From packing materials to choosing a removal company, there are many aspects of a house move that can negatively impact the planet. However, with a few conscious choices and eco-friendly practices, you can make your house move environmentally sustainable. In this blog, we’ll explore some practical tips to help you reduce your carbon footprint while transitioning to your new abode:
1. Declutter Responsibly
If you want to get rid of a few things before you move, sort through your belongings and donate, sell, or recycle items you no longer need. Avoid just throwing things away if they can have a second life with someone else. Not only will this benefit others and reduce the need for new items to be manufactured, it will also lighten your load.
2. Choose Eco-Friendly Packing Materials
Speak to your moving company about sourcing environmentally friendly packing materials. For example, Burke Bros Moving Group use professional grade packing boxes from a packaging company who are certified Carbon Neutral. As the boxes are of a professional grade, they also offer the option of purchasing second hand boxes.
You can consider using alternative ways of protecting some of your items eg by wrapping in old newspaper or using cloth. Just bear in mind that the ink can transfer from newspapers so be careful if you’re wrapping items directly with newspaper.
3. Choose an Environmentally Responsible Removals Company
When it comes to choosing a removals company to carry the move out for you, look for a company who takes it’s environmental impact seriously and works in a responsible way to reduce this impact.
International removals company, Burke Bros Moving Group is officially PAS2060 certified as Carbon Neutral and aligning their business to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
They’ve undertaken a comprehensive assessment of all their carbon emissions, covering all aspects of their operations, including Scope 1, Scope 2, and all 15 categories within Scope 3 and developed a strategy to take full accountability for their emissions and work towards achieving Net Zero status by 2040.
To offset the emissions associated with their business activities, they’ve also proactively purchased verified United Nations Carbon Credits, ensuring that our emissions are not only neutralized but also contribute to positive humanitarian impacts for disadvantaged communities worldwide.
4. Eco-Friendly Cleaning
Before leaving your old home and upon arriving at your new one, use eco-friendly cleaning products. Traditional cleaning products often contain harmful chemicals that can harm the environment. By opting for natural, biodegradable alternatives, you can maintain a clean space while minimizing your ecological footprint.
5. Unpack Mindfully
When unpacking, aim to reuse as much of your packing materials as possible. Keep boxes, packing paper, and other materials in good condition for future use or donate them to others in need. Recycling and repurposing can help extend the life of these materials and reduce waste.
Moving to a new house doesn’t have to be environmentally harmful. By following these tips and being mindful of your choices, you can significantly reduce the environmental impact of your move. Remember that every small effort counts, and collectively, we can make a positive impact on our planet. So, as you embark on your house-moving journey, make sustainability a priority and help create a greener, cleaner future for us all.
