How to Make Your House Move Eco-Friendly

Moving house can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be at the expense of the environment. By adopting eco-friendly practices, you can make your move not only smoother but also more sustainable.

Here are some helpful suggestions for making your house move more eco-friendly.

Declutter before packing

When planning for a move, it’s important to think about reducing the number of items you own. This will result in needing fewer boxes and less packaging, as well as the possibility of using a smaller removal van. Not only will this save you money, but it will also reduce carbon emissions.

When it comes to getting rid of things, don’t just throw them in the bin. Instead, separate items into three piles: donate, sell, and recycle.

Donating, Selling & Recycling

Consider donating any items that still have some use left in them, such as old clothes, furniture, or toys. Charity shops are always pleased to receive such items, or you could list items on local online groups, such as Facebook or Nextdoor. For items with greater value, selling them could help offset the cost of your move.

It’s important to sort and recycle any items that are no longer needed and to take them to the correct recycling points. Some examples of items that can be recycled at home include old newspapers, magazines, and empty toiletry bottles. Check with your local council as to what can and cannot be collected for home recycling.

Old clothing and shoes can be taken to a recycling point in most towns. For larger items like electrical goods and furniture, a trip to the local recycling centre may be necessary.

Cardboard Boxes

When moving, using boxes to transport your belongings is essential. However, there are ways to minimize the environmental impact.

If you are buying new boxes, make sure they are of good quality and sturdy. This will allow you to sell them or donate them later on.

Before you start packing, enquire with your preferred removals company about their box supply. If you opt for their packing and unpacking service, they may provide you with their own labelled boxes. These boxes may then be collected and reused for future jobs after your move. It’s worth asking.

Alternatively, keep a look out for individuals who are donating old boxes or enquire in local shops. Just make sure the boxes are sturdy enough to securely hold your items without them collapsing.

Then once you finish unpacking your boxes, you can donate them via local Facebook groups, return them to your moving company, or offer them locally for craft projects.

Get creative with packaging

When it comes to packaging, why not get creative and think outside the box, quite literally.

Take a look around your home and consider using alternative items instead of traditional cardboard boxes. For example, suitcases, laundry baskets, and storage boxes can make excellent substitutes. If you don’t have these items on hand, consider asking friends and family to see if they can lend you any.

Packaging materials

When packing your boxes for a move, it’s important to consider the best way to protect fragile items from damage caused by knocks and bumps.

Bubble wrap is a popular choice when it comes to packaging. However, being made of plastic may put you off. If you do decide to use it, keep in mind that you can always donate it to others who are moving when you are finished with it. Just resist the urge to pop the bubbles, so that it still remains effective!

Bubble wrap can also be recycled alongside other plastic films, like plastic bags, at designated recycling bins. These bins are typically advertised for plastic bag recycling and can be found at most grocery stores.

Visit the RecycleNow website for details of your nearest supermarket recycling drop off.

Another option is to save up newspapers and packaging materials, like packing peanuts, received from deliveries, and ask friends and family members to do the same.

And of course, another eco-friendly alternative is to use clean towels, clothes, or linens to wrap breakables. This is a great space-saving technique.

Hire a big van or Removals Company

When thinking about the carbon emissions involved in moving your possessions from one place to another, it’s better to use a single large truck to transport ALL of your items in one go. This is more efficient than using several smaller vehicles and making multiple trips back and forth.

A professional removal company such as Casey’s Removals can conduct a free Home Removal Survey to determine the number of items you have and recommend the appropriate vehicle size to move everything in a single trip.