GOLETA - It's likely we will all move at least once, at some point in our lives.
Two local men are doing their part to lessen the footprint for those moving on the Central Coast, and they began with a dream that is green.
Which brings us to Movegreen, an environmentally friendly moving company catering to people in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.
Patrick Wilkinson and Erik Haney founded the green business two years ago, and they make it a point to minimize their impact in every way possible.
The company only uses paperless statements and estimates. Additionally, "All our trucks are run on biodiesel, they're all new, so they meet 2008 EPA Emissions Standards. We plant ten trees for every move through a nonprofit organization called 'Trees for the Future'," says co-founder Wilkinson. He adds the company purchases carbon offsets, re-uses and recycles packing materials, and uses a Prius to drive to all the moving estimates.
Haney says it's their method of improving an existing business model: "Instead of trying to reinvent the wheel, we tried to reinvent and age-old industry, and just try to make it as Green as possible and do what we could," Haney says.
Apparently that goal is paying off. The Co-founders tell Central Coast News the Santa Barbara community is embracing their twist on the moving business. Movegreen has already moved 900 customers in a very short and busy two years.
"It was difficult" at first, Haney adds. Biodiesel fuel, new trucks, and reusable materials cost Wilkinson and Haney more money as they sprouted the business from nothing.
But they say they maintain a price-point that's comparable to regular movers, all while doing good for the Central Coast environment.
Haney maintains, "It feels good at the end of the day."
Wilkinson smiles, "We're crushing right now, we're doing really well," as he mentions the company is expanding into Ventura County and Northern Santa Barbara County.
Wilkinson adds, "It's the 'Why Not Factor' Why would you not use a Green moving company versus a typical moving company? I mean, we're essentially the same thing, but we're doing it in a much more socially responsible way, a more environmentally friendly way."
If you'd like to take some ideas from Movegreen, the co-founders suggest recycling gently used packing supplies and old electronics, once you're done with your big move.
Movegreen even provides a free drop-off location for your used moving materials and e-waste.
To contact Movegreen, call: 805.845.6600, or click here.
