Guest Articles

Corporate Relocations

How To Do A ‘Green Move’

Presented by:

The following information was provided by Tyler Winkler 
Relocation Coordinator. For further information please contact

Tyler at (925) 787-3128 or visit the website at www.jhdrum.com

 

 

There is a growing trend these days of using “green” moving solutions to accomplish today’s corporate relocations in a more environmentally friendly way.  These trends generally focus on reuse and recycling efforts.

 

The EPA has established that the number one way to reduce solid waste in landfills is by reuse.  The method of reuse has been deemed far superior to that of recycling.  Here are two trends in corporate relocation that aid in the effort of reuse:

 

  1. Crate Moves vs. Box Moves:  Crate moves are the perfect example of a cost effective, more efficient and environmentally sustainable move solution.  Reusable crates can be used for office or household moves as an alternative to on-time use cardboard boxes.  In a recent study by the Reusable Pallet & Container Coalition, it was determined that as compared to corrugated boxes being made and used for corresponding applications, reusable plastic containers:

a)      Require 39% less total energy to produce

b)      Produce 95% less total solid waste

c)      Generate 29% less total greenhouse gas emissions

Crates have an average lifespan of 10 years during which the average crate used twice a month will eliminate over 360 boxes from landfill waste.  Given that one third of landfill waste is cardboard packaging material; crate moves make a significant contribution to reducing solid waste production.  Crate moves can save up to 40% off the cost of your move by using fewer units (1 crate typically holds 1.5-2 box loads), less labor and fewer truckloads needed.

 

  1. Furniture Refurbishing/Brokering:  Furniture refurbishing can make old, worn-out furniture look new again.  This can be accomplished through furniture touch-ups, repainting of metal furniture, reupholstering of panels and seating, the refinishing of all types of wood furniture and the modification of existing furniture.  Furniture brokers can help companies broker unwanted resalable furniture on the open, pre-owned furniture market. 

 

 

 

The following trends in green moves focus on recycling efforts:

 

  1. Electronics Recycling:  Every day approximately 137,000 computers are thrown out and 80% of these electronics end up in a landfill.  The improper disposal of electronics equipment is also a major source of toxic chemicals in the environment.  This can be minimized, if not avoided by recycling electronics.  Unwanted electronics can be picked up and recycled by e-waste vendors who will sell on where possible, refurbish or strip down and re-use components.  Recyclable electronics equipment includes computers, monitors, keyboards, mice, printers and televisions.

 

  1. Furniture Recycling:  Furniture that cannot be refurbished can still be recycled.  Furniture can be picked up by a local recycler and separated by material: metal, wood, fabric, etc., and then recycled, which avoids disposal in landfills.

 

  1. Carpet Recycling:   There are five methodologies available for carpet disposal: Total recycling (carpet to carpet); downcycling (taking the product and using it to produce items like automobile parts, park benches, or carpet backing); reuse (not-for-profit organizations will take used carpet, clean it, and then put it in their facilities.); burning the carpet for energy through a verifiable agency; and landfilling, which is not an environmentally friendly option. An estimated 5 billion pounds of carpet is sent to the landfill each year.  However, recycling is not free.  It will likely cost between 5 cents to 25 cents per pound of old carpet to recycle (carpet typically weighs about 4-5 pounds per square yard). The cost will depend on the kind of carpet you have, how it was installed and your geographic location. 

 

  1. Cable Recycling:   According to industry estimates, more than 60 billion feet of communications cabling has been installed in the United States over the last decade.  Generations of abandoned cables are dangerous and increase the fire fuel load in commercial buildings. By removing and recycling abandoned cable, buildings are made safer. Cable recycling programs offer contractors an easy and attractive way to handle site removal of cable, and will help minimize the amount of plastics from cables that is regularly sent to landfills.

 

 

For more information on help with your relocation, please contact:

 

Tyler Winkler

jhdrum & associates

925.787.3128

 

 

 

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