Founded in 1890, Hansen Bros. Moving & Storage the parent company of Portabox has successfully weathered many history-changing events including the Great Seattle Fire, WWI, the Spanish Flu of 1918, the Great Depression, WWII, the 2008 recession, and 9/11 among many other public crises. We are taking the current COVID-19 threat very seriously and will promptly adhere to any and all directives from local, state and federal government officials. Hansen Bros. and Portabox have been categorized as an essential industry business (moving & relocation) within the current mandate established by Washington State Governor Jay Inslee.

As essential services, we will maintain normal operations until such time as either company management determines we must close our offices or we are directed to do so by a governmental authority. We are taking extensive precautionary measures including the adoption of all CDC guidelines and the establishment of our own policies intended to minimize health risks for all customers, employees, contractors, vendors, and community stakeholders. We are proud to be able to support the needs of our customers during this crucial time but are prepared to quickly change course as required.

Stay safe together with Hansen Bros. and Portabox

The COVID-19 crisis is fluid and there are many uncertainties and factors outside of our control that may, with little or no advance notice, impact our delivery of moving & storage services. Please be aware the current crisis could potentially result in small inconveniences such as a delayed project start time or significant inconveniences such as the complete rescheduling of services.

Although there are many unknowns to be navigated, you can be certain that Hansen Bros. and Portabox will be timely and transparent in our communications regarding servicing your moving & storage needs, and our professional relocation consultants will work diligently to offer creative solutions in the event your project is impacted by the current health crisis.

Steps We're Taking:

  • Company-wide Implementation of all precautionary measures recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
  • Office staff and crews are being monitored daily for symptoms and/or known exposure by management and asked to go home, contact their healthcare provider, and self-quarantine as directed. Staff that experience symptoms and/or aware of exposure when not at work have been directed to stay home and notify their supervisor.
  • Office staff and crews are receiving daily briefings on precautionary measures and have been directed to follow them on and off the job.
  • Office staff and crews are being instructed to maintain appropriate “social distance” of 6 feet minimum between one another, customers, and all other people.
  • Office staff and crews are being provided with appropriate hand sanitizer and surface disinfecting supplies. They have been directed to disinfect truck cabs and moving equipment between each move to the best of their ability. These supplies will continue to be replenished as we are able, based on availability from retailers.
  • We are limiting visitation to our branch offices. If you wish to purchase moving boxes or supplies, please simply call in your order and we will happily deliver to your vehicle outside.

We are all in this together.  The team at Hansen Bros. and Portabox is proud to continue offering our services in accordance with the necessary precautions outlined above. We are here to make the process of storing belongings seamless & safe for you.

Ways to Reduce Waste When Packing for Storage

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There are many things to think about before and during a move. You will have many small tasks to carry out and many unexpected events to resolve. That can complicate the situation and can create a lot of stress or nervousness. But above all, moving is an activity that creates a large amount of waste that should be minimized. If you are unsure what are the best ways to reduce waste when packing for storage, whether that is temporary storage Seattle offers or a long-term solution, do not worry! PortaBox Storage is here to help you pack with as little waste as possible.

Tips for an eco-friendly move

Making an eco-friendly move means reducing the quantity of waste you make when packing your belongings. To have a fewer waste, differentiate the waste as you pack and decide what to throw away. In other words, to make less waste, you have to declutter. Decide what to keep, and what to donate. If something is too worn or damaged, it’s best to throw it away. Getting rid of unwanted items means you will need fewer packing supplies.

The objects and clothes you want to get rid of, if they are in good condition and are not broken or damaged, can be donated. Others, on the other hand, can turn into DIY packing supplies during the move, and they can regain their primary function in the new home. Here are the precautions to keep in mind for a sustainable move of your belongings into storage pods Seattle is offering:

  1. Reduce waste by making DIY packing supplies
  2. Choose sustainable packaging
  3. Reuse your packing supplies
  4. Recycle as much as possible

Reduce waste by making DIY packing supplies

The best way to minimize the quantity of waste you make when relocating is to avoid using regular packing supplies. Instead, opt for DIY packing supplies. Use and reuse your old cardboard boxes. You probably have many old shoe boxes, boxes from kitchen appliances and gadgets. You can use regular duct tape as packing tape. As for bubble wrap, you can use newspapers, reuse old bubble wrap, or use bubble wrap only for the most fragile and valuable belongings.

Four trash bins help reduce waste when packing for storage
One of the most efficient ways to reduce waste when packing for storage is recycling.

As for packing peanuts, you can use small bits of old magazines, newspapers, old socks, old clothes, etc. Just make sure to neither overfill nor under-fill your boxes before putting them in Seattle mini storage. Lastly, do not forget to label your boxes before putting them in a storage unit.

Choose sustainable packaging to reduce waste when packing for storage

The choice of packaging for the move is very important for the sustainability of the entire operation. We suggest using recycled and recyclable boxes and reusable packing supplies. Examples include reusable nylon bags, newspapers for protecting fragile objects, biodegradable packing peanuts, and recycled bubble wrap.

Some of these materials can be recycled, and some dissolve when put in water, meaning you will not have to stress about getting rid of the waste. Other than being great for our environment, they are made from safe materials, unlike classic plastic supplies. Therefore, they are safe for your children or pets.

Reduce waste by thinking about the future possibilities

You can reduce waste by figuring out what to do with your packing supplies once you do not need them anymore. Planning can help you organize and prepare your waste much better. You can either reuse, resell, or recycle your packing supplies. Whichever option you chose, you will be positively impacting both your environment and your wallet.

A person holding a plant
Taking care of your waste can help fight environmental pollution.

Reuse your packing supplies after the move

One of the great ways to reduce waste when packing for storage is to keep and reuse your packing supplies. Doing so is especially recommended if you need to use inventory storage Seattle provides, and quite often, especially if you are constantly moving. For example, military personnel is relocating more frequently than other citizens. Hence, it is clear that constantly buying packing supplies is a waste of money and resources.

If you are a creative person, you can use boxes for storing your belongings in your new house. Repaint them, add some details, and you can make them into a playhouse for your kids or pets. Just make sure the plastic stays away from them since digesting it can cause serious health problems. Lastly, if you have a fortune in moving boxes, you can always give them away or sell them.

Resell and recycle as much as possible

Lastly, if there is too much waste, consider recycling it. Opt for this option, especially if it is not possible to reuse or resell them. They should all be recycled appropriately: from cartons to plastic bags, bubble wrap to protect delicate items, and newspaper sheets. Moreover, recycling can be beneficial for your wallet.

Websites such as UsedCardboardBoxes.com and BoxCycle.com can help you sell boxes after you move. The first website is for big commercial relocation since they only accept 1000 boxes and over. BoxCycle allows you to sell individual boxes.

A bunch of boxes doesn't help to reduce waste when packing for storage
Decide what to do with the waste as soon as you start preparing your belongings for storage.

All in all, packing is a process that requires good preparation. You cannot pack without packing supplies, but using too many of them will result in an abundance of waste. To prevent this from happening, declutter before you pack. The fewer belongings there are, the fewer supplies you need. You can also opt for getting eco-friendly packing supplies or make your DIY packing supplies.

By doing so, you will reduce waste when packing for storage. You can make your supplies by using old newspapers, boxes, napkins, etc. Also, try to figure out what to do with the inevitable waste while packing. That will help prevent the stress that might increase once you realize how much waste there is. You can either sell your supplies, reuse them or recycle them. Whichever option you choose, you will be positively affecting your environment.

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