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Moving is one of those miserable undertakings in life that we all have to deal with. But when you are moving across country, it can be notably more miserable. Not only is it expensive and potentially dangerous, it is also horrible for the environment. The more weight a gasoline-powered vehicle carries, the more gas it burns.
How can you move across this country in an ecologically responsible fashion?
- Lighten your load. Clear the clutter from your home. Don't bring your collection of Precious Moments figurines or your mounted antelope head. You don't need them. Sell them or donate them to charity. Bring only the essentials. If you must have bric-a-brac, buy it locally in your new township.
- Ship your furniture by train. Don't rent a truck. You can ship your furniture by train almost anywhere. Trains are very eco-friendly in comparison to semi-trucks.
- Move yourself by train. Why drive at all when you can ship your car by freight? Amtrak allows its customers to pack their cars on a few choice routes. If you're not on a pack-your-car route, you'll probably have to ship your car via freight train and yourself via passenger train. This will save undue wear and tear on your car and the environment.
- Rent a biodiesel Truck Southern California has a green moving service that rents out trucks powered by biodiesel. This is such a good idea that I'm sure it will spread to the rest of the US in a few short years.
- Use recyclable and/or recycled boxes and no packing peanuts. When you are done moving, don’t trash those boxes. Give them to someone else who is moving. Put an ad on Craigslist. People are always looking for boxes.
- Make your car fuel efficient. There are some instances where you may have to use your car to move across country. Make sure that your car is as fuel-efficient as possible. Pump up your tires, clean your filters, replace your spark plugs, etc.
More on Green Travel:
Plan a Greener, Cheaper Trip Home During the Busiest Travel Time of the Year
Plan a Long Distance Cycling Trip and How
5 Easy Eco Travel Tips That Make a Difference
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