A Silver Linings take on Earth Day — and why the way we move matters more than you think.
April 22nd is Earth Day, and every year it sneaks up on me a little. One minute I’m thinking about spring cleaning and the next I’m reminded that the planet is essentially begging us to pay attention. So here I am – paying attention.
At Silver Linings Transitions, we help people downsize, organize, and move and frankly, moving is one of the messiest, most wasteful things humans do. Think about the last time you moved. Do you remember how many trips to the trash can you made? How many cardboard boxes ended up on the curb? The tape, the packing paper, the bubble wrap that nobody could resist popping but nobody actually knew what to do with after?
Moving generates a lot of waste. And most of it doesn’t have to.
That’s one of the reasons we use reusable moving bins with our clients here in San Diego. Instead of building a cardboard empire in your living room that eventually gets recycled or worse, ends up in a landfill, our sturdy, stackable plastic bins are delivered to you, filled up, moved, unloaded, and then taken back. No tape. No box breakdown. No recycling guilt. Just a cleaner move and a slightly happier planet.
It’s a small thing, really. But I’ve learned that the small things add up, in organizing and in life.
Earth Day is a good reminder that our habits matter, even the ones we only do occasionally. Relocating feels like a one-time event, but when millions of people are doing it every year with disposable materials, it becomes something much bigger. Choosing reusable bins is the kind of quiet, practical decision that doesn’t require a bumper sticker – it just makes sense.
And while we’re thinking about Earth Day and what we’re leaving behind – in our homes and on this planet – it’s also worth asking: what’s actually worth taking with us?
If you haven’t seen George Carlin’s spiel on “Stuff” you’re in for a few laughs. But be warned, he’s got a bit of a “potty mouth”.
One of the most meaningful parts of a move, especially for seniors and people who are downsizing, is deciding what comes along and what gets passed on. Donating instead of dumping. Giving furniture a second life instead of sending it to the landfill. Being thoughtful about what we accumulate in the first place. These choices are good for our homes and good for the earth.
So this Earth Day, whether you’re in the middle of a move, thinking about downsizing, or just staring at that garage with the door you hope the neighbors don’t notice – consider what small change you could make. Maybe it’s a decluttering session that ends in a donation run. Maybe it’s choosing a company like Silver Linings Transitions that thinks about this stuff too.
We do. And we’d love to help.
If you’re planning a move or transition in the San Diego or Coachella Valley area, reach out to the Silver Linings Transitions team. We’ll bring the bins.