http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvhTeNcakAY

How is BungoBox helping the environment? Let’s focus on the Three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Reduce: By using BungoBox when you move, you’re reducing the number of cardboard boxes that are created. In turn, you are also reducing the number of trees and amount of processing required to make those cardboard boxes.  Studies show that a cardboard box will only get used twice on average before losing its integrity and being thrown out or recycled. (And speaking of Reduce: using BungoBox reduces costs by an average of 50% compared to cardboard boxes!)

Reuse: Did you know that a BungoBox can be used 100s of times?  You may only use them once for your move, but these containers really get a workout over their lifespan! Reusable containers make a smaller impact on the earth.

Recycle: Each BungoBox is made of recycled material, and at the end of its life span, each and every BungoBox is recycled. 

Thinking of the environment during your move is important, but being green the whole year round is even better. Make sure to take into account the Three R’s daily!

Happy Earth Day Canada!  We would love to hear what you are doing as well!

Using plastic moving boxes like, BungoBox, instead of cardboard boxes saves you money, but here are some other tips that can help you save on your move:

1. Plan ahead. Order your moving boxes online and have them delivered at your preferred time.  Check for ongoing promotions.  BungoBox offers FREE delivery on certain orders.
2. Have everything packed up before the movers arrive. By frantically packing at the last minute on moving day, you’ll be paying for the time that a moving truck waits for you. You’ll also feel less stressed having everything ready to go the day before.
3. Move during an off-day. Move during the week rather than on a weekend/at the beginning of the month, when it is not only easier to book off an elevator in a building, but renting a truck or hiring a moving company is cheaper when the demand is lower.
4. Don’t pack the canned goods. While preparing for a move, try to use up your canned, prepared and frozen foods ahead of time to save room and avoid the added weight of prepared foods. If you do pack those canned goods - make sure to use your plastic moving boxes - not flimsy cardboard!
5. Let the utilities companies know that you’re moving. There’s nothing more frustrating than hooking up your new utilities only to find that you’ve forgotten to turn off billing at your old home, and paying for both. Let the hydro, phone, cable, gas and other utility companies know what day you are moving ahead of time to avoid double billing.
6. Collect your damage deposit. Some renters think that it’s easier to just leave their old dwelling unclean upon vacating to save time. Cleaning the home will cost you a fraction of what you’ll receive back, so it’s worth the effort.
7. Get insurance. If you’re moving a large number of items or lots of valuables, the cost of moving insurance can be very worthwhile. 
8. Canadian tax credits. Track your moving expenses if you are moving 40km or more for a new job or to relocate your business. The Canadian government will issue deductions for qualified moves. We’re not accountants, so if this applies to you, read more on the CRA website.
9. Ask for cash. In addition to the tax deductions above, if you’re moving for a new job you may want to ask your new employer if they have a relocation plan to help offset your costs. Many small companies may not, but larger companies and government organizations often have moving policies. It can’t hurt to ask!

Want to actually make some money to offset the costs of moving? Consider going through the old moving boxes and closets in your home before you pack, and selling off items that you no longer use. You’ll find that thrift stores, Craiglist/Kijiji, and garage sales are an excellent place to offload some of your older or least used items while making some extra cash. For any of the smaller items that you can’t sell, donate to your favourite charity.   If you need help organizing for your move, check out Professional Organizers in Canada. 

Some of your bigger, unused items can really pay off if you are no longer using them—try eBay or antique stores when selling off valuables and collectables. Giving those items you no longer use a second chance is great for the earth, and it feels great to clear things out and start fresh in your new home!

Kobchai Phadoemchit, BungoBox's latest franchise owner, has considerable interest and experience in the moving business.  "Before buying the BungoBox Vancouver franchise, I worked in the moving industry, researched the market, and utilized various moving services in the region to get a good understanding of what the Vancouver customer is looking for in terms of moving services.  There is a strong demand for easy access, cost effective and environmentally friendly moving boxes in Vancouver, and BungoBox meets all those needs."

BungoBox rents recycled, reusable, interlocking plastic moving boxes to commercial and residential customers, saving time and money over traditional moving methods.  The edgy and innovative company, with the slogan "We Make Moving Less Sucky," takes the hassle out of rounding up moving materials by delivering the boxes to a customer's current address, and picking them up once unpacked at the new residence.  The boxes are stackable, durable and affordable (A large 2.5 cubic feet box rents for $3.25/week or a one bedroom package for as little as $65/week).

"We are thrilled to welcome Kobchai to the BungoBox team," said Darin McLean, co-owner of BungoBox Canada.  "With his knowledge of the moving industry in Vancouver and our growing franchise network, we are making BungoBox a stronger brand and offering customers a superior moving box at a highly competitive cost."

BungoBox.ca

BungoBox is an innovative company that is transforming the traditional moving process.  Committed to helping consumers save time and money with an eco-friendly alternative to cardboard boxes, BungoBox has 21 locations in Canada and the United States.

For more information:

Tracey Morrison  604.862.6098       tmorrison@bungobox.ca 

The math really says it all.

It's really easy to simply state that plastic moving boxes are more environmentally friendly, easier to stack and generally better than cardboard. Everyone says so. But where is the real, measureable data that makes that statement true? 

The shocking answer is, there are no studies published, online, that run the numbers that definitively determine that using plastic moving boxes are more eco-friendly than cardboard.

Until now.

We take the environmental issue of moving very seriously here at BungoBox Canada. So seriously, in fact, that we have spent a great deal of time researching (and doing lots of really tough math) to give you the straight goods on why plastic trumps cardboard, everytime.

According to movingboxdelivery.com it requires about 47 boxes, of varrying sizes, to move a 3 bedroom home. Since an average box (16" x 12" x 12") weighs approximately 7oz when empty, we can determine that 47 of those 7 oz boxes would have a total weight of 329oz - or 10kg.

The website Ecofx.org states that 10kg of paper products require C02 emissions of 48kg and the loss of habitat of 37 square metres.

37 square metres really isn't a lot of habitat. It's only about 400 square feet or 20% of the inside of a 2,000 square foot home. 

However, if you consider that in 2006 Statistics Canada reported that 14% (or 4,363,000 family units) of Canada's population moved house between 2005 and 2006 that 37 square metres becomes a much larger issue.

If each Canadian on the move used cardboard boxes for their move, moving Canadians would account for 39,890 acres of lost habitat. PER YEAR!

That's an area equivalent to approximately 47 Central Parks or 40 Stanley Parks, the state of Florida or the country of Liechtenstein! All for one year's worth of moving in Canada. In 10 years Canadians could destroy habitat larger than the size of the entire city of Toronto. (Toronto is approx. 255,000 acres)

These numbers do not take into account the re-use of cardboard for moving and we do allow that many people make the effort to reuse boxes. However, many of the boxes that are obtained from grocery stores etc are waxed to protect them from dampness during transport and those are not recyclable and are, therefore, considerably more damaging to our environment. 

By comparisson, BungoBoxes can be used again and again and again. In fact, the life of a BungoBox has yet to be determined since we haven't broken any yet. 

There are some out there who argue that cardboard is a recylable material and that's true....to a point. Cardboard is recyclable yet it, along with other paper products, make up 30% of our landfill content. So even though it IS recyclable, it's often NOT recycled.

Finally, and this is the best part...BungoBox is cheaper than cardboard! I know right?

Remember up in the 3rd paragraph where we mention the moving box company? Well, to move a 3 bedroom home with cardboard would cost you $120 but with BungoBox Canada the same home can be moved safer and much easier with only $103! Even better? We'll throw in an extra week for free when you like our Facebook page.

So there it is. Plastic moving boxes are a much better choice for the environment, your wallet, ease of use (we bring them right to you!), your conscience and the future of the planet. 

Order your boxes today and don't forget to get your 2nd week free by liking us on Facebook! 

In April 2011, BungoBox Canada purchased the exclusive rights to develop and sell franchises throughout Canada. The first Canadian BungoBox franchise was opened in Halifax in July 2011.

Tim and Lisa Ross, Edmonton franchisees, previously owned the 27,000-square-foot Old Strathcona Antique Mall for nine years and a software development company.

“We were looking for a business that represents a new opportunity in the service industry,” Tim says. “In business, simpler is better, and at its very core, BungoBox is a simple business concept. Immediately I connected with the idea of taking one of life's most stressful events and making it easier on people.”

The couple expects to start operations in late November.

Tim, who is also a commercial pilot, says when customers hear about BungoBox, they typically have the same why-didn't-I-think-of-that reaction.

“It’s a simple concept transforming the moving industry,” says Darin McLean, co-owner of BungoBox Canada. “We expect to develop 20 franchises across Canada over the next two years, and we hope to award two more franchises before the end of the year.”

Co-founders Tom and Bob Cannon launched the franchise option in late 2010 and have awarded franchises in Florida in Gainesville, Jacksonville, South Florida, Tallahassee, Tampa, and in Atlanta, Ga; Phoenix, Ariz. and Halifax, Nova Scotia.

About BungoBox:

BungoBox is an innovative company that is transforming the traditional moving process. Committed to helping consumers save time and money with an eco-friendly alternative to cardboard boxes, BungoBox has 10 locations (nine franchise locations and one corporate location). For more information, visit www.bungobox.ca.

~ submitted by Tracy • North Vancouver, BC

Each year while studying in University, I would rent a room during the year and go home for the summer.

Trying to be ahead of the game, at the end of my second year, I set up my fall accommodation before leaving in May.

When I arrived in September, the upstairs landlord was not home, but my key opened the basement door and I moved in.

Studying in the day and working at night, I would arrive home late each day.

One night in November, I arrived home to find a strange man waiting for me.

Apparently the house had been sold in the summer and I was not informed! I had been living in an empty house for 2 monthes illegally!

I was very lucky to not have my next accommodations in a jail cell!!!

Wow, that's awesome! You must have been freaking out! I hope he gave you a few days to find a new place to live. Tracy's story falls nicely into our "horrible moving story" category. Do you have one too? If so, submit it to our Worst Moving Story Ever Contest on Facebook. You could win an iPad 2!