If you are someone who is always looking out for the environment, you are no doubt aware of the areas we don’t think about. You might recycle and try to walk rather than drive, but have you ever considered the environmental impact of a house move? You might be surprised to find out how much simply moving house can contribute to your overall carbon footprint – but don’t let that put you off making that move.
We have come up with some top tips for making your house move more eco-friendly, so you can feel good about every part of your big day.
Donate unwanted goods
It can be tempting to simply throw out things you don’t need in the stress of moving. After all, it’s easier to toss something in the trash, right? Wrong! Rehoming your pre-loved items is a great way to reduce your ecological impact. When we move, we tend to notice all the things we haven’t used in a while, so now is the perfect time to send them on to a great new home. There are many charities that will collect items from your house, from old clothes to large pieces of furniture, making it even easier to donate in your local area.
Source boxes carefully
One thing almost everyone requires for a house move is some good, sturdy boxes. You might be surprised to hear that you can find cheaper boxes pre-used, with many made from recycled materials. Best of all, there is no need to work out what to do with them once you’re finished. You can pass them along to somebody new once you have moved, saving on stress and environmental impact.
Avoid bubble wrap
We are all trying to use less plastic these days, but we don’t think twice about wrapping up our plates and glasses with bubble wrap. Choose a small change that could make a big difference when you wrap your breakable items with towels, blankets, clothes and other soft things from around the house. For smaller pieces, you may want to use old newspapers, which you can recycle once you have unpacked.
Pick paperless
During a move, one of the biggest time and energy drains is switching over to your new address with your energy providers, friends and companies that might send mail to your house. An easy way to ensure that you don’t end up with a pile of letters at your old property is by updating your details and going paperless at the same time. Not only will this save you an annoying headache as you have to swing by your old home to pick up your mail, but it will also save a few trees too.
Go green
While you are updating your address, you might want to think about making the switch to a green energy provider. This is an easy way to help the planet that won’t cause much of an impact on your daily life. While it might feel like a hassle usually, this is the perfect time to make the change. You can also trade out your old lights for newer, more energy-efficient lighting in your new home. These little changes really can make all the difference!
Clean consciously
When cleaning your new property (or polishing up your old home for its new occupants), make a small shift that could help the environment. Changing out your usual cleaning products for eco-friendly alternatives is an excellent way to be a little greener during your move. In fact, you can even make your own cleaning products using natural items you probably already have around the home, such as lemon and vinegar, for an amazing non-toxic clean.
Get in touch
If you want to make a move, then JD Movers is here for you. Our reliable and experienced removalists are skilled in all sizes of move and can guarantee a smooth journey to your new home. Get in touch with us to find out how we can help to take a little of the stress out of your move.