A green move won’t solve the climate crisis alone, but it can help reduce waste and promote a circular economy. To start, try using reusable boxes and storage containers. Opt for biodegradable packing peanuts or tape made from a renewable source.

Also, consider selling, donating, or hosting a white elephant party for usable items you won’t take. Lastly, try to ship your belongings by train instead of driving them long distances.

Use Reusable Containers

It’s essential to focus on changing daily habits that impact the environment. Still, it’s just as vital to consider sustainability when undertaking big projects and changes. Moving is a great time to do just that.

Plan well ahead, whether hiring a moving company or handling the move yourself. This will reduce waste from unnecessary trips back and forth and help you stay organized.

Choose reusable boxes, and look for those made from recycled materials. Avoid styrofoam packing peanuts and plastic wrap, using cloth blankets or sheets to protect fragile items. Also, use reusable beverage containers rather than disposable ones.

Recycle Unwanted Items

When packing for a move, it is essential to discard items that you no longer use or need. This will not only lighten the load and make unpacking more accessible, but it will also help reduce waste. Many unwanted items, such as paper products, glass containers, and plastic bags, can be recycled. 

However, some items like oil, paint and paint thinners, flammable materials, batteries, and chemicals should be disposed of correctly instead of in the trash.

For reusable items that cannot be recycled, consider donating or selling them to charities or local thrift stores. This will not only decrease waste, but it will also benefit the community and provide people in need with much-needed resources.

Hire an Eco-Friendly Moving Company

Even though moving can be much work, it doesn’t have to mean a trip to the dump. Many materials, from cardboard boxes to packaging tape, are in the trash. And with the frenzied nature of moving, many people must remember to recycle or reuse items.

Eco-friendly movers employ innovative strategies to minimize waste generation. For example, they use reusable plastic boxes to reduce cardboard box usage and offer them back after your move. Additionally, they utilize trucks that run on biodiesel fuel instead of diesel. Biodiesel is made from natural ingredients like vegetable oil and animal fats, so it is a safer alternative to fossil fuels.

Minimize Paper Usage

Non-biodegradable materials can contaminate soil and waterways, harming ecosystems and causing climate change. Following local guidelines for discarded items and choosing sustainable packing materials can prevent unused items from winding up in landfills.

Instead of purchasing cardboard boxes, consider reusing old suitcases, duffle bags, or plastic bins to hold your belongings. You can also save money and decrease waste by using reusable packing materials like blankets, t-shirts, or socks to protect delicate items.

Moving sustainably requires more planning than a typical move, but it can be done. By starting early and preparing beforehand, you can save on transportation emissions, hire an eco-friendly moving company, and eliminate unnecessary waste.

Prioritize Energy Efficiency

The idea of sustainability has been around for decades. The concept ensures that human consumption does not deplete Earth’s natural resources for future generations. It also involves protecting biodiversity and addressing climate change.

Moving can have a significant effect on the environment. Vehicle emissions, waste production and even how we use energy can impact the planet.

To reduce these impacts, try to declutter before the move. This will mean that you will need fewer boxes and a smaller van, meaning less fuel. You can also help by choosing a removal company with energy-efficient vehicles and planning your route carefully.

Offset the Environmental Impact of Your Packing Materials

Avoid styrofoam packing peanuts and plastic wrap, and opt for biodegradable alternatives when packing. You can also use reusable boxes and bins or find some made out of recycled materials. This will reduce waste and make your move more sustainable and green.

As you go through your belongings during a move, finding items you no longer need or use is often straightforward. Before moving, consider donating or selling these items to prevent them from ending in landfills.

If you hire a moving company, choose one that prioritizes sustainability. These companies may consolidate trips, recycle moving containers, and fuel their trucks with alternative fuels.

Support Local Stores and Sustainable Businesses

Moving is a hectic time, and the environmental impacts of your move may not be top of mind. But avoiding paper waste, decluttering before the big day, using eco-friendly cleaning products and switching to LED lights are just some of the easy ways to make your move greener.

Local stores are also sustainable shopping alternatives as they have a shorter manufacturer-to-consumer journey and can offer better transparency with their ingredients, materials and sources. They also help support vibrant, walkable town centers that reduce sprawl, automobile use and habitat loss.

For example, the South Suburbs’ first low-waste general store and refillery offers reusable containers for bulk food, personal care, cleaning and garden items. It also carries eco-friendly home goods and gifts from makers who pay fair wages.

Involve Everyone in Your Sustainability Journey

To successfully implement a sustainability program, you must involve the entire company. This means getting everyone on board, including the executive team.

When executives engage in sustainability, it helps bridge the gap between employees’ values and the company’s business practices. It also helps make the issue more relevant to employees and creates a sense of urgency.

It’s important to set measurable goals and start small to get the whole company involved in sustainability.

Monitor Your Environmental Impact

Reducing your environmental impact does not have to be an all-or-nothing endeavor when you move. You can do simple things that contribute significantly to your sustainability efforts, such as decluttering to reduce your moving load.

If you’re hiring movers, look for companies that consolidate trips, use eco-friendly packaging materials, and offer electric vehicles. Some even fuel their trucks with biodiesel, which is more environmentally friendly than diesel. You can donate unused items to local charities instead of throwing them away. This will help reduce waste and greenhouse gasses that contribute to climate change. Ultimately, sustainable practices are a win-win for everyone.