Green Tips from Organizational Expert Laura McHolm

Laura McHolm is the co-founder of NorthStar Moving, an eco-luxury moving and storage company. She shares some of her best tips for taking small steps toward a more eco-friendly lifestyle ~

• When cleaning out those closets, empty everything onto the floor and create four piles: "keep," "give away," "recycle" and "store." If you can't remember the last time you used something, get rid of it! Think about the reuse your worn clothing will get from those who need it.

• Unless you get the packing peanuts made from puffed up potato starch, conventional packing peanuts are not biodegradable, and even worse - they're made from chemicals. Instead, save money and protect the environment by making your own out of popped popcorn! They buffer valuables just as well, without harming the environment (just remember to skip the butter).

• When selecting a storage unit, think green. Be sure to seek full-service storage companies that use boxes made of 100% recyclable materials and use warehouse-style facilities that store items in reusable wooden vaults - greener for you, greener for the environment.

• Computers, televisions, batteries and a plethora of other electronic and large bulky items are often discarded - but what happens to them? Many people don't know that these items are most often shipped off to unregulated third world countries to be processed by highly toxic and polluting techniques. When disposing of such electronics, be sure to seek truly green, domestic recyclers that will carefully and responsibly dispose of your waste.

• Using cardboard boxes to store items in the basement or garage? Make sure those are 100% recyclable boxes! Some moving companies will offer used, recyclable boxes at a discounted rate.

• It's widely believed that packing newspaper is the cheapest way to pack. But think about how many times you'll need to run the dishwasher to remove newspaper print from dishes and silverware. Purchase professional packing paper made of recycled materials for a cleaner, greener alternative. • Cleaning out the closet? Consider the benefits of digital photos: take pictures of nostalgic items you recycle, and file images of items you store so you know exactly what is in each box.