The New Shift Into Green Thinking
We are all concerned about the impacts of climate change.
It is now undeniable that human activities have been a key factor in this warming trend at a rate that has not been seen in over a millennia.
In fact, the planet’s average surface temperature has risen about two degrees since the late 19th century, largely driven by increased carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere caused by human activities.
Most of the warming in the planet has occurred in the past 40 years.
But while it looks like a problem for future generations to come, you have to ask yourself ‘what can I do to change the situation?’
Luckily for us, people are starting to take more notice of this growing problem and there has been a general shift in the general population becoming considerably more conscious about it’s repercussions, as well as the direction that the Earth is heading in general.
Since 2017 there has been an increased trend in Google searches connected to topics related to sustainable products, which saw a rise of over 130% from 2017 all the way to the current previous year 2022.
This backs up the notion that consumers are now starting to become more conscious about using goods and services which will impact the Earth in a more positive way.
When it comes to moving homes however, people are still unaware of what can be done to become more sustainable during a relocation. So what can be done to improve this?
We take a closer look in this article.
DeClutter And Donate!
When it comes to moving to a new home or offices, this represents a golden opportunity to embrace an eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyle that helps minimise the overall impact to the environment.
One of the best ways of doing this is to declutter and donate items that you no longer need in your new home.
By doing so, you are giving these items a second lease of life as it helps reduce wastage. It also contributes to the community.
Some of the items that you can consider donating are the following :
- Used Clothing, Shoes, And Accessories
- Children’s Clothing And Toys
- The Belts, Bags And Purses
- Used Furniture Such As Chairs Sofas Or Tables
- Kitchenware Such As Pots And Pans Or Utensils
- Books And Magazines
- Working Appliances Such As Microwaves
- Musical Instruments
- Pet Supplies And Toys Or Beds
- Tools And Hardware
As a rule of thumb, ensure that the items you donate to charity are still in reasonably good condition so they can be used by others!
Consider Reusable Moving Boxes
Rather than using cardboard boxes that are disposable, why not consider renting reusable plastic moving boxes instead?
Plastic boxes are much more durable than cardboard boxes and are also much more stackable, eliminating the need for cardboard wastage.
If you are having trouble finding or renting high quality moving boxes, you will find many companies offer these online.
Also as a pro tip, if you are using professional removalists, you will find that many moving companies offer free moving boxes when relocating with them.
To summarise, these types of moving boxes come with many advantages over traditional cardboard ones which include:
- They Are Often Waterproof
- Many Of Them Also Have A Leak-Resistant Lid
- They Are Highly Stackable
- They Can Help You Save Money
- They Are Also Crush-Proof As They Do Not Collapse
Consider Using Eco-Friendly Packing Materials
When in the packing phase of your move, why not choose eco-friendly alternatives to traditional packing materials that people normally use?
For example, instead of using bubble wrap, consider using recyclable packing paper or biodegradable packing materials made from renewable sources.
Nowadays, brands sell paper cushion wrap and even biodegradable tape, while even clothes such as towels or other fabric items can be used over other cushioning materials.
This way, you are reducing wastage and minimising your environmental footprint.
Dispose Of Your Hazardous Materials The Right Way
Disposing of hazardous materials should be done responsibly. Do not throw these items into the bin, or landfills.
Improper handling and disposal of these substances can pose a risk to human health, including the environment and as such, doing so properly is very important.
This includes items such as old batteries, flammable liquids, pesticides, cleaning chemicals or old paints.
Here are some top tips on how to deal with these materials:
- Check the product labels for warnings or symbols indicating hazardous contents.
- Separate and secure hazardous materials by storing them in their original containers.
- Keep these materials out of direct sunlight and from pets and children.
- Never pour hazardous materials down drains, toilets or storm sewers! They can contaminate water supplies.
Remember, proper disposal of these types of materials is paramount and essential for protecting human health and the environment.
Consider A Sustainable Transportation Strategy
When planning your move to your new home, try plan a form of transportation that minimises your carbon footprint.
For example, consider using hybrid or electrical vehicles for transporting your belongings, or alternatively; explore ways of sharing transportation with others.
If you are planning to move interstate, a good option available is through backloading. This is a popular way of relocating whereby movers share the same moving truck with other people.
This often works in both the customers and the moving company’s favour, as it is often considered cheaper than traditional moving services and also reduces fuel usage, thus reducing carbon footprints.
This is because moving companies rent out the same truck to more than one customer on the same journey.
If you want to learn more about what backloading is and how it works check out this article by ZOOM Removals.
Minimise Your Food Wastage
More often than not, most fridges will still contain food when moving day comes around.
If this is the case for you; try to make a conscious effort to minimise food wastage.
For example, why not consider donating excess food items to food banks or other local community organisations? Most countries will have an abundance of these. Not only does this help minimise wastage, but it also reduces the amount of food that ends up in landfills.
Other things you can do is to plan your meals ahead before moving day – this is a great way to fully deplete your fridge and pantry lowering the amount of food that needs to be disposed of prior to a move.
Consider Using Energy Efficient Packaging And Appliances Moving Forward
Although this is a consideration for the future, when arriving at your new location start to prioritise your energy consumption and efficiency.
By doing some simple research, you’ll find there are plenty of ways to cut down your electricity consumption and your impact on the environment as a whole.
- Switch to LED bulbs. LED bulbs use up to 80% less energy than traditional bulbs and last up to 25 times longer!
- Set your thermostat to a comfortable temperature and stick to it. Try to avoid turning it up or down significantly throughout the day.
- Consider switching to appliances that use high ENERGY STAR ratings which meet energy efficiency standards. You can find more information about this by clicking here.
By making these types of changes, you’ll quickly be able to reduce the amount of power and electricity that you consume in your new household.
Don’t Hire Just Anyone
If you are planning on using professional help, then consider hiring a moving company that uses eco-friendly vehicles and practices.
While this isn’t currently the norm, there are some moving companies out there that have started using hybrid or electrical trucks and may even offer other eco-friendly services such as using recycled packing materials.
Key Takeaway
Thinking in a sustainable way when moving home or office is the first step in helping you reduce your environmental impact and contribute to a greener future for the next generation.
By considering some of the tips laid out above, you can do your part to live a more eco-friendly life.
