Moving Without the Waste Blogging the NYT 01.21.2009

Moving often seems to be a part of the lifestyle of 20- and 30-somethings. Between my boyfriend and me, just the last four years have included five moves. We've finally found a place where we'll stay put for more than two years, and we couldn't be happier that we won't have to deal with moving in a couple of months. Like many people, we move ourselves, and since they're usually in-town, we are able to make do with about 10 or 15 boxes that we can move, unload, and then pack up again. But what about bigger moves? As this article in the New York Times points out, companies are starting to help make those moves greener. Jump below for the details.

Focusing on reusing plastic packing containers rather than cardboard boxes, companies are helping to make moves more eco-friendly. And they're trying to create a national network of reusable crates, spreading the good word about these plastic bins that are much more reusable than cardboard.

According to the article, cardboard boxes can be used for about four moves, and usually can handle seven rounds of recycling. But some plastic bins have been reused as many as 400 times--you do the math!

So, what do you think? Will the moving industry be changing to incorporate these reusable plastic bins? Have you ever used a service like this, or would you if it was available in your area?

Let us know!

Photo by Stephanie Diani for The New York Times

Comments (9)

I think this is a great 'move' ;)
Since moving across the country and knowing I'll probably have to move again and again i have invested in some big rubbermaid bins that are fantastic. In between I use them for many many other things: recycling bins, cat litter boxes, storage. I even have a bin full of the stuff that i have taken off the walls that I am sure the landlord would like us to return when we leave.

I wish there were a place that rented these out in Boston. I've moved 3 times in the past year!!!! Maybe I'll start the company...

Great minds think alike! There's a post about green moving on boingboing today that links to an article on Good magazine's blog: http://www.good.is/?p=14933

Also check out RentaGreenBox.com, self-titled "the first zero-waste pack and move solution in America."

I think this is an amazing idea. I try to re-use my boxes for my frequent moves, but they always end up becoming moldy or rats' nests (true story). I have a friend who turns her cardboard boxes into furniture that she gives away when she moves, reducing the amount of furniture to move in the first place.

You lost me when you used I as an object. Grammar 101, dear.

I can always borrow shipping cartons from work, so I don't think I'll ever need reusable plastic containers. But if I did find myself low on cartons, I would rent plastic boxes in a second.

We usually save boxes or get some produce boxes from the grocery. Maybe the reusable plastic box people need to target fruit vendors, too.

rick roberts: noted and corrected. my apologies. sometimes my 6 a.m. writing sessions let some poor grammar escape!

hipersons: yes, you should start it! :)

stiletto: i'd been getting boxes from work, too--the ones used for paper reams. i'm hoping by the next move, there will be a box rental place in my area.

I think these are great and wish I had them for my move. I used boxes for my recent move. Afterwards, I gave them to a friend to use for her move with the condition that she would use them gently and then post them on craigslist.

I used the plastic bin service and it was great. It cost about the same as buying new cardboard moving boxes (I worried about bugs so would not use old cardboard). They nest and were delivered and picked up and I had nothing to recycle or try to sell except some newsprint for the kitchen stuff. I highly recommend it.