Limit Your Carbon Footprint During Your Next Office Move

So your office has gone green. That’s great news! But what do you do when it is time to move from one location to another? The fact is a single move could cost a one-ton tree its life, and that’s just for the boxes you will need to pack up your office. What’s a responsible manager to do?

Moving isn’t a very environmentally friendly endeavor. Still, there are some simple things you can do to ease the burden your office move may put on the globe.

Pack Smart

The average office move uses between 60-150 boxes, which amounts to about a one-ton tree. Luckily there are ways to limit your use of new boxes:

• Recycle boxes. If possible, reuse shipping boxes you already have lying around your office or warehouse.  Ask other businesses to save their boxes, too. That way, even if you need to use cardboard boxes, you will know that you won’t be killing any new trees to make them. And once you’ve unpacked in your new office, send those boxes off to someone else who can reuse them or drop them in the recycle bin.
• Rent boxes. If you need standardized boxes to help limit moving van space, consider renting boxes instead. This way you know they will be used over and over again.
• Use recycled plastic bins. These sturdy boxes are an excellent way to get the job done efficiently without waste. Keep in mind that you can reuse these plastic containers as many as 400 times!
• Use existing containers widely. Limit your use of packing crates and boxes by using items you already have. For instance, pack cleaning supplies inside of trash cans or office supplies inside of desk drawers or cabinets.
• Always opt for recycled materials. Anytime you can find biodegradable packing materials, like packing peanuts made of corn starch or plastic bubble wrap made using oil, opt for those.

Understand Your Environmental Fuel Cost

One of the biggest hits your move will have on the environment is in the carbon dioxide discharge from the moving trucks. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), moving your office contents just 10 miles in a large truck will emit about 40 pounds of CO₂ into the atmosphere. So how can you limit this exposure?

• Pack light. Only take what is necessary. If you only need 20 office chairs, don’t take 30. Donate the other 10 to a needing organization.
• Look for a moving company that uses biodiesel fuel. This can dramatically cut down on emissions, especially on longer moves.
• Use the smallest truck possible. The bigger the truck, the more CO₂ you will release into the environment.

Hire a Professional Moving Company

One of the best ways to ensure that your office move is handled in the most environmentally friendly manner is to hire a professional moving company like Expert Relocation Systems. Knowledgeable in every aspect of office moves and able to incorporate recycled products and efficient packing practices, you can rest assured that we will create the most eco-friendly move possible.

Don’t risk the environment during your next office transition. Call Expert Relocation Systems to plan and execute a green move!