7 Tips for an Eco-Friendly Move
We can protect our environment in almost every segment of our lives. However, when it comes to busy and stressful events such as moving, people tend to forget about it. Relocating gives us a lot of opportunities to go green, save nature and even reduce our costs. So, why not use them? In this guide, you’ll learn the top 7 tips for an eco-friendly move that are not too demanding but still are very efficient. Let’s go green!
1. Go lightweight
One of the best ways you can have an eco-friendly move and speed up your relocation process is by decreasing the number of items you’re bringing to your new home. Decluttering is an essential step of every move, especially if you haven’t done it in a while. The benefits of decluttering your home before a move are:
If you have fewer items to pack, you’ll need fewer packing supplies, which is another way to have an eco-friendly relocation and spend less on your move;
Fewer moving boxes mean fewer trips between houses, which reduces the amount of gas you spend and lowers your carbon footprint;
The items you no longer need can find another home or be recycled – this is another way to find a purpose for your things rather than throwing them away.
2. Pack in an eco-friendly way
Now that you have sorted out the items you want to bring to your new home, you need to figure out how to pack them without hurting the environment. Fortunately, green packing has become a lot more available nowadays, so it’s not difficult to prepare for the move without creating dangerous and excessive waste. Make sure to avoid plastic and choose only biodegradable or reusable packing materials.
If possible, check if any of your friends or relatives who recently moved still have their moving boxes. You can reuse them and therefore spend less on your move. Furthermore, you can avoid plastic packing supplies by using the items from your home to pack. Suitcases, gym bags, tote bags, etc., are a free substitute for moving boxes. Also, you can use old sheets and towels instead of plastic wrapping for your fragile items and thus avoid unnecessary waste.
3. Choose a green moving company
If you need some help with moving your household, don’t pick just any company to assist you. Green moving companies pay attention to different details that make their business environmentally friendly. Appropriate vehicle fuel, eco-friendly packing supplies, connection to recycling, and donation centers are just some of the benefits you get from hiring an eco-friendly moving team. That way, you can be sure your move will require less cardboard, vehicles will emit less pollution, and your items will arrive at the new destination quickly and safely. However, don’t just pick any moving company that comes your way. Take your time to contact at least three teams, and ask them to give you an estimate and describe the way they provide their services. Compare the information you receive so you can pick the most reliable moving team and get the best deal!
4. Store your items safely but still protect the environment
We don’t use some items in our home too often, but they eat up space in the house. Storage is the perfect solution in such cases as it can help you make more room in your home without getting rid of your possessions. However, be sure to store things in a sustainable way, picking green storage units that care about the environment. Here you will have to follow appropriate packing guidelines and be sure your items are stored in a place with proper insulation, energy-saving light bulbs, solar roofs, etc. This kind of storage doesn’t necessarily need to be more expensive, but it surely does more for our planet.
5. Take care of dangerous materials
Every home has some materials and chemicals that are not so good for the environment. Moving house is the perfect moment to get rid of those. However, be sure to dispose of any items that may hurt nature in the safest way possible. Antifreeze, motor oil, cleaning chemicals, ammonia, etc., should be kept secure in your home but also disposed of accordingly. You can call an expert to help you out and make sure you follow the instruction written on the package.
6. Second-hand options for your move
People often tend to get rid of their furniture when moving and replace it with new items after the move. However, don’t just simply throw these pieces away. You can always sell these items online, using websites such as Craigslist. There are easy and fast ways to sell the things you no longer need and make packing up your household easier. Also, you can organize a good, old garage sale – let your neighbors know, and you will be able to make some money after selling your items, so you can use them to pay for the moving costs. And finally, second-hand furniture is a good option in case you need to buy something. You can find amazing pieces of furniture online at very reasonable prices. Furnish your new home in an eco-friendly way.
7. Adapt your new home and continue being green
After a successful eco-friendly move, you now have the chance to be green in your new home as well. Adapt your new house in an environmentally friendly fashion, so you can save energy, reduce costs and protect nature. Solar energy solutions, energy-saving light bulbs, recyclable materials, and cleaning supplies can make your home cleaner, healthier and better for everything around you. Being green is not a one-time thing. It’s a lifestyle, so start creating new habits that will undoubtedly pay off in the long run.
