Moving to a new home is an exciting chapter, but it can also come with a significant environmental impact. From packing materials to transporting belongings, the process of relocating often generates waste and consumes resources. However, with a bit of planning and mindful choices, it’s possible to make your move more sustainable. In this guide, we’ll explore practical tips and eco-friendly strategies to help you minimise your carbon footprint, reduce waste, and make your move as green as possible.
Whether you’re relocating across town or to a new city, these sustainable moving practices will ensure that your transition is not only smooth but also kind to the planet.
Related article: Five mantras to get you in the mood to declutter
Related article: My secrets to keep your home organised and tidy
Declutter responsibly
It makes sense — the less you move, the less impact you’ll have on the environment. So moving house is the perfect opportunity to declutter. Instead of throwing away items you no longer want, consider donating, recycling, selling or gifting them. Many local charities accept everything from furniture and clothing, to household goods and old bedding.
Tidying up not only creates space, but also clarifies what’s important. Start in one room and work your way systematically through the house. If you haven’t used an item for a long time, consider if it really needs to come with you to your new home. This often includes clothes, old books, electronics and kitchen utensils. Anything that is broken or no longer used should be disposed of, given away or sold.
Decluttering also makes it easier to settle into your new home. You’ll be less likely to have boxes of stuff sitting in your new garage for months as all the items you packed are things you want and need. It also helps you to maximise the use of space in your new home, creating a more calm and orderly space.
Use reusable or eco-friendly packing materials
An essential part of moving house is protecting the items you transport. By making some clever swaps or more mindful decisions, you can be a lot more sustainable when moving house.
For example, instead of buying new cardboard boxes, try and source old ones from friends, neighbours or local businesses. Borrowing instead of buying new doesn’t just help the environment, it also saves on the cost of moving.
Similarly, plastic bubble wrap and disposable packaging are a burden on the environment. If you need to purchase packing materials, consider using eco-friendly options. For example, instead of plastic packing tape, you can use paper tape. And instead of bubble wrap, you can use recyclable honeycomb paper.
It may be possible to do away with packaging materials altogether — further minimising your impact on the environment and burden on your wallet! For example, instead of bubble wrap, consider wrapping fragile objects using clothing, towels or bed linen. These are already available and reduce the need for packaging materials. Old newspapers and magazines can also be used for filling empty spaces in boxes and wrapping fragile items. And instead of boxes, for some items you may be able to use suitcases, backpacks or bags. These items are sturdy and save on the need for additional cardboard boxes.
Companies that specialise in removals often offer the option of borrowing removal materials, which is particularly practical for interstate removals. This is good for the environment, as less packaging material ends up in landfill, and saves costs at the same time.
Well organised saves kilometres
A well-planned move not only saves time, but also significantly reduces the fuel consumption. By loading the vehicle in the most efficient way and determining the optimum route in advance, you can reduce unnecessary travelling back and forth.
Efficient loading
How you pack your removal vehicle plays a major role in the efficiency of the move. This is where sorting out before the move pays off. Heavy and large furniture should be loaded first, followed by smaller items that fit into the remaining gaps. This maximises the available space and reduces the need for additional journeys — not only saving fuel, but also reducing the physical effort for removal workers.
Coordinate your trip
Taking the time to map out your journey also increases the efficiency of your move. It’s best to move during non-peak hours to avoid traffic and idling. If you’re hiring a moving company, encourage them to use larger vehicles to minimise the number of trips needed.
Use eco-friendly cleaning supplies
Thorough cleaning before and after the move is essential to leave both the old and the new home in perfect condition. When cleaning your old home and preparing your new one, opt for ecological cleaning agents that do not contain aggressive chemicals and are kind to the environment. Many commercial cleaning supplies contain harmful chemicals that can negatively impact both your health and the environment. Look for biodegradable, non-toxic cleaners or create your own using natural ingredients like vinegar, baking soda and citric acid.
Recycle and dispose of waste properly
As well as decluttering items and disposing of or recycling these properly, you may also generate other waste when moving house. For example, it can be common to replace carpets to prepare a house for sale. Check in your local area to see if there’s a recycling centre that can reuse old carpet.
You may also find hazardous waste like old batteries, chemicals or paint that you need to dispose of. Rather than simply placing these in the rubbish, look for designated recycling centres where they can dispose of these safely or even recycle these materials.
Do you have any other tips on how to be sustainable when moving house? Tell us in the comments below so we can update this article with even more tips and tricks.
More tips when selling or renting
