Green relocation tips for your upcoming move

Let’s face it – relocations aren’t particularly friendly to planet Earth. But they are, nonetheless, events that many of us must go through at least once in a lifetime. And while we can’t make the moving process 100% unharmful, what we can do is adapt it so that it ends up being a tad less damaging. For nature’s wellbeing, we’ve made it our business to create a list of green relocation tips. A list that those practicing a sustainable lifestyle will surely appreciate!

Green relocation tips you should apply onto your next move

How do you feel about moving into your new home? Do you happen to be excited about making green home upgrades upon arrival that will make your home more sustainable? We bet you are! But first, you’ve got the whole relocation to take care of while making sure CO2 emission is kept down to a minimum. Well, here’s how to make that happen!

Take up decluttering

The more things you move, the bigger your carbon footprint. If you wish to relocate sustainably, then you must resort to moving fewer items. That’s where decluttering comes into the picture. Getting rid of everything you deem useless is mandatory. But lets all pause for a moment. The goal isn’t for your belongings to end up in a trash can. Instead, it would be best if you sold them, or better yet, donated them to someone in need.

Don’t use new boxes

Most people use regular cardboard moving boxes to transport their items. And that’s fine, as long as the boxes aren’t new. It is much better to find someone who’s already moved in the past and is willing to let go of their boxes and lend them to you. You’d be doing them a favor, too. For instance, they’ll finally have more space in their home for something that actually matters.

On the other hand, if you don’t happen to stumble upon anyone who’s kept their old moving boxes, there remains the option of renting them. Of course, first, you’ll have to research which companies in your vicinity provide box rental services. After you’ve found the right fit and you’ve successfully utilized the boxes provided, it’s just the matter of returning them so that others can do the same.

Ditch the moving boxes altogether

Who said that boxes were the only items you could use to transport your belongings? There are a variety of other things you could use for the task. Turn to creativity, and use some (or all) of the following, instead:

• Backpacks
• Suitcases
• Shopping bags
• Tote bags (such as this Eco-Friendly Cotton Tote bag)
• Baskets
• Crates
• Vacuum bags

Skip the bubble wrap

Bubble wrap is anything but environmentally friendly. Sadly, it’s something often used to protect items during transit. But what if we told you that skipping the wrap was possible without your belongings suffering in the process? Here, we’ve got a few green relocation tips for you concerning bubble wrap alternatives.

• Cover the TV and monitors with blankets or duvets
• Framed photos and artwork should be kept inside of pillowcases for maximum protection
• Place paper plates in between the dishes to prevent them from breaking mid-transit
• Pad boxes with towels for added protection

Make use of all the extra space

Your furniture might come equipped with hidden storage and/or drawers. Such spaces could definitely come in handy during the move! It’s by putting whatever might fit into every nook and cranny of already existing space that you’ll be able to move smaller items. And it’s not just furniture nooks you could take advantage of. The same is true of planter pots, jars, pans, etc. Put them one into the other, or place something else in them instead. We’ll leave it to you to decide what goes where.

Move everything at once

If you have ever heard of green relocation tips before, you might have heard of this one – moving all contents of a home in one trip. That might not always be possible, but when it is, it absolutely makes sense to do it. And since we’re talking about sustainable habits, yes, it definitely is safer for the planet. Then again, it might also be more practical. It cuts back on time, as well as money. Doesn’t that sound like a win-win combination?

Don’t just throw away the boxes after the move

If you’ve decided on using regular moving boxes, you might be tempted to throw them away once you’ve successfully relocated and unpacked their contents. But don’t do that! Instead, send them to be recycled. That way, they will be given a new life, and thus, a new purpose, which is something mother nature will surely be thankful for!

You might want to consider keeping the boxes around, too, if they happen to be in a good enough shape to use again. You could need them in the future, should you decide to relocate once more. But even if you don’t, they could potentially serve as storage space. The latter is especially true if the boxes you’ve used during the move aren’t that at all, but rather reusable plastic containers.

Takeaway

Now that you are all caught up on the green relocation tips, it’s time to put them to the test. Apply the learned to your upcoming move, and you will soon realize that moving sustainably is, indeed, possible. If you don’t want to do it for yourself, do it for our planet.