These are the Steps for Moving Green
Moving is a big exercise that will usually involve many people and the transportation of lots of stuff. This often requires loads of energy and resources expended that can have a negative environmental impact. To move green, the object is that when you move to a new home, you pack and travel efficiently. This requires planning and some smart choices like hiring professional removalists to assist you. Here are ways to make your move green:
Use a Eco-Friendly Moving Company
In Australia, eco-Friendly moving companies like Pro Removalists Brisbane are experts at efficiently moving you from your current to your new destination. In their case, because they know the best routes and local roads, they save time and energy. Reducing carbon emissions by using less fuel is a great step in helping the environment. Their better packing techniques will also mean fewer boxes, which means fewer trips and less energy expended. Hiring eco-friendly companies like Pro Removalists contributes to saving the plant and supports your moving green.
Recycle
You will find that many of the things from you old location are no longer viable in your new place, and other stuff perhaps should have been discarded a long time ago. This means that you need to find a way to get rid of these things responsibly. A good approach is that as you are cleaning out your house for the move, gather all the stuff that you will not be taking and that can be recycled. This can include anything from wire hangers, to old keys, to plastic bins, to old electrical appliances. All of these can be recycled or reused by others. Gather all the stuff that can be sold and have a yard sale. For those things that will not sell, search for local thrift stores or charitable agencies around your neighborhood where you can donate your unwanted, yet reusable items. Remember, if you place them in the trash, more likely than not they will end up in the landfill and add to our mountains of waste, so do the smart thing, recycle.
Use Sustainable Moving Materials
During the move, you will undoubtedly be using many boxes to hold your stuff. There are ways you can use environmentally friendly packaging materials such as boxes made from recycled paper, or bubble wraps made with biodegradable materials instead of plastic. There are also alternatives to brown boxes such as rubber bins that you can easily fill up and slide across the floor. In any case, if you are using cardboard boxes to hold your belongings, be sure to recycle them after your move. Moving companies will sometimes rent you boxes or purchase them back from you after the move, so see if this is an option. Also, use old newspapers or magazine pages instead of new packing paper to cushion fragile items, and they can be recycled, too. Sheets, towels and throw pillows also make great packing materials. If you have to use packing peanuts, avoid styrofoam and seek out the biodegradable kind. These steps all contribute to your moving green.
Downsize and Use Storage
Look around your current home or apartment and be honest. Do you simply have too much stuff? For most of us the answer is yes and if you have lived at your current place for a long time the answer may be that you have way too much stuff. Many of these things may be plugged in even though you never use them. Go through your belongings with an eye toward removing clutter and being more efficient in your new place. Seriously consider putting some stuff in storage. Many people use self-storage, whether it’s for keeping their clutter away from the home, storing of business items, or simply to help out when moving house. Ask your local furniture removalist about different storage solutions to suit your budget. This option will allow you keep your less used items but not have them occupy space in your new home. Less items you have to plug in so you can minimize wasted energy.
As you can see there are many ways to stay green when moving house. Next time you move think of ways you can make a cleaner, greener environment.
