Sustainability has become a significant factor in our lives, and moving house is no exception. The moving industry is very developed in the US, and over 30 million people move yearly. That increases gas emissions and waste from used or unused packing material. As we become more aware of air and land pollution, we must make positive changes and perform more sustainable relocations. If there’s an upcoming moving day coming your way, check out these valuable tips for an eco-friendly move and a healthier environment. Small changes do make a difference!
Reduce the leftover moving boxes
The pile of moving boxes is probably the chunkiest waste left after a move. Sometimes we can reuse them for storage, yet mostly they end up in the trash. One of the ways to reduce waste is to rent moving boxes for your relocation. Such containers are sturdier, will keep your belongings safer during the move, and ensure less waste after you’re done. And last but not least, your new home will have less mess after you move in. Simply unpack and return the boxes so you won’t have any cardboard around your home. Another way to reduce waste is to find pre-loved packing supplies from friends and family. You can also find free cardboard boxes in a local liquor or furniture store and buy used boxes online. Just be sure to find containers in good condition to minimize the chance of damage or loss of your belongings during transport.
Make better choices to protect your items
Most of the time, people will use newspaper or air wrapping to protect their fragile items, which are not the best options for an eco-friendly move. Make better choices when wrapping your belongings, and use packing material that is recyclable and biodegradable. Even though they are not the most common option, you’ll find plenty of eco-friendly materials on the market. Furthermore, you can go zero-waste and use items you already have for protection. Wrap your fragile in old blankets, towels, cloths, or other soft materials. These will ensure no scratches and breaks; you can continue using them after unpacking. Sustainable moves are all about creativity and resourcefulness, and it’s pretty easy to relocate without making an impact.
Smart and responsible decluttering for the win
Moving house is a perfect opportunity to declutter your home and eliminate items that have been taking up space for years. However, that decluttering session shouldn’t make a significant environmental impact. Even though decluttering is an essential part of every move, try to be more conscious about how you get rid of your items. Here are some tips to be more sustainable while tidying up your home before the move:
- Ensure you recycle properly – sort out the items in recycling categories or take them to the local recycling center. You need to plan this to have time to sort and drop everything off in the right place, but it’s all worth it.
- Give items a second chance – things that are outdated but still in good condition may be given a second life. Hand-me-downs, charity or garage sales are all great options for safely removing certain belongings from your home;
- Go paperless – you can destroy old magazines, documents, and papers with a shredder. However, if there are things you want to keep, try digitalizing to create even more storage space in your home. Scan all the essential documents and keep them safely in cloud storage. That is an excellent tip for maintaining a sustainable living space even after moving and creating new habits to make your home as eco-friendly as possible.
- Reduce food waste as well – decluttering is not only about old electronics, books, and clothes. People often forget that food waste is also an issue, so plan your meals and try to use up all the perishable foods before the moving day. If that’s impossible, make meals to share with friends, family, or neighbors, or visit the local charity center.
Eco-friendly transport
After you’ve packed your items with minimum environmental impact, it’s time to transport them safely to your new home. That can also be part of your eco-friendly move, so make wise choices when organizing the transport. If hiring a moving team, make sure they tick all the boxes that make them a reliable, professional company that cares about the environment. Green moving teams will use trucks on biodiesel and ensure minimum gas emissions with quick and efficient transport. Moving companies will also provide sustainable packing supplies and connections to the local recycling and donation centers. You can also rent a truck, control your trips between the old and new home, and choose the vehicle you’ll use to transport your belongings.
Final words
It’s not difficult to have an eco-friendly move and help our planet. However, such relocations require creativity and planning, which will benefit the environment and help you feel better about the move. Careful planning and wise choices minimize the risk of having a hectic and wasteful relocation, affecting the environmental impact and your budget. When your relocation is under control and carefully planned every detail, there’s no room for unexpected and unnecessary expenses and a waste of your money and time. So, if there’s an upcoming move in your calendar, start using these tips for securing a mindful and waste-free relocation to a new home.
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