation budget. What you recycle can constitute a tax write-off, and some companies will pay you for the materials. From shingles to bricks, approximately 85% of all construction waste can be recycled, which means those numbers can add up. There are many ecological and economic benefits of recycling, instead of trashing, renovation debris,” says HomeAdvisor.

While disposing of old materials properly is always a smart and sustainable initiative, don’t underestimate the impact that you can have by going full circle and purchasing products made with recycled materials for your next home improvement project. For example, today, more than one-third of new paper is made with recycled fiber. The bottom line is that by keeping the Earth in mind through each and every step of the way, any home remodeling project can be performed as efficiently and sustainably as possible.