Moving to a new house can be stressful, so it\u2019s no surprise we can often opt for efficiency over sustainability. These simple tips will help show you how you can make your next move more eco-friendly without slowing things down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moving house<\/a> can require a lot of driving, especially depending on where you’re relocating to. As tempting as it may be to do multiple trips in your car if you’re moving nearby, it’s not exactly environmentally friendly – so consider renting a truck instead. Not only will this cut down the number of trips you’ll need to take, you’ll be minimising your emissions and reducing your carbon footprint too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Who wants to haul a bunch of unwanted items only to have to sort through them after moving house<\/a>? No thanks! Start off fresh<\/a> in your new place by going through your items as you pack and reducing waste. Save some cash to put towards your moving expenses by listing the items you no longer want online or consider having a garage sale before your moving day. It\u2019s no secret one of the other not-so-fun jobs that comes with moving house<\/a> is cleaning. In the lead-up to your move, grab unwanted linen (or tattered clothing) that\u2019s not suitable for donation and tear the item up into rags. This will avoid the need for buying cloths or paper towel, and save you some extra coin<\/a> in the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Food can be a hassle while moving, especially when you\u2019ve got a lot of it. Ahead of your move, plan out ways to use up what\u2019s in your fridge and pantry. Sites like Super Cook are great for combating food waste, simply pop in the ingredients your working with and it\u2019ll share recipes<\/a> that match what you already have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Got a little time up your sleeve? Spend an afternoon prepping meals you can freeze<\/a>. Not only will they transport well, you\u2019ll just need a cooler, you\u2019ll also be less likely to order take-out<\/a> while you\u2019re settling in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip:<\/em> If you\u2019ve done a pantry clean out and discovered you\u2019ve got too many canned goods, find out where your closest Foodbank or shelter is and donate the item to them rather than throwing them away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Boxes are one of the most important items when moving but buying them each time isn\u2019t eco-friendly or cost effective. Go for a stroll in your suburb and ask a local company if they\u2019ve got any used boxes you can take off their hands. Chances are they\u2019re only going to break them down as waste anyway and you might even discover a new local gem in the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the thought of going into a store and asking for cardboard boxes makes you shudder, don\u2019t stress, you can also hire boxes and packing materials. A quick search and you\u2019ll find a number of companies across Australia who\u2019ll drop off and collect the moving boxes for you \u2013 too easy! Don\u2019t have enough boxes? No problem! When you\u2019re packing see everything as a potential vessel. Use suitcases to pack your clothes, luggage as moving boxes, pots to store kitchen utensils, buckets for laundry and bathroom items, the options are endless. You\u2019ll need to get a little creative<\/a>, but you\u2019ll be surprised at the hacks you can come up with.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDeclutter your current space<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve got enough on your plate with moving, or you\u2019d prefer to be charitable, donate your unwanted items to local thrift stores or shelters for those in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCreate rags from unwanted fabrics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Plan your meals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ask local businesses for old boxes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tip: <\/em>After you\u2019ve moved, squirrel your moving boxes away in the garage for the next time you or a family member\/friend moves.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGet inventive when packing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n