Creative Tips for an Eco-Friendly International Relocation

Moving is not something that you would normally consider environmentally friendly. It is easy to lose track and waste a lot of materials and drive back and forth many times.

Since the  average American moves 11.4 times in their lifetime,   it is important that you evaluate the environmental impact of your international relocation. Then, you can follow our creative tips to cut down your carbon footprint.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s dive right in.

1. Declutter Before the Move

One of the best creative tips for an eco-friendly relocation is decluttering before you move. When you declutter, you get to sort through everything. This helps ensure that you move less stuff. As you declutter, you will be able to plan out the move and ensure that only the right items are moved.

Besides, an international move comes with its fair share of stress. Hence, it makes sense to simplify the move by decluttering the space.

2. Wrap Fragile Décor in Soft Fabrics

Instead of using newspapers for packing fragile décor, you can utilize soft fabrics. They do a much better job at keeping your fragile belongings safe. It is a zero-waste method that allows you to pack all types of items. You can use soft fabric items like linens, blankets, and towels to get the job done.

To put this tip into practice, you just need to make piles of all the fragile items that require extra support, such as glassware, plates, and art. Then, you just have to lay out the soft materials to wrap the fragile items. However, if you do have newspapers, you can also use them to pack fragile décor.

3. Rent Reusable Moving Boxes

A great tip that will allow you to reduce your environmental impact when relocating is renting reusable moving boxes. There is no denying that boxes are necessary for every type of move. However, they create a lot of waste and are the least sustainable.

Besides, finding boxes for packing your belongings can be a time-consuming and tedious task. This is why it is a good idea to consider box rental options. They offer a sustainable alternative. There are even box rental companies that provide pick-up and drop-off services to ensure that the boxes do not go to waste.

4. Use Biodegradable Packing Material

The next creative tip that will ensure an eco-friendly move is using the biodegradable packing material. If you have already used all your clothing, bedding, and towels for packing, you need to opt for a biodegradable alternative. It is about time that you ditched bubble wraps.

Today, you can get a green wrap. It works just like a bubble wrap and is recyclable, compostable, and biodegradable. Thus, you will be able to use eco-friendly packing supplies.

5. Host a Garage Sale

Since there are likely to be items that you will not need when moving, you need to consider hosting a garage sale. It offers a creative alternative to getting rid of things that you no longer require. This is why you should always start packing early so that you can find items that you can sell.

Moreover, the proceeds of the garage sale will help reduce moving costs. By selling things you do not need, you get to clear the space before the move. It ensures a more seamless move. The weekend is the perfect time to host the garage sale. Post about it on the community’s social media page to get more people interested.

6. Donate Things You Do Not Need

If you do not want to host a garage sale or are unable to sell everything at the garage sale, you should consider donating the items that you do not need. A move provides a great opportunity to give back to the community and get rid of the things that you do not need. It always feels good to give things away for a better cause.

When organizing the move, you should separate things that you want to donate and send them to a charity or non-government organization (NGO). You can also donate the unwanted items to local organizations such as animal shelters, libraries, and schools.

7. Recycle the Rest

Moving leads to a lot of trash accumulating. As you clean and go through the boxes, you will come across many things that cannot be sold or donated. Thus, you would need to be mindful of recycling.

The fact is that you cannot just let pounds of trash make their way into the landfill. Since you can recycle just about everything, from old electronics to torn clothes, you should head to your local recycling center and give everything to them.

8. Avoid Unnecessary Tips

In addition to the above, you need to avoid unnecessary trips back and forth. Besides, an international move costs a lot of money. Therefore, you need to cut down your trips by planning everything beforehand. It will help cut down your fuel and other emissions.

Minimize your tips by planning each minute detail. For instance, if you are donating and recycling items on different days, you should consider doing both things on the same day. Even a little bit of planning goes a long way.

9. Use a Spreadsheet for Your Inventory

Gone are the days when you had to write everything down on paper. Today, you can simply use a spreadsheet to record your inventory. There are even digital moving apps that help you with every part of the move. They allow you to be extra organized so that you do not end up losing your favorite belongings.

Moreover, it would be less likely for you to miss out on anything when you use an app instead of a notebook or journal, which can either get lost or destroyed.

Takeaway

An eco-friendly international move is possible when you follow the creative tips mentioned above. Each of the tips allows you to play your role in helping save the environment. Always remember that thinking creatively requires you to think outside the box.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does eco friendly tips mean?

This is a complex concept, which is based on concern for the environment. Eco tips are very diverse, which combines a common direction dedicated entirely to nature and organics. The main principle is to do no harm.