Six Ways to Make Your Move Eco-friendly
Moving is always an effort. It requires a lot of time, energy and planning. However, your removal does not have to be taxing on the environment. If you are worried about the environmental impact of your move, then take heart. There are some simple measures you can take to reduce your impact on the natural world. Here are six easy ideas to get you started.
1. Reuse Old Boxes
Boxes are the best option to keep your things safe. However, boxes are not exactly environmentally friendly. It is even worse when you think about how many boxes you will need. You will generally be generating a lot of waste. In some circumstances, this is unavoidable. However, If you want to limit your environmental impact, then opt for used boxes. You could collect used boxes that you already own. Save boxes from your recent deliveries. Ask around to see where you can find used boxes from other families or shops. This small step can have a huge impact. Be sure to recycle the boxes when you are done. Better still, see if you can pass them along to someone else in need.
2. Get Creative with Packing Materials
In addition to boxes, you will need packing materials for inside the boxes. While some items will be safe in a box by themselves, most things need packing material to prevent scratching or breaking. Traditionally, items like bubble wrap or packing paper have been used. While these materials are effective, they are also bad for the environment. If you want to lessen your carbon footprint, look for alternative packing materials. Save old newspapers or magazines. Use blankets, towels or clothing that you already own. If you must use store-bought packing materials, always look for options that can be recycled.
3. Downsize In Advance
Another great way to make your move more eco-friendly is to downsize. Downsizing is both practical for you and for the environment. Firstly, if you have less stuff, then you will require fewer packing materials. You will use fewer boxes and less packing material. Moreover, as you reduce your belongings, you are minimizing the amount of space you need in the moving truck, meaning your load is lighter, transportation uses less fuel. An added bonus is the time taken to move will be less and ultimately provide a cost saving to you. Plus, when downsizing, unwanted items can be donated to a local charity. This is the best form of recycling.
4. Use Natural Cleaners
Moving is always a time to clean! You have to clean your former home. You also need to ‘spring clean’ your new home. With all this scrubbing, pay special attention to the cleaners you are using. Many cleaning products rely on toxic chemicals that can pose a risk to you and the environment. Instead, you should look for natural cleaning solutions. Natural cleaners are still able to tackle the toughest mess, but they rely on ingredients that do not harm the environment. There are some store brands that are natural alternatives. You can also make your own cleaning solutions with ingredients like water, vinegar and baking soda.
5. Prepare in Advance
As you get ready for your Sydney removal, be sure to give yourself plenty of time. Waiting until the last minute creates more stress during your move. This stress may cause you to make bad decisions that you would otherwise avoid. Many of these decisions may be detrimental to the environment. Imagine that it is the last minute. You still have a whole room to pack. In desperation, you go out and buy boxes and packing materials. In your haste, you pack less efficiently, and you end up with twice as many boxes as you would otherwise need. This can largely be avoided if you take your time and get things organised early.
6. Find the Best Removalist
The final tip to making your Sydney removal as eco-friendly as possible is to hire the best removalists. Professional removalists have the skills and tools to get things done more efficiently. Giraffe Removals is proud to serve the Sydney community. Contact our team today to discuss your plans for an eco-friendly move.