Moving to a new home can be very stressful. Talk about the big changes you have to make; location, home layout, maybe even job. And of course, the cost this entails and the time it would take to do all the moving.
With all the stress associated when moving, being eco-friendly is the last thing that you have in mind. But with planning and resourcefulness, there is a better approach to making your move as eco-friendly as possible.
Read the tips below to find better and easy ways to do it.
Getting rid of items you no longer want or need will save you time, effort, and money. With fewer items you need to bring when you move, you won’t need to spend much time packing things up. This also means you won’t need to use as many boxes, which helps save space on the moving truck. With fewer boxes to move, you can hire fewer movers, which means you pay less.
The items you no longer want or need for your new home could be useful for other people. Consider selling or donating those items.
Host a garage sale a few weeks before you move and sell items you no longer use. You not only prevent those items from going to a landfill, but you also earn extra cash that you can use for the move.
Donate unwanted items to charitable organizations such as Red Cross, Salvation Army, Mummy’s in Need, Woven Earth, and more. From old books and children’s toys to working appliances, electronics, and clothes, your hand-me-downs can be recycled and reused by others who are in need.
Eliminate the need to buy moving materials by using what you have available in your home. Re-use old cardboard boxes that you have. Be creative and make use of suitcases, baskets, buckets, laundry hampers, and even trash cans to hold things you need to move. For wrapping and cushioning, you can use blankets, towels, bedsheets, and even clothes, to protect those breakable items that you have.
You may also want to consider asking neighbours or friends if they have cardboard boxes they don’t need. Or visit local stores and ask if they have some boxes they want to get rid of.
Inevitably, you will find hazardous materials as you clean your cupboards. If not disposed of properly, these hazardous materials can be harmful to people, animals, and the environment. It is important to remember that hazardous materials are not allowed in moving trucks, so you should be able to get rid of them before you move. Some hazardous materials come with instructions for safe disposal, so make sure to read the label. You can also contact your local waste management company which can take care of the disposal of those hazardous materials. If you can, give away your hazardous materials to neighbours or friends who need them.
Avoid disposing of your moving materials once done with the moving. Consider donating those boxes to organizations in need of them. You may also want to use the sturdier boxes to store some of your items at home. Damaged and dirty cardboard boxes can be taken to the local recycling bin.
When planning for an eco-friendly move, it is best to consider a moving company that cares about the environment. Check out what are the moving company’s measures to protect the environment. The constant demand for an eco-friendly moving service will encourage more moving companies to re-evaluate their current practices and adapt to being more eco-friendly.
Looking for a moving company that best fits your needs is easier here at Wise Move. With just one enquiry, you’ll be able to reach a network of moving companies in NZ. Once you find the best mover of your choice, be sure to contact them with your questions about the eco-friendly move.
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