How to be More Sustainable When Moving House

Moving home can traditionally have quite an impact on your carbon footprint. Think multiple journeys in a van or car, bubble wrap and other environmentally damaging packaging. In fact, it is estimated that an average UK house move creates over 16kg of carbon emissions – the equivalent of charging almost 2,000 smartphones. We’ve got some eco-friendly moving tips that will lessen the impact on the environment, but won’t make the whole experience any more stressful than it already is.

1. Only move the things you need

Before you start packing up your home, a thorough sort out of your belongings will minimise the amount of things you will physically need to pack and move from your current home to your new home. The less belongings you need to move, the less fuel you’ll need and therefore the lower your moving carbon footprint. 

2. Recycle things you no longer need

Once you’ve sorted through your belongings, try to recycle as many of the items you no longer want. Whether that’s simply folders worth of old paper that can be recycled at the kerbside, clothes that can be sent to the charity shop or furniture which can be reused via a local scheme.

3. Eat your perishables 

In the countdown to your house move, try and use as much of the food you have in your cupboards and fridge freezer. A website like Supercook will help you to plan a meal based on the ingredients you have available to you. Anything you don’t eat and don’t want to take with you can be donated to a friend or neighbour. This is another way of minimising how much you’ll need to pack up and transport to your new home whilst reducing food waste. 

4. Minimise journeys back and forth 

If you’re thinking of moving your belongings in your car or a small van, consider the amount of journeys that will be required. You’d be far more environmentally friendly by choosing a removal company with vehicles that can transport all of your belongings in one journey. On the day of moving, ensure you do a thorough check of the house and make sure you’ve left nothing behind so that you don’t need to go back unnecessarily. 

5. Choose a removals company with policies that benefit the environment

When researching removal companies, be sure to check if they have an environmental policy and find out what initiatives they have in place to be eco friendly. Some things to look out for are:

6. Minimise removal packaging

Many of the things you already own can be used to package up your belongings, minimising your need for boxes, bubble wrap or other single use plastics. You can pack clothes in your suitcases, books in empty drawers (once removed from the frame) and wrap fragile items in towels or blankets. If you do need to purchase boxes, try and donate them when you’ve finished so that someone else can benefit from them, instead of throwing them away. 

7. A green deep clean

Once you’ve packed all of your belongings, it’s likely that you’ll want to do a deep clean before you leave the property to its next inhabitant. Try to avoid harsh cleaners with chemicals that can damage the environment. Instead opt for eco-friendly products or even try making some yourself – bicarbonate of soda for example has many uses including deodorising and removing dirt from surfaces!

One of the best ways is to not use more than you need in terms of packing supplies. Bishop’s Move’s free home moving survey will assess your requirements down to the letter, ensuring we never overcharge you or utilise supplies we don’t need. Get in touch with us today to start your move.