Can moving be green?
I'm just back from a few days off to move to my new house in South Baltimore. We're talking about ways to clean green and we're talking about getting a rain barrel. But more immediately, we're looking for tips on what to do with all the stuff we don't want.
We've gone to Goodwill with clothes and kitchen stuff, to the Book Escape with books (there's also the Book Thing that gives away books), Sound Garden with CDs and Second Chance for a little give and take. And we plan to take our old running shoes to Falls Road Running Store or Holabird Sports.
We're also recycling a lot of cardboard!
But what do we do with the foam peanuts used in packaging? What about compact disk cases? VHS tapes? Old wood and metal? Suggestions welcome.
AP photo of cardboard being recycled
Comments
Some pack-and-ship places are happy to take your packing peanuts off your hands!
Posted by: Kelly | July 30, 2009 1:44 PM
If you've got the time and storage, might be worth posting your wood/metal items on Freecycle ... you never know who might be interested.
Posted by: Liz Kay | July 30, 2009 2:42 PM
For a free rain barrel, go to the car wash on Geipe Road in Catonsville. I got one of their barrels from them as they were taking it to the rigid plastics recycling at Alpha Ridge in Howard County. The guy told me anyone can stop by and ask for one and it would likely save them a trip to the dump.
Thanks everyone. These are really good tips. -MC
Posted by: Jon Merryman | July 30, 2009 4:10 PM
Try Posting it under Craigslist Free section.
Posted by: NotableM | July 30, 2009 4:29 PM
Packing peanuts / Styrofoam can be a pain to recycle. I haven't found much around here - the best bet I've found is to stock them up as much as you can fit in your car and take them all up to FPI in Newark, Del. They're the nearest place I know of that takes Styrofoam and peanuts for recycling (open till 7 most weekdays) and they're very close to the Christiana Mall to do some tax-free shopping while you're there.
Posted by: Al Chyron | July 30, 2009 4:57 PM
And although they are closed this month, the Baltimore Free Store is also a donation option ...
Posted by: Liz Kay | July 30, 2009 7:31 PM
You can use the foam peanuts in the bottom of plant containers to insulate the soil (if your containers sit out on concrete), improve drainage and lighten the overall weight of the container.
Posted by: Jen | July 31, 2009 8:50 AM
Several recycling drop-off centers in Baltimore may take some of your items.
http://www.ci.baltimore.md.us/government/dpw/recycle/dropOff.php
Posted by: Brittany | August 3, 2009 11:24 AM
i found a website that has a "peanut hotline" [how can you not like that?]
http://www.loosefillpackaging.com/pages/hotline.htm
it's the plastic loose fill council and they are happy to redirect your peanuts to those less fortunate!
Posted by: lori | August 3, 2009 3:38 PM