TEE CEE’S TIP

Dear Tee Cee, I’m moving soon and wondered if you have any tips to cut down on waste. The last time I moved, there was so much stuff and packaging that got thrown away, it felt awful.— K.T.

Dear K.T., As someone who just moved, I hear you! All sorts of waste (and headaches) can pile up before, during and after moving. But here are several strategies to make your move more eco-friendly while even saving you money:

• Declutter and donate: Before boxing everything up, ask yourself if there’s anything you don’t need or want that could be donated. Check out Eco-cycle’s Tour de Thrift map at ecocycle.org for secondhand stores throughout Boulder County where you can donate books, art supplies, tools, games, clothing, music, furniture and much more.

• Recycle unusable items: If an item isn’t in good enough shape to be donated, it may be recyclable. Eco-cycle’s Center for Hard-to-recycle Materials (CHARM) accepts items like electronics, large and small appliances, books (those in good shape are redistributed, those in bad shape are recycled), and old mattresses. View the full list and any applicable fees at ecocycle.org/ charm.

• Save money by reusing boxes: Ask your moving supply business if they have reused boxes (some offer them for free or for a reduced cost). Or check with your local grocery or liquor stores. Consider posting to your social media platform of choice to ask if neighbors have boxes in good shape that they don’t need. After your move, ask if your moving supply company wants the boxes back or offer them through a social post.

• Use recyclable or reusable packaging materials: Cardboard, brown kraft paper, and newspaper are all great packing materials and easily recyclable in your curbside bin. Polystyrene white block foam (like the stuff used to pack TVS and computers), plastic film and bubble wrap aren’t recyclable at the curb, but can be taken to Eco-cycle’s CHARM or the Longmont Waste Diversion Center. Polystyrene packaging peanuts are not accepted for recycling, though some packaging stores or other small businesses may accept them for reuse to ship products. Consider using dish and bath towels as reusable packing alternatives.

• Before you toss, check the guide: As you’re in the moving frenzy and need quick answers at your fingertips, consult the free Eco-cycle A-Z Recycling Guide or the Longmont Waste Wizard apps for info on recycling or reusing hundreds of different items.

May your move be both stressfree and sustainable!