Moving homes can be exciting and nerve-racking at the same time. The logistical aspect of relocating can be stressful, and in the process, you may lose sight of the impact of moving homes on the environment. Surprisingly, home moves have a relatively high carbon footprint.
In this era where man’s activity negatively impacts our environment, it’s essential to keep the environment in our minds in everything we do. Below are some of the things you can do to move homes sustainably.
1. Choose Your Removals Company Cautiously
Several moving companies are starting to modernise how they carry out their services and are employing more eco-friendly strategies. Nowadays, movers schedule video calls with customers to plan a move instead of driving to see the house. These video consultations reduce exposure to illnesses and minimise carbon dioxide that the mover’s vehicles would emit if they drove to the property.
Doing video calls with many movers will significantly lower carbon dioxide emissions. You may also confirm with the movers if their vehicles are energy-efficient and have restrictions on particle emissions.
Your selection can significantly affect the environmental impact of your relocation. Ensure you go through the removal companies’ eco policies and factor them in when deciding.
Search for firms that have energy-efficient cars like vans that operate on biodiesel or hybrid vans. If you don’t find any, look into what actions removalists take to counteract carbon emissions. You can find Perth movers with Muval, an online site that will connect you with moving companies with eco policies to ensure an eco-friendly move.
You can also help minimise carbon emissions by proposing a good route for you and your moving company of choice—plan a route with wide and properly maintained roads and steer clear of roads that are challenging to drive along and those with steep inclines. Note that the cheapest or shortest routes may not always be the most energy-efficient.
2. Reconsider Moving Boxes
Most people use cardboard boxes when moving homes. However, these boxes are made from trees. If you must use them, ensure you flatten and keep them for other things or take them to a recycling depot.
Alternatively, removal companies usually provide reusable plastic containers for your belongings that you can return after unpacking. Reusable instead of recyclable is an excellent alternative. You can use suitcases and drawers as containers for smaller things.
3. De-clutter Vigilantly
Your movers will have to make several trips if you own several things. The more the number of trips, the more carbon emissions from the cars.
By decluttering, you’ll reduce the number of trips required. You’ll also save some cash since you’d have to pay the removalists for additional trips.
It’s advisable to go through your items and take the things you don’t use or need to be upcycled, recycled, or donated to those who need them.
4. Use Eco-friendly Wrappings
Most people often wrap their brittle belongings in bubble wraps, other plastic forms, or styrofoam. Currently, single-use plastic contributes to approximately 40% of all the plastics produced; the earth shouldn’t suffer from your relocation. These plastics aren’t recyclable, so they usually clog up landfills or float on water bodies.
Paper bubble wrap is now available, and using old newspapers is also a great idea. If you want boxes, visit your local shop and request to use their old packaging. Alternatively, you can wrap the breakables in blankets, clothes, beddings, towels, etc.
5. Donate Instead Of Dumping
It’s always a great idea to downsize before moving homes, but you don’t have to dump items that are still in good condition. At times, you relocate to a partly furnished home and need to discard furniture.
Most people dump their old furniture in landfills when they relocate. The landfills create a significant amount of toxic emissions. Instead of dumping it, you should donate your furniture, or if it’s something you’re not certain of getting rid of, you can keep it in storage.
This also applies to clothes; organise the downsizing in advance to avoid panicking and get rid of everything. Think of friends, local charities, and families that can benefit from the items you no longer need.
6. Minimise Chemical Damage
You can limit chemical damage by cleaning responsibly. A lot of cleaning is unavoidable when moving. Ensure you use eco-friendly cleaning products to prevent harmful chemicals from damaging the environment.
You can make cleaning products that protect the planet and save you cash. Make a multipurpose cleaner using one litre of hot water, half a squeezed lemon, baking powder (1 tablespoon), and a quarter cup of white vinegar.
7. Reduce Food Wastage
Although it’s tempting to chuck out all the foodstuff in your old cupboards and have a fresh start in your new home, it’s wise to reconsider this to minimise food wastage.
A couple of weeks before relocating, take a look at your cupboards and plan meals around your food. You can take this as an opportunity to be creative and try new recipes.
Since food doesn’t travel well, particularly the fresh ones, you should try and use everything you have before the move. Even the frozen food will defrost and become unpalatable after the relocation. If you can’t consume all the food, give it to people who need it instead of letting it go to waste.
Wrap Up
You can make moving homes more eco-friendly without wasting time. Hopefully, you find the tips above helpful in reducing the environmental impact of your move. After moving in, use your Energy Performance Certificate as a guide to enhance the property’s energy efficiency.