Realistically speaking, moving to a new home can be a life-changing event but it can also have a negative impact on the environment. When you relocate, you usually use disposable packing materials and make several trips with a moving truck, thereby increasing your carbon footprint.
Fortunately, it’s not too late to minimize the environmental impact of your move. There are plenty of ways you can do to make this whole process eco-friendly. These can include:
1. Donate Unnecessary Items
In most cases, a relocation provides an opportunity to get rid of the stuff you no longer need and use. However, getting rid of these things doesn’t mean you throw them out to a garbage can, thereby ending up in the landfills.
Instead, donate these items to a local charity nearby so they can be recycled and used for other purposes. By doing this, you can prevent a lot of things from ending up in the landfills which may have a negative environmental impact.
Moreover, when you donate unnecessary items, you’re able to minimize the number of boxes you’re going to move to your new home. This can help you reduce the number of trips you have to do in the moving truck, thereby reducing the carbon footprint.
2. Work With An Eco-Friendly Moving Company
Another best way to make your move eco-friendly is to hire a long distance moving company that’s committed to environmental practices. Typically, a green moving service provider makes use of biodiesel fuel during the relocation. Not only that but they can also help you provide some reusable moving boxes so you don’t need to buy the disposable ones.
Therefore, if you want to protect the environment while you’re moving, be sure to work with professionals who have utmost dedication to keep Mother Earth clean and healthy. You can do this by conducting a background check to check their experience and reputation in handling eco-friendly relocations.
3. Avoid Using Plastic Packing Materials
Having green boxes is great but if the items used in packing your belongings are plastic, then, your eco-friendly move isn’t as efficient as it should be. To ensure a green relocation process, make use of sustainable packing materials like newspapers. Instead of using bubble wraps, you can pack all your items with newspapers to avoid adverse environmental impact.
Also, if you have old old clothes or sheets in your home, you can use these things to pack your things. By doing this, you no longer need to buy new packing supplies which isn’t an eco-friendly decision for your relocation.
4. Look For Used Boxes
In addition to old clothes and other things in your home, it’s best to look for used moving boxes if you’re looking for an eco-friendly relocation. For instance, you can call up some friends, family members, neighbors, and even your local grocery stores to ask whether they have spare boxes you can use for packing all your stuff.
Instead of buying new moving boxes, you can save money and at the same time protect the environment by reusing old boxes. Just make sure these boxes are durable and in good working condition before deciding to reuse them.
Remember, you should only purchase new boxes as a last resort. As long as you have enough options, try to get the most out of the used ones to make your move more eco-friendly.
5. Perform Few Back And Forth Trips
Another effective green moving tip to consider is to do fewer back and forth trips as much as possible. Instead of paying attention to small trips, consider getting all your belongings shipped at one time. You can do this by seeking help from movers in Manhattan NYC or wherever you may be, who have the necessary resources to pull off a successful move. Always keep in mind that the less trips you make, the better for you and the environment.
6. Go Green With Your New Home
Of course, your relocation doesn’t end by unloading all your belongings from the moving truck. Hence, if you’re advocating for an eco-friendly moving experience, then, you should also go green at your new home by doing the following:
- Keep some of your packing supplies for your future relocation. For example, you can store the boxes in the storage room if you think they can still be used next time.
- Keep your new home clean with eco-friendly cleaning supplies. For instance, you can make your own cleaning materials using baking soda to remove dirt and a solution from water and white vinegar to clean the bathroom and hardwood floors.
- Don’t forget to unplug appliances when they’re not in use to save power.
- Consider installing energy-efficient light fixtures throughout your new home.
The Takeaway
With the information mentioned above, it’s certainly possible to make your relocation as green as possible. As long as you plan and prepare for it, the entire process will run smoothly and successfully.
What are your favorite eco-friendly moving tips?
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“Shared at Homestead Blog Hop #320”
Moving can be such a huge job. Thanks for the useful tips and for sharing at the Homestead Blog Hop!