A lot of planning goes into moving to a new home. There’s a lot to think about and a lot to do if you want your move to go off without a hitch. Moving house can also have a significant impact on the environment. It can generate a lot of waste with everything from packing materials to transportation emissions potentially causing harm to the environment. But with a little planning and some conscious decision-making, it is possible to make your move more sustainable.
In today’s blog post, we’ll be discussing some of our eco-friendly tips and practices that can help you reduce your carbon footprint and make your move a more environmentally friendly one.
6 tips to make your next house move more sustainable
Purge and Donate
Before you start packing, take the opportunity to declutter and minimise your belongings. Sort through your possessions and donate, sell, or recycle items you no longer need. By reducing the number of items you move, you’ll not only save space but also minimise the resources required for transportation.
Choose Eco-Friendly Packing Materials
Opt for sustainable packing materials to minimise the amount of waste. Instead of using traditional cardboard boxes, consider using eco-friendly alternatives such as reusable plastic containers or biodegradable boxes made from recycled materials. You can also use your suitcases, duffel bags, or baskets to pack your belongings. If you do need cardboard boxes consider repurposing boxes previously used by supermarkets or others who’ve recently moved. Social media sites often have people giving away the boxes they’ve recently used for their move.
Go Digital with Documents
There’s a lot of paperwork associated with moving house – with final bills, mortgage paperwork, solicitor documents etc. Where possible, reduce your paper waste by digitising your important documents. Instead of printing and carrying physical copies, scan and store them securely on your computer or in the cloud. This not only saves resources but also ensures that your documents are easily accessible during and after the move.
Choose Greener Transportation
Consolidating your belongings will reduce the number of trips it will take to move your things. The less items you have the less trips you’ll need to take. At Evesham Transport, we have a fleet of vehicles in various sizes and where possible we will try and do your move in one go. This will help to reduce emissions and fuel consumption and have less of an impact on the environment.
Energy-Saving Measures
Before leaving your old home, ensure that you turn of an unplug all lights, appliances, and electronics. This small step can significantly reduce energy consumption. Additionally, consider switching to energy-efficient LED bulbs in your new home to minimise electricity usage.
Sustainable Unpacking
After arriving at your new home, strive for sustainable unpacking practices. Instead of buying new furniture or décor, explore charity shops, online marketplaces, or community swap groups for gently used items. If you have leftover packing materials, find recycling centers or pass them on to others who can make use of them.
Final Thoughts
With so many ways to make your house move more sustainable, there are no excuses not to adopt some eco-friendly practices. It will make a huge difference to the environment in the long term and it may even save you some money too – which frankly at the moment is not a bad thing. These are just some of the ways you can be more eco-friendly in your move and there are other things you can do. Consider planting some trees, flowers or shrubs at your new house or choosing a green mortgage when you buy your property. By taking small steps such as these, you can make your move more sustainable and do your part for the planet.