Make Your Upcoming Move More Eco-Friendly With These 3 Tips

Around 63% of adults have moved to a new community at least once in their lives, so there’s a good chance that you or someone you know might be planning to move house in the near future. More and more families are making the effort to go green these days, but some worry that a move will have a big impact on their carbon footprint. The truth is that there are a lot of ways to make sure your move is as eco-friendly as possible, even if you don’t live in an area with green moving services. We’ve outlined three of them below.

1. Donate as much as you canWhile your local furniture delivery services will make it easy to transport everything from one home to the next, that doesn’t mean you should take everything. Not only will bringing stuff you don’t need translate into a much higher moving cost, but it could also require more gasoline to make the trip (which means higher emission levels). You might even create more waste than necessary when you realize you don’t want to keep everything you’ve packed. Try to maintain a discerning eye and donate as much as you can before packing it all up. That way, these items will get an entirely new life and you’ll feel good about knowing you didn’t just put them at the curb.
2. Use eco-friendly packing materialsInstead of reaching for newly purchased cardboard boxes and packing peanuts, put a little more thought into how you ready everything for transport. Look for biodegradable peanuts (which can easily be dissolved in water after your move) and use towels, blankets, and newspapers instead of materials that will just end up in the trash. Try using reusable crates, suitcases, and tubs you already have, rather than boxes you can buy. Some moving services even let you rent or borrow their supplies for moving, but it’s best to ask beforehand. No matter what, plan ahead so you don’t have to go out and purchase materials you can’t use multiple times.
3. Opt for green cleaning productsOnce you’ve packed everything up and need to tackle the leftover dirt and grime — or after you’ve arrived at your new location and need to give everything a thorough scrubbing — you should look into using green cleaning products instead of ones that contain harmful chemicals. There are a lot of name brand products that have been around for decades that fall under this umbrella, but there are also tons of ingredients you probably have in your cupboard that will do an excellent job, too. Not only will these products be totally safe for your family, but you’ll also be secure in the knowledge that you won’t be responsible for releasing toxins into the air or having their remnants end up in landfills.

Depending on where you live, you may not have access to green moving services. Although there are many companies that are starting to embrace eco-friendly practices, it’s not always an option. If you want to make sure your move is green, follow these tips to make sure your waste and emissions are as low as possible in your specific circumstances.