The process of moving into a new home is exciting and exhilarating, but can also be stressful and overwhelming. Among the stressors involved in moving is digging through piles of belongings, sometimes creating mountains of waste to be disposed of. While moving is an opportunity to finally get rid of your old, unused and unwanted clutter, you should be aware that there is an environmentally friendly way to go about it. Additionally, since moving into a new space is a great way to have a fresh start, consider some of the greener modifications you can make in your new home.

Reduce, reuse, recycle. The environmentalist's mantra should be at the forefront when you are making a move. Now that the paperwork is signed or the notice given, it's time to hunker down and deal with the dirty work of packing, cleaning and hauling. One of the most rewarding, but difficult, tasks of this process is getting rid of things we don't use. Your personal belongings, furniture, knick-knacks, clothes and even the food in your pantry all have special meaning because they remind us of the past. But if you haven't used, worn or eaten them in a year or more, there is a good chance you never will. Clutter takes up mental as well as physical space, so take this opportunity to get rid of it.

Eliminating your clutter doesn't mean you have to throw everything wholesale into the trash. Many of the things you don't want or need anymore can be donated or sold. The EPA suggests that you collect your unwanted items and donate food, furniture and clothes to charities. You also have the option to sell your things to used clothing and book stores, and considering the current economic situation, every penny counts. Donating your canned and packaged food to food banks may be one of the best ways to help the environment as well as those in need, while also lightening your own load.

Other items you don't want to toss in the garbage are batteries, cleaning supplies, paint and motor oil. You should always recycle your rechargeable batteries. Call2Recycle can help you locate your recharchables and find the appropriate place to recycle them. If you have household hazardous waste that you would like to dispose of, including cleaning products, find out about drop-off locations or "round-up" events offered by your local government or in your community.

There are organizations and guides to help you re-use and recycle almost any unwanted belongings. At greenKarat you can recycle or donate your old jewelry.  Check out these tips at Tree Hugger on recycling your pantyhose. Tip#10 in particular is good advice for your move -  use them to tie up your tolled-up posters!

When you have donated, recycled, and properly disposed of hazardous waste, you are ready to pack. For those in the Los Angeles area, Rent a Green Box offers a unique service. The first no waste alternative for your packing and moving needs, Rent a Green Box will provide you with boxes of various sizes, as well as packing materials, all made of post consumer waste culled from landfills. They deliver the "recopacks" and supplies to your door, and then come to pick them up from your new place. Currently, they serve Los Angeles, Long Beach and Orange County.

Another company that takes an eco-friendly approach to packing boxes is UsedCardboardBoxes.com, which "rescues" cardboard boxes from manufacturers and distributors that would have otherwise disposed of their extra, mis-printed or returned boxes. Used Cardboard Boxes sell kits made up of multi-size boxes depending on your moving needs and inspect their boxes for quality, recycling any boxes that don't meet their standards.

In your new home, there are some simple recommendations courtesy of the EPA to reduce your waste. Use rechargeable batteries and cloth towels, and consider sharing or borrowing tools, books, newspapers and large items such as ladders.

Care2's moving guide also shares some ideas for offsetting the carbon emissions associated with your move. Their Green Moving Guide lists sites where you can donate, or just click, to help offset your carbon footprint. In addition to enjoying your new home, your move may be chance for you to make some permanent changes to your lifestyle that will stay with you long after the truck is unloaded and the boxes unpacked.

Source: http://www.epa.gov/osw/aging/move.pdf