How To Organise An Eco-Friendly House Move
Moving house involves a lot of tasks, big and small. Moreover, you will find that many decisions need to be made during this process. It is, therefore, not surprising that most neglect to ensure that their upcoming house move is eco friendly.
Use a Moving House Checklist to make the process easier!
Fortunately, it is not difficult to make your move more environmentally conscious. With some organisation and careful planning, you can easily reduce your carbon footprint while moving house.
Eco-Friendly Moving Tips To Remember When Moving House
Planning an eco-friendly house move does not need to be complicated. By following the simple tips below, you can reduce your environmental impact while making your move as stress-free as possible.
Declutter Your Belongings
When organising an eco-friendly house move, the first thing you must do is declutter your belongings. This may be a difficult task, but it is well worth the effort. It will make packing and transporting your possessions much easier, but it will also reduce the amount of waste produced during your move.
Selling or donating any unnecessary items will help minimise the amount of waste produced. Furthermore, it is a great way to make some extra money or help those in need.
You may be wondering, “How is that eco-friendly?” By getting rid of your unnecessary belongings, you will be reducing the number of items that need to be transported and the amount of space they will take up in the moving van. This means that less fuel will be used, resulting in lower emissions.
Moreover, you will find that by doing this, you will be using fewer packing materials. That, in turn, means you can significantly reduce the amount of waste that is produced during your move.
If you are not sure about where exactly to take your unwanted items, here are some great options:
- Sell your items online or at a garage sale
- Donate them to local thrift stores, shelters, or charity shops
- Give them to family or friends
Here’s a list of the Most Common Packing Materials Needed For Moving
Look For Alternative Packing Materials
When it comes to packing materials, there are many eco-friendly options available. For example, you can use recycled cardboard boxes or fabric bags instead of traditional plastic moving boxes. Check out this Moving Box Guide.
You may even be able to find some second-hand boxes from family and friends or at your local grocery store. Just make sure that these boxes are clean and in good condition, as they will be housing your belongings during the move. If you will be using new cardboard boxes, here are some things you can do with them after the move.
It would also be helpful for you to use alternatives to bubble wrap to protect fragile items and your other belongings. For example, you could use old newspapers, blankets, towels or sheets. Not only will this help you save on packaging materials, but it will also help keep your belongings clean and free from scratches.
Hire An Environmentally Conscious Removals Team/Man And Van Team
When it comes to the actual moving process, you should consider hiring an environmentally conscious removal or man and van team. These companies are not only careful with your belongings, but they also take care to reduce their environmental impact.
Not quite sure how to determine if a company is eco friendly? Here are some things you can look for:
- Do they use energy-efficient vehicles or enhanced environmentally friendly vehicles?
- Do they recycle or reuse packing materials?
- Do they offer carbon offsetting services?
Some of these man and van or removals companies also offer a wide range of moving van size options, so be sure to choose the one that is most appropriate for your needs. This will help reduce the number of trips your movers will have to take and therefore minimise the amount of fuel used, resulting in lower emissions.
Determine if you need a man and van or a removals company here.
Use Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Before you move into your new home, you will want to give it a good clean. This is particularly important if you are renting, as you will want to get your deposit back.
However, when cleaning your new home, be sure to use eco-friendly cleaning products. These products are not only better for the environment but also for your health.
Some of the best eco-friendly cleaning products include:
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Olive oil
- Castile soap
These are all great alternatives to traditional cleaning products, often containing harmful chemicals. Not only will they leave your new home sparkling clean, but they will also be much better for the environment.
Now that you know how to organise an eco-friendly house move go ahead and get started! It may take a little more effort, but it will be well worth it!
Need more moving tips? Check out our Moving Advice Section!