Packing materials are a necessity when you're planning a move – you have to condense and protect your possessions somehow. But those packing materials can add up to an awful lot of waste if you're not careful. For families who are concerned about their environmental footprint, this can be a problem. Luckily, it's getting much easier to find green packing materials. Whether you'll be packing up the house yourself or utilizing a moving company's packing service, you can ensure that your move is as green as possible by selecting environmentally friendly packing materials. Take a look at some options that you have when it comes to picking out your packing products.

Look For The Letters PCW

The traditional staple of any home packing effort is the cardboard box. They're inexpensive, easy to come by and available in a wide range of shapes and sizes, so it's no wonder that they're an important part of most moving experiences. But as you know, every cardboard box represents trees that had to be cut down to create the paper.

Look for boxes that have the letters PCW on the box. Those letters indicate that the cardboard boxes are recycled from post-consumer waste. If you're not familiar with that phrase, it means basically what it sounds like it means — post-consumer waste is trash that consumers have used, then recycled. This is distinct from pre-consumer recycled content that is mainly made of scrap materials that never left the factory. Generally, recycled products made of post-consumer waste are considered to have a greater benefit to the environment than other recycled products, so you should opt for these whenever possible.

Think Outside the Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap and foam peanuts are both made of products that take a long time to degrade. As a matter of fact, the material used to make foam peanuts can last in the environment for as long as a million years, and plastics take up 30% of landfill space. Bubble wrap and foam peanuts aren't items you're likely to save or reuse, either.

Instead of using these environmentally unfriendly items for cushioning, use recycled paper, or hold onto your daily newspaper instead of recycling it for a few weeks before you make your move, and use that instead. You can also use bed linens, towels, and even clothes to wrap up fragile items. You'll save space and use fewer boxes by using items that you'll have to pack anyway for cushioning.

You can also ask your moving company if they sell any environmentally friendly packing items. Companies that do a lot of shipping are starting to explore more environmentally friendly packing materials made from unexpected items like bamboo, mushrooms, and corn. Your moving company may have eco-friendly cushioning and stabilizing products that you're not aware of.

Consider Rentable Containers

Another option is to use hard plastic containers that can be rented from your moving and storage company or packing service. Plastic containers have several benefits over cardboard boxes. They're stackable, they can't be crushed or easily punctured, and with an airtight lid, you won't have to worry about moisture getting in or about anything falling out.

They're also long-lasting, and they can be recycled once they are no longer usable. By renting the containers, you can ensure they'll be reused once you're done with them, and you won't have to worry about finding a place to store them or a way to get rid of them once you're done moving. Just unpack your things and have the boxes picked up by the rental company.

When you're planning your move, make sure that you also consider ways to reduce the impact of your move on the environment. Ask a moving company how they can help you complete a green move. Contact a company like Bekins Van Lines Inc to get started.