Moving Out Sustainably

How Does Moving Impact the Environment?

Moving can have several negative effects on the environment if we’re not careful. Here are a few examples:

• Carbon Footprint: Moving involves transporting your belongings, using packing materials, and consuming energy, all of which contribute to a significant carbon footprint.
• Waste: Moving often leads to excessive waste. When decluttering, we tend to throw away perfectly usable items such as food, clothing, furniture, and electronics. Additionally, packing materials like cardboard, bubble wrap, and tissue paper are used to protect our things but are often discarded after the move.
• Deforestation: The high demand for cardboard boxes during moving contributes to deforestation, which in turn causes habitat loss and reduces biodiversity.
• Water Usage: Cleaning a property before leaving can use a lot of water, especially if you’re required to return it in near-perfect condition.
• Chemical Pollution: The harsh chemicals we often use for cleaning can end up polluting the environment, particularly if they’re not disposed of properly.

What Are the Solutions?

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can reduce your environmental impact during your move. Here are some sustainable practices to consider:

• Sustainable Transport: Choose eco-friendly transport options, like renting an electric moving vehicle instead of one that runs on petrol or diesel. If you and your flatmates are moving into the same place, share transport to reduce the carbon footprint.
• Donate, Sell, or Recycle: When decluttering, try to donate items to charity, give food to food banks, or sell high-quality goods on platforms like Vinted, Facebook Marketplace, or eBay, instead of throwing them away.
• Reusing Packing Materials: Rather than buying piles of cardboard boxes, pack your belongings in suitcases, backpacks, or reusable tote bags. For fragile items, wrap them in clothes instead of using bubble wrap.
• Plan Ahead: Avoid last-minute packing, which often leads to hasty waste disposal. By giving yourself time to plan and organise, you’ll be able to dispose of items more responsibly, benefiting both your move and the environment.
• Proper Waste Disposal: Make sure you’re disposing of your waste correctly. Double-check with reception or staff about what goes in each bin and avoid putting everything in the general waste bin.
• Conserve Water: To reduce water waste, collect and reuse water for cleaning. For example, catch the cold water while waiting for the tap to heat up and use it for cleaning purposes. When boiling water, only fill the kettle with what you need.
• Eco-Friendly Cleaning: Switch to environmentally friendly cleaning products and make sure you dispose of any chemicals properly. Don’t hesitate to ask staff for guidance on how to dispose of them safely.

By planning ahead and making more sustainable choices, you can minimise your environmental impact and contribute to a greener future. Plus, some of these tips might even help you make a bit of extra cash along the way!