Ways To Be More Sustainable When Moving
The relocation process in Australia contributes to air and water pollution. Every year, house and office removals generate thousands of tonnes of waste, including single-use plastic waste, bubble wraps, cardboard boxes, tapes, etc. The worst part is that the majority of waste ends up in landfills and water bodies. Plus, moving trucks emit carbon emissions while depleting non-renewable resources like fossil fuels and petroleum.
However, with smart, eco-friendly choices and an optimistic mindset, you can go more sustainable when relocating your home. Making small efforts can make a huge difference in reducing environmental impact. From choosing plastic-free packing materials to fuel-efficient transportation, you can help reduce your carbon footprints for a better and greener environment.
Today, we bring you 10 exceptional ways to be more sustainable when moving. Ensure you hire highly-trained professionals for eco-friendly removals Sunshine Coast. They strictly adhere to sustainable practices for efficient outcomes while keeping your possessions intact throughout the journey.
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]As soon as you decide to relocate, inspect and downsize your household belongings to get rid of those you no longer need. Moving with clutter or unnecessary items increases the number of packing supplies and trips, leading to higher waste and fuel consumption.
You can donate your pre-loved stuff, such as old furniture, clothing, books, electrical devices/appliances, etc to local thrift stores and charities in Sunshine Coast. Ensure the unwanted items you are donating are good in condition.
Selling usable items on online platforms like Facebook Marketplace can be a great way to reduce load. Instead of tossing waste, you can drop it off responsibility at local recycling centres to reduce landfill waste.
Instead of buying single-use corrugated boxes for packing household belongings, prefer the renting option. You can rent reusable moving crates and boxes from reliable moving companies. If you’re running low on budget, ask for free boxes from a local grocery store, liquor shops, bookstores, supermarkets, neighbours and friends. Check them carefully to ensure they are not torn from any end, as this can put your items at risk. This can also help you reduce moving expenses!
Are you running short of moving boxes? Go sustainable and affordable by using containers you already have to relocate. Pack your items in suitcases, duffel bags, dresser drawers, plastic bins and reusable totes.
However, don’t overstuff boxes, as this can cause breakage to your delicate pieces during loading and transportation.
Unlike bubble wrap and packing peanuts, blankets and towels are sustainable, reusable and affordable. These won’t lead to plastic waste, which is good for the entire ecosystem. You can use soft fabrics like old towels, bed sheets and blankets to add extra cushioning to your breakable pieces, such as glassware, electronics, dishes, lamps, etc.
Ensure you wrap your fragile items securely in a blanket and place them in a moving box. You can also use t-shirts and socks to pack non-breakable items. This method not only awakens your environmental responsibility but also helps you save money. However, if you are concerned about the safety of your furniture and expensive items, hire cheap removalists Sunshine Coast.
Believe it or not! Packing peanuts is one of the key contributors to plastic waste. It is good to replace it with old newspapers to cushion your household items in the boxes. Crumpled newspapers provide extra padding to fill space in a box to prevent shifting and breakage while in transit while reducing moving stress.
Repurposing old newspapers can also minimise waste, making you move sustainably while ensuring the safety of your belongings.
Every trip made during a house/office move contributes to greenhouse gas emissions due to excessive fuel consumption, leading to pollution and depletion of non-renewable resources. If you want to be more sustainable, try to reduce the amount of trips you take back and forth between two points (your old home and a new house). Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Tip: Rent an electric vehicle for local moves to reduce fuel consumption.
People often overlook this aspect when preparing for sustainable relocation. Of course, it seems easier to use plastic water bottles, paper plates and glasses during and after the relocation until you unpack kitchen items in your new home. However, using single-use disposables can lead to excessive landfill waste. So, the best hack is to pack reusable water bottles, a few plates and forks in an survival moving-day kit.
You can adopt sustainability when setting up utility services in your new home. You can transfer existing energy providers to a green electricity plan (if available). It is also good to use LED bulbs instead of traditional bulbs to save energy and electricity bills. Also, install water-saving showerheads and faucets before moving into your new home. Believe it or not! Little changes can help conserve non-renewable resources for future generations.
This is one of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint. It is good to hire seasoned removvalists Sunshine Coast committed to green moving practices. Such companies use biodiesel fuels for efficient transportation, pack using plastic-free and reusable supplies, and reduce landfill waste to help you adopt a sustainable approach with ease. You can search reputable movers online, ask relevant questions and check their credibility before making the final decision.
Never pack old batteries, electronics, chemical cleaning products, pesticides and fertilisers when relocating home. These can lead to fire threats and other hazardous conditions while in transit. Instead of tossing them, safely dispose of them to prevent carbon emissions. You can drop off old electronics at recycling centres and dispose of paint, oil and harmful chemicals at a dedicated disposal facility.
A sustainable house move requires intensive planning, environmental awareness, and conscious decision-making skills. By reducing clutter, donating unwanted items, using eco-friendly packing materials and choosing a green moving company can help you reduce your carbon footprint during the process.
