Do your part for the Planet and make a "Green" Move There’s no doubt about it – we just seem to collect “stuff,” and our lifestyles create a lot of waste. Those facts are never more evident than when you’re packing and unpacking for a move. This year, more than 3.5 million Canadians will pack up their households and move. If you’re among them, remember to watch out for Mother Earth in the process by considering these environment-friendly moving tips.

Green moving does not mean that you have to put all your belongings in a mule cart, wrapped in old newspapers and cart it across the country.

Green moving means being aware of our environment and employing methods that are not harmful to it. Green moving is a growing trend when moving. It involves changing practices that have historically been big on waste such as throwing away cardboard boxes and bubble wrap or moving your belongings in moving trucks that are not using biofuels. Green moving means taking a close look at how you manage your move and adjust to looking at the world through green glasses.

Don’t accumulate too much stuff. Less is better for the environment anyway, and the less stuff you move, the less diesel your moving truck will burn. Green moving can also translate into more "green" for you because you’ll likely spend less to move your household.

Consider holding a garage sale, or selling your unnecessary items online at Craigslist or through eBay.

Buy or rent used cardboard boxes. Look for boxes made of recycled material. take advantage of companies that offer reusable packing crates, which can eliminate that waste.

Cut back on the bubble wrap. You can use old newspapers for non-fragile items, or even old sheets or towels as packing material. These weigh more and don’t offer as much benefit as the lighter bubble wrap, but anything you can do to cut back helps.

Look for environmentally-friendly cleaning products when moving out.

Ask moving companies if they use bio-diesel trucks, moving pads made of 100% recycled cotton and rents packing crates.