Introduction
Moving is a necessary part of life at some point but it is not necessarily the most environmentally friendly event. Generally we are more collectively mindful of our impact on the environment and our planet and do try to be eco-conscious when we can. These green moving tips for an eco-friendly move will help you reduce your carbon footprint during this change as you find alternatives for reducing packaging waste and long car and van journeys. It might not be perfect but is a step in the right direction towards being a little greener during your change of location.
Reuse moving supplies
Instead of looking for new cardboard moving boxes, you can instead get used boxes and existing containers to store your items. The second hand market for packing items is good and you are sure to find boxes and containers that suit your requirements. You could also rent reusable moving boxes as a good alternative to buying new. You can rent large heavy duty boxes that stack easily on top of each other for easy moving and then simply return them once done.
Also, to reduce the amount of boxes you will need for the move, do a thorough declutter so that there are less items to transport. Less boxes will mean that you can opt for a smaller moving vehicle and less trips back and forth.
Sustainable packing materials
The ever popular moving staples bubble wrap and packing peanuts are not environmentally friendly and create a lot of waste. Instead try eco friendly packing materials such as blankets or duvets to wrap large fragile items like your televisions. Use suitcases to pack smaller fragile items with pillow cases, bedsheets or towels between them and to wrap them, so they are kept safe and secure. You can place paper plates between your dishes and plates. Placing towels blankets are other such soft and thick household linen around everything will keep them even more secure during transit. This will reduce the amount of packing supplies you will need.
Maximise the space in each and every box is another good sustainable moving tip because it will help towards reducing the number of boxes you will need. Placing cutlery in Tupperware containers or using bigger pots to securely place smaller items all help with making the most of the box space.
Environmentally friendly cleaning products
Of course this is something you can adopt in your everyday life and not just on the moving day. There are many environmentally friendly cleaning products in the market today that are so much better than the chemical heavy varieties. If you plan ahead you can even make some of the cleaning products at home which are simple to make with easy to find guides accessible online.
Recycle unwanted items
This goes hand in hand with the declutter step. When you find items that you no longer really use or need, send them out for reuse or repurposing. You could try hosting a garage sale or a giveaway or donating to a thrift store. That way someone else can make good use of these items without them just contributing towards landfill. It also means that you will have less items that need to be packed and transported.
Eco-friendly transportation methods
To help with an eco-friendly move source eco friendly transportation methods. Once you have packed all your goods and items be realistic about the vehicle you will need so that you do not go for something too small and end up needing multiple trips. You could also check with your local railway if there is a way to transport your larger items so that you can rent a small vehicle to move the other items.
Commit to long-term actions for green moving
Choosing to go paperless and opting for digital billing etc will help reduce a lot of waste and be a good transition into more long term green actions that you can continue in your everyday life.
Opt for green movers / moving companies
Reduce your environmentally impact by hiring a green moving company. Find movers that are dedicated to sustainable and environmental practices and that will work with you to make your move as green as possible. They will even have further eco friendly moving tips that you could adopt.
Conclusion
Use these green moving tips for an eco-friendly move because while moving is a chaotic time you can ensure that you are not being hard on the planet. Little changes will make a huge difference to the impact your move will have on the environment, so make the effort and make the difference.