Eco-friendly storage tips and guide

Renting a storage unit is a great way to store some of the items you aren’t using on a daily basis. It gives you the opportunity to declutter your home. While having easy access to all your belongings stored there. But, in this day and age, you have to consider many factors when choosing a storage unit. From making sure that it’s affordable to ensure that it has good security. Eco-friendly storage is something that is becoming more and more popular. As climate change becomes more evident, people are looking at various ways to minimize their carbon footprint. So, how do you use storage in an environmentally friendly way? Here’s how. 

Eco-friendly storage stars with you!

We, humans, are one of the main reasons for many adverse effects on our climate. And it’s up to us to change our habits in order to be more eco-friendly. There are a lot of things that we can do to minimize both our carbon footprint and our overall impact on the ecology. And we should try and implement as many eco-friendly habits in as many activities possible. It doesn’t matter if you are moving to another home, or going grocery shopping, or even renting a storage unit. There a lot of things that you can do to make things better. Both for you at the moment, and for generations to come.

Eco-friendly solutions can actually save you money

A lot of people think that being eco-friendly means spending more money. And in some instances, yes. It can lead to that (which is ok, as long as the environment is better off for it). But, in this case, being eco-friendly can actually save you money. Both by not having to buy new storage boxes. And by having to drive a shorter route to your unit. So, after Professional Movers Ottawa is done moving your items, make sure you save those boxes. And everything else that can be reused. And don’t just throw away old magazines and flyers. They can be quite useful too. 

Choose a storage unit that is close by

Before we dive into what you can do inside your unit to make it into eco-friendly storage, we should talk about external factors. And one of them is driving. By driving your car, you are leaving a large carbon footprint. So, when looking for storage units Ottawa based, choose the one closest to you. That way you will minimize the amount of time it takes you to get to your unit. Thus, you will minimize your impact on the environment. Even if you are driving an electric vehicle, you are still contributing to traffic jams and slower transit times. Thus impacting the environment.

Packing for eco-friendly storage

The next item towards eco-friendly storage should be the way you store your items. It can have a huge impact on the environment. The best way to go about it is to use what you already have. You may have to be a little creative. But, using leftover moving boxes is much better than buying new ones. Even if you do end up recycling them, you are still leaving a mark. The best way to recycle items is to use them again. To give them a new purpose or to simply make them last as much as possible. Don’t have enough leftover moving boxes? No problem. You can use old shoe boxes, appliance boxes, or even leftover shopping bags.

Use blankets instead of plastic wrap

Aside from using moving boxes that you already have, there are many other items that you can utilize. For example, instead of buying plastic wrap, why not use blankets? Any old blanket will do when wrapping items for storage. And it will also provide good cushioning when packing fragile items. It’s a win-win. 

Old newspapers and magazines are great for packing items for eco-friendly storage

Don’t have enough cushioning materials? There’s no need to go to the hardware store. You probably get all kinds of spam mail, magazines, and newspapers on an almost daily basis. Those are all great when you need to cushion something inside a box. 

Choose a well-insulated storage unit for maximum efficiency

Choosing a storage unit is almost like choosing a home. You want it to be modern, in good condition, and to have all the amenities you need. And while you won’t need a home inspection when renting a storage unit. It still doesn’t hurt to check some of the basics. Choosing a well-insulated storage unit can have many benefits. For one, when choosing a climate-controlled storage unit, the AC won’t have to work as hard to maintain temperature. Both during summer and in the middle of the winter. And you’ll feel much more comfortable when you visit. It also means that you can dial down the wrapping and preparation of your belongings. 

Use the right type of boxes for your items

While choosing an eco-friendly storage solution can save you money. There are some areas where you shouldn’t skim. While plastic bins might seem like a better solution for storing items. They aren’t better for the environment. The best thing that you can do is to buy quality packing supplies Ottawa. Cardboard boxes have a lesser impact on the environment. Especially if they are bio-degradable. And by buying quality boxes, you’ll ensure that they last longer and protect your items properly. 

Eco-friendly storage is something that should be the norm

In the end, we only have one planet. And we need to take care of it the best way that we can. There are some big changes that we need to make. But also a lot of small ones. And eco-friendly storage is a great start. It’s both good for the environment as well as for your wallet. So, put in just a little bit extra effort. As it will pay off.