Every year, Earth Day serves as a reminder of our responsibility to protect the planet. One powerful way to make a difference is by embracing a zero waste lifestyle. By reducing the amount of waste we produce, we can lessen our impact on the environment and create a more sustainable future. Here are ten tips to help you get started on your zero waste journey this Earth Day:​
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1. Reduce Single-Use Plastics: Say no to single-use plastics like straws, utensils, and water bottles. Instead, opt for reusable alternatives made from glass, stainless steel, or bamboo.
2. Bring Your Own Bag: Always carry a reusable shopping bag with you. This simple habit can significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste generated from shopping trips.
3. Shop in Bulk: Buy items like grains, nuts, and spices from bulk bins using your own containers. This reduces packaging waste and can save you money in the long run.
4. Compost Food Scraps: Start a compost pile or use a compost bin to turn your food scraps into nutrient-rich soil. This reduces methane emissions from landfills and helps your garden thrive.
5. Choose Package-Free Products: Look for products that are minimally packaged or package-free. This can include items like bar soap, shampoo, and toothpaste tablets.
6. Embrace Secondhand: Give new life to items by shopping at thrift stores or online marketplaces. This reduces the demand for new products and keeps usable items out of landfills.
7. Say No to Junk Mail: Reduce paper waste by unsubscribing from junk mail and opting for digital communications whenever possible.
8. Invest in Quality: Choose durable, high-quality products that are built to last. This reduces the need for frequent replacements and reduces waste over time.
9. Repair and Reuse: Instead of throwing away items that are broken, consider repairing them or repurposing them for a new use.
10. Spread the Word: Share your zero waste journey with others and encourage them to join you. Together, we can make a difference and protect the planet for future generations.

This Earth Day, let's commit to reducing our waste and living more sustainably. By making small changes in our daily lives, we can create a cleaner, healthier planet for all.

By: Julia Weaver
April 10, 2024
Sponsored post.
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Whether you found the ideal apartment in St. Paul, MN, or recently purchased your dream home in Des Moines, IA, moving into your new home can be an exciting new chapter in a person's life. But moving day itself can also be
incredibly stressful.  As anyone who's moved can tell you, planning ahead can make the process much easier. So whether you’re just moving across the street or moving to a different province or state, utilize this article that’s jam-packed with moving hacks from experts, to help you every step of the way.

Before you move
Start your moving process early gives yourself plenty of time before the move lets you take things slow and steady, tackling one room at a time. It's a much more relaxed way to approach packing, and it means you won't be rushing
around at the last minute in a panic. Plus, if anything unexpected comes up, you'll have time to deal with it calmly without stressing out.

1. Declutter

Decluttering can be a daunting task, but taking it one step at a time can make it more manageable. By acknowledging the challenge and approaching it with patience, the process becomes less overwhelming.

Keep items that bring you joy
“Remember, you only want to bring things that you love and that serve a purpose into your new space,” advises Melissa Adams, owner of Happy Organized in Denver, CO. “Take the time before moving to declutter so that once you move, your new home is filled with all the things you love and not full of old junk that has followed you for years.”

Store packing essentials in a convenient location

Etelka and Suzy, owners of Simply Organized Solutions For You in Phoenix, AZ, recommend keeping a supply of small, medium, and large packing boxes on hand along with packing tape, scissors, packing paper, large labels, and Sharpies. “Clearly mark all boxes in the same way, and include which room the box belongs in, as well as the contents, with as much detail as possible. Keep all of your supplies in one location so that you do not waste time looking for any of them. Once you get to your new home and are unpacking, use containers to help you stay organized in the busiest parts of your home such as the kitchen and bathroom.” Identify worn items “Sort through items in each room and space, looking for things that are excessively worn or used, unused or rarely used, broken, too small, too big, duplicates, or have missing components,” shares Tiffany Smith, Indianapolis- based organizing consultant at Simply Put Organizing.

Check items for expiration dates
“Before packing, be sure to inspect all your items for expiration, particularly those in the kitchen pantry and bathroom, including medicine,” says Michele Delory, Certified KonMari and Home Organizing Consultant at Modern & Minimalist in Toronto, Canada. “Take note of anything that needs replacing. Stay organized by keeping essential documents and valuables with you during the move, as a precautionary measure.”

 2. Donate
“Be sure to keep an extra box for donation nearby at all times,” states Lisa, blogger and organizer at Smallish Home. “If you come across anything that you don't really love or care to spend the time/effort/money to move, then place it in
the box for donation. This also works when unpacking boxes in your new place. As you unpack, you will undoubtedly come across things that don't fit in your new space and having an easily accessible donation bin can make unpacking less stressful.”

3. Create a master list
“Create one master list to refer to and edit as the moving process unfolds,” suggests Kimberly Martin, Certified Home Organizer and owner of One by One Organizing in York, ME. “The master list will keep your mind clear and should
have contact numbers, important dates, and a checklist of tasks to complete. Approaching the steps one by one, in an organized way, spatially and mentally, will decrease your overall stress during a move.”

4. Find free moving boxes
Moving can include a lot of unexpected costs, some of which are completely unnecessary. One of these is buying moving boxes. Clothing and grocery stores, as well as the Craigslist free section, are good places to find perfectly good boxes at no cost.

5. Get your current home ready to move out
Evan Blumberg, founder of Mulberry Maids in Fort Collins, CO, emphasizes that with a little prep work, the moving process can be much simpler. “To get started, it is always best to do a declutter of your items. No matter who you are, you will likely have things that can be donated, sold, recycled, or tossed.  Once your home is decluttered, it will be easier to get packed up and perform a deep cleaning of your space. Once the home is empty, focus on areas that were hidden when your home was lived in, such as wet wiping and scrubbing baseboards, cleaning inside cabinets and shelves throughout the home, and vacuuming up corners and edges where dust and pet hair tend to accumulate.
Don't forget to clean inside all of your kitchen appliances as well, including the refrigerator and microwave.

6. Plan your meals or eat out
If you are packing up your kitchen, be sure to plan your meals for the days your items are packed. You could prepare freezer meals that are easy to thaw and enjoy or just plan on eating out for a few nights.

7. Have a moving day bag 
A moving day bag can be a lifesaver. Pack up everything you would need for a weekend trip. Include a change of clothes, toiletries, chargers and some cleaning supplies. Keep this bag in your car so that it doesn't get packed and lost in the back of the moving truck. Be sure you have snacks and water to refuel when your energy gets low.

8. Fill holes in the wall with soap
Small holes in your apartment walls, though seemingly insignificant, can cost you some money upon moving out. An easy moving hack is to fill them using a bar of soap. Just rub the hole with the bar until it's filled.

9. Be packed up before moving day
“Make sure your boxes and bags are packed up before moving day –  movers are paid hourly, so if you're taking the time to pack boxes while they wait, it will cost you,” explains blogger and professional organizer, Shanice Royer-Mayers at City of Creative Dreams. “Consider packing with a system that works best for you and your family such as by labeling boxes with room names, assigning different tape colors to areas in your new home, or using QR code box labels to save time.”

10. Measure the large items
A classic moving mistake is arriving at your new home to find that the couch won't fit through the door. Be sure you measure all your items and ensure they will fit in your new home. Kathy Druffner, owner of  Druffner Professional Organizing  in Dayton, OH, weighs in on the importance of measuring your furniture before moving it. “It's not
practical to incur moving costs for items that serve no purpose or won't fit into your new space. Without exact measurements, utilize online images as a rough guide to help determine whether items will be suitable for your new environment. This proactive approach ensures that you're not burdened with unnecessary belongings during the moving process, streamlining the transition to your new home.”

11. Keep track of your tax-deductible moving expenses
If you are a member of the military or moving for a job, your moving expenses may be tax-deductible. Do some research to see if your situation qualifies. If so, be sure to keep a record of all your moving expenses. Packing hacks
Packing is a chore dreaded by many, but it doesn't have to be. Read through these packing hacks to see which ones you can use for your next move.

12. Color-code
One of the hardest things when moving is to keep all your boxes organized. It's never easy to find things when you arrive at your new apartment. This can be made simpler through a color-coding system that let you glance at each box
and immediately know which room the contents belong in.

13. Take inventory
Along with color-coding the boxes, writing an inventory of what's in each box can be helpful. Write this on the side of the box because the top will be covered. If this sounds too time-consuming, an easy moving hack is to take a photo of
what's in each box. This way you can look back at the photos to find what you're searching for.

14. Cut handles on any boxes that don't have them
It can be hard to pick up a box from the bottom, especially if it's heavy. Add handles to any box by using a box cutter to carve a triangle with the flat side on top and point facing down.

15. Keep knives safe in oven mitts
Knives can be hard to pack and pose a danger to anyone moving them. Keep yourself safe by storing them in protective oven mitts.

16. Vertically pack plates
A moving disaster that you definitely want to avoid is broken dishes. If you pack your plates vertically, like records, they'll be less likely to break in transit.

17. Pack pots with kitchen supplies
Another packing hack is to put any obscure kitchen supplies, like spices or measuring cups, in your pots. This way you can unpack them all at once in your new kitchen.

18. Use rubber bands to keep the lids on pots
Pot lids can be difficult to keep on. To prevent them from sliding off in transit, use rubber bands. Wrap the rubber band around one of the pot's handles, twist it, wrap it around the lid handle, twist again and wrap it around the pot's other
handle.

19. Pack clothes on hangers
Use your clothing storage to your advantage. Rather than removing your clothes from hangers and folding them, only to hang them back up at the new home, keep them on the hangers. Simply zip-tie the hangers together and cover with a trash bag or plastic wrap.

20. Pack cotton balls in your makeup
When transporting cosmetics, makeup is prone to breaking. Protect your powder by packing cotton balls in your compacts.

21. Cover liquids with plastic wrap
Imagine picking up a box to bring into your new house only to find it soaked with shampoo. Avoid any liquid spills by removing the lid, covering the top with plastic wrap and then screwing the lid back on.

22. Remove hardware when possible
If your drawers have handles that stick out, unscrew the hardware and place the handles on the inside; this will help to prevent them from scratching other items in the move.

​23. Keep any disassembled furniture parts in labeled bags
When moving, you may need to disassemble big items like your bed. If you remove any screws or small parts, be sure to put them in a labeled sandwich bag. This way you'll have all the parts in one place when you need to put the item
back together.

24. Use your drawers as storage
Get crafty with what you use as a container. Dresser drawers can be packed with clothes or other items.

25. Bubble wrap mirrors and glass
If you thought plates were difficult to keep intact, wait until you have to pack some mirrors and glass picture frames. In these instances, you'll have to pack each item separately, wrapping it in bubble wrap or packing paper like a present.
Make sure you label the outside of the box “fragile.”

26. Transport valuable items yourself
If there is a valuable heirloom that you are nervous about the movers handling, consider moving it yourself. Pack your valuable items in your car so you can safely transport them.

27. Keep a file of important documents accessible
Keep any important documents, such as your social security card or passport, separate from the rest of your items. You don't want to lose these in the chaos of moving day.

28. Create your own box for the TV
Televisions are another tricky customer when it comes to moving. Luckily, there are a few tricks you can use, such as covering the screen with a towel and building a custom box for it. Always remember to keep your flat screen sitting
upright. Next time you buy a TV, keep the original packing material and you can use it next time you move.

29. Take a photo of wired electronics
Some electronics, such as TVs, have a lot of wires. If you plan on removing the wires to transport them, be sure to take a photo so you know how to put them back together.

30. Organize your cords in toilet paper rolls
A popular moving hack that can save you time is repurposing old toilet paper rolls. Organize your cords in these rolls to keep them from getting tangled in transportation.

31. Use your towels and sheets to your advantage
Linens take up a lot of space in boxes that could be used for other things, but they can be put to good use when moving. Wrap your more fragile objects in your towels and sheets; this way, you can pack everything and save yourself some bubble wrap. Two birds with one stone!

32. Utilize your suitcase
Pack your suitcase with heavier items. It has wheels which will make it easier to transport than a heavy box.

33. Have your movers place the boxes in the correct room
When you arrive in the new house, instead of piling all the boxes in the living room, put them in the correct room. If you color-coded them, it will be easy to determine what goes where. This moving hack will make your life much easier
when it's time to unpack the boxes.

Try these moving hacks today!
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Although moving day may seem overwhelming, the secret lies in proactive planning and adopting expert advice to simplify the process. Taking guidance from seasoned organizers and incorporating practical strategies like decluttering, arranging packing necessities, and planning unpacking can greatly ease the transition.