Are you planning a move? Whether you're upsizing, downsizing, or simply relocating, there are some top tips on what you can do to make your moving day more eco-friendly (and budget-friendly).
Give Yourself Ample Time For Your Moving Preparations
Be proactive with your trash removal by planning ahead of time. If you prepare early, you may have more time to sift through your stuff and donate or sell it, rather than simply throwing it away for convenience.
Sort Your Belongings Into Separate Piles
Go through your belongings and separate your belongings into piles: a pile to keep, a pile to recycle, a pile to throw away, and a pile to sell/donate. Not only will this lighten your load, but it will also save you money on moving costs.
Donate, Don't Throw It away.
When you're purging your belongings, don't just toss everything in the trash. See if there's anything you can donate to a local charity or thrift store or give to a friend.
Many people sell their items on sites like Ebay and Facebook Marketplace, which are both popular ways to buy and sell secondhand goods. If you let your items be taken away, you'll save money on shipping and time, especially if they're hefty.
There are many benefits to going second-hand, both for individuals who want to enhance their homes and for those who need certain furnishing or decorations. It may also work in the opposite direction: if you need specific furniture or decor, look secondhand to save it from going straight to the landfill.
Invest In Eco-Friendly Packing Materials
Forget about using styrofoam peanuts or bubble wrap. There are plenty of eco-friendly options available now, like recycled paper and biodegradable bubble wrap and packing peanuts. You can even find reusable packing materials, like fabric bags and old blankets.
For moving boxes, see if you have any old cardboard boxes lying around in your garage, borrow some boxes from friends, or even look on Facebook marketplace to see if anyone has spare boxes from their move. You can even try going to the local shops and seeing if any of them have spare packaging boxes.
An alternative for traditional moving boxes includes:
- Using your luggage bags to store clothes
- Using spare and durable reusable shopping bags from supermarkets
Don't forget to label your packing boxes/bags with its content, and which room the box needs to go in.
Protect Your Furniture During Your Move
When moving, you want to make sure that your furniture arrives in the same condition as when it left. Here are a few tips for protecting your furniture during a move in an eco-friendly manner:
- Use reusable packing blankets and towels to protect your furniture from scratches and dents.
- Place cardboard between furniture legs and the sides of the boxes to avoid scratches.
- If possible, take apart furniture pieces and reassemble them at your new home. This will not only save space in the moving truck but will also help to avoid damage.
Go Digital
Instead of packing up boxes of books, DVDs, and CDs, go digital. Scan important documents and photos, and save them to a cloud storage service. This will not only save space, but it will also keep your belongings safe in case of damage or loss.
Having less items to move can also lower your removal costs. You can donate your old DVDs and books to the charity shops.
Plan Your Meals And Fresh Ingredients
When it comes to the last week or so, be sure to plan your meals so you don't over-buy and potentially waste fresh ingredients that may turn bad during your move. Try to use up everything in your pantry and fridge, and give away any non-perishable items that you won't be able to take with you.
You can even drop off any remaining non-perishable items to homeless shelters too.
Hire An Eco-Friendly Removal Company
With hiring removal companies, be sure to ask about their environmental policies. Many companies are now offering eco-friendly options, like using recycled materials and fuel or energy-efficient vehicles. If you are conscious about carbon emissions during your moving process, be sure to research and find a suitable eco-friendly company to help you move.
It's Easy To Go Green For Your Next House Move
Moving house can be expensive, especially with rising energy bills and the cost of living to deal with once you move. Luckily, there are a lot of easy ways to make your home more eco-friendly, and many of them will also save you money at the same time.
Just by making a few simple changes, you can help to protect the environment and reduce your impact on the planet. So why not give it a try? You might be surprised at how easy it is to go green.
Make your next moving day more eco-friendly, budget-friendly, and stress-free.