How to Move Sustainably
Moving sustainably is crucial for minimizing environmental impact and even minimising your costs. This article provides practical tips for planning an eco-friendly move.
Plan Ahead
Proper planning can significantly reduce waste. Start by creating a detailed moving checklist and inventory of your belongings. This helps you avoid unnecessary purchases and multiple trips, making the move smoother and more organized.
Use Sustainable Moving Supplies
Instead of traditional cardboard boxes, we provide sturdy, reusable plastic containers. These containers not only protect your items better but also reduce the need for disposable materials. Additionally, we offer recycled packing materials, such as biodegradable packing peanuts and recycled bubble wrap.
Use a Moving Truck
Opting for a large moving truck during your relocation isn’t just a smart choice; it’s an eco-friendly game changer. Imagine packing all your belongings into one big, powerful vehicle, making just one efficient trip instead of several back-and-forths with smaller, less capable ones. Not only does this save you time and hassle, but it also cuts down on costs by requiring less fuel and fewer trips. Plus, a single large truck cuts down on traffic congestion, giving everyone a smoother ride and less honking to deal with. So, when you choose a big truck, you’re not just making your move easier—you’re also taking a giant step towards a greener planet.
Upcycle Packing Materials
Utilize items you already own to pack your belongings. Sheets, towels, and clothing can serve as excellent cushioning for fragile items. This reduces the need for additional packing materials and reuses what you have, making your move more eco-friendly.
Declutter !
The most common moving mistake we see is not decluttering your home. Sell, donate, or recycle items you no longer need. This not only reduces the number of items you have to move, but also ensures that your unwanted items find a new home, reducing landfill waste. Check out our Decluttering blog page for a more comprehensive decluttering guide.
Efficient Packing Techniques
By disassembling large furniture and packing smaller items inside larger ones, you can make sure that every inch of space is utilized, reducing the number of trips needed and saving fuel.
Turn off the AC
Moving in the Minnesota heat can be unfomfortable. Unfortunantly, your door will spend a lot of time open while everything gets moved out. According to scientists from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Air Conditioning accounts for 4% of the world's overall greenhouse gas emissions. Keep your energy costs down and mother earth happy by turning off your AC for the day.
Update Utilities and Address in Advance
Ensure you transfer or update your utilities and change your address well in advance. This avoids service interruptions and reduces the need for extra trips to manage these details during the move.
Pick the Right Movers
Not only does Eco-Friendly moving benefit the environment, but it also makes the moving process more efficient and cost-effective for you. At Gentleman Moving, we minimise plastic wrap and non-reusable packaging, utilise routing software for greener transportation logisitics, and use fuel efficient non-diesel trucks. Our donation, furniture re-sale, and recycling services make it easy to keep it green!
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Ready to make your move in the Minneapolis area? Moving sustainably is our specialty. Contact us today to get started on your climate friendly move. Let's work together to protect our planet one move at a time!