When you're looking for packing materials for a move, a storage situation, or for simply putting things in your attic, you may be wondering how to minimize the environmental impact of your packing materials. Packing peanuts and bubble wrap, while great for cushioning fragile items, are not so great in the landfill. Fortunately for you, there are many options available now as people across the country become more aware of the environmental implications of single-use petroleum-based packing materials. Here are four places to look for alternatives.

1. Your own home

Sometimes you just have to think outside the box to find the perfect packing solutions. If you're planning to put some fragile items into storage along with some soft items such as clothing or linens, you can simply use the soft items as padding for the fragile ones. Or you can dig out that bag of discarded clothing you were planning to send to the thrift shop and use it as padding instead. Other great items you may find around the house include used wrapping paper, brown paper bags, and even plastic grocery bags.

2. Your self-storage facility

Because there are lots of other people storing stuff there, a self-storage facility is a great place to look for used packing materials. And if you can't find anyone willing to let you have their used materials for free, you may be able to purchase recycled or biodegradable packing materials from the facility itself.

3. Local businesses

Many shops and businesses receive goods in shipping containers that are just right for packing up your belongings in. If you ask at the grocery store, a liquor store, or a bookstore, you may get lucky and find a wealth of cardboard crates that you're welcome to cart away for free. Consider calling each business in advance to find out which day of the week is most likely to have lots of deliveries, so you'll have the best chance of this.

4. Online

In case none of these pan out, or if you have so much stuff to pack that you still need more materials, or even if you're just not the social type and prefer to do your transactions online, there are plenty of options available on the internet. Because online shopping offers such a great variety of products, you're much more likely to be able to find biodegradable or recycled packing peanuts, and you may even be able to uncover information about a packing peanut recycling program so you can send yours in for recycling after you're finished with them.

These four places will provide you with plenty of opportunities whether local or long-distance to help you keep your packing and storage more eco-friendly, sustainable, and recyclable.