How can you actually move as sustainably as possible? If you're about to move to a new home and are asking yourself this question, you've come to the right place!
Moving house is often a source of great anticipation, but on the other hand it can also be very stressful. On the one hand, because it is exhausting and, on the other, because it can also be quite environmentally damaging due to transportation, items ending up in the bin and the subsequent renovation.
In this article, I'll give you some valuable tips on how to make your move as environmentally friendly as possible. Let's go!
10 tips for sustainable moving
As always, nobody has to be perfect live sustainably and not move accordingly! It's already greatthat you inform yourself at all about how to minimize your impact on the environment when you move to another region or simply to another apartment in the same place.
Fortunately, there are lots of simple options for it. Here I present them to you in more detail.
1. use the move to clear out superfluous things
A move is the ideal opportunity to limit your possessions to really important things. Because you have to do not transport an infinite number of things.
In addition, a minimalist lifestyle and the overview simply happy. Logical! After all, everyone knows the crammed cellar or those drawers full of useless junk that you bought or received as a gift.
So sell or give away everything you no longer need. But someone can still use these things. And if it ends up being the recycling center that recycles the resources used for this.
Book Tip: For more ideas and tips and more minimalism in your life, I can warmly recommend the book "The minimalism project" by Christof Hermann. If you like, get it here*.
2. use moving boxes and textiles instead of plastic bags and pack logically
Moving boxes can often still be found in the blue community garbage canbecause others have thrown them away. They can be reused forever - and you can even get a few coins for them.
For an environmentally friendly move, you can also buy them for little money. via classified ads get. We have also simply such transparent storage boxes* which still serve as storage containers in the attic today.
It is also advisable to unnecessary waste of material and, among other things, to use the paper tape sparingly. The classic moving boxes in particular are built in such a way that they Can also be closed without adhesive tape are.
Tip: Of course, you should grab particularly heavy moving boxes from underneath so that they don't collapse under the weight and nothing valuable gets broken!
3. rent an electronic moving van
If there is no way around a moving truck, then it should at least be climate friendly be. Many providers already use electric vehicles. And if it offers you enough space, you can also use an electric van for your move. Carsharing use
If your new home is not too far away, you may also be able to make an environmentally friendly move by Cargo bike on. You might ride a few more times, but you'll be on the road even more sustainably.
Tip: At sustainable driving you will also find a separate article with lots of easy-to-implement tips for the most environmentally friendly car journeys possible.
4. give away, donate or sell things that are no longer needed
Anything that no longer fits in your vehicle or no longer adds value is discarded.
You can then find many things on portals such as Classifieds (see Zero Waste Apps), in local Facebook groups or on the Flea market and fill up your moving fund.
But perhaps also your "new tenants" still have a lot of use. For example, bulky cupboards, curtain rails or a television. And maybe even a Blackboard in your area that still have some of your clothes that have been sorted out but are intact. Just give them a call.
Tip: You can find out more about an environmentally friendly approach to fashion in the articles on the Slow Fashion Movement and if possible long-lasting fashion.
5. use cloth towels as breakage protection
Sometimes the tips for sustainable moving are so incredibly simple, I know. But Experience has shown that things tend to fall down from time to time or is broken by an impact on the banister.
To prevent this from happening, you should All-purpose weapon of the plastic-free life use: Reusable cloths! Wrap glasses, cups and plates in them or use them to protect the edges of valuable pieces of furniture or pictures.
6. avoid unnecessary trips
In the case of relocations, CO2 emissions in particular play an important role in sustainability. Both the Journeys from friends and familywho arrive to help, as well as the Transport trips itselfYou should therefore avoid them as much as possible.
If possible, try to complete the entire move with a Good planning and consultation "in one go" over the stage!
Further information about the underlying Environmental issues can also be found in the articles about global warming and Air Pollution.
7. buy used instead of new
Anyone who wants to move sustainably should, after sorting out superfluous things but not immediately buy hundreds of things new. Just as you have sold used goods, you can of course also Buy used.
So you can save money through sustainability! Take another look at the Flea market or with Classifieds for cool, old furniture that perhaps just needs a final polish or make your new dining table from old oak planks yourself right now.
Tip: When you buy new things, make sure that they are as durable as possible and have eco-friendly labels. A good place to start is always these sustainable online stores.
8. if necessary: plan a trip to the recycling center
Especially in the cellar, things often accumulate that cannot simply be disposed of in the household waste. For example, an old Toaster, countless empty Batteries or one that has long since ceased to function Printer.
Take care of this in general, but especially in the case of a long-term move, that you have created Separate waste correctly. A trip to the nearest recycling center is usually unavoidable. Ideally, you can do this straight away with the electric removal van.
9. sustainable renovation in the new home
When painting the walls of your new home, make a conscious decision to use natural paint that is not harmful to health. Also pay attention to terms such as "solvent-free" or "organic" and "eco" on the packaging of paints and glazes.
For ecological and health reasons, you should make sure that new wallpapers are PVC-free and if possible also from recycled waste paper are. This protects natural resources.
You can also take the opportunity to optimize your household in the future. switch to green electricity*. It only takes a few minutes and in many cases even saves you money!
And if you have bought your own home, then it is particularly worth investing in a Ecological thermal insulation.
Notice: Paints and varnishes must also be disposed of properly. Simply follow the instructions on the packaging. You can often return the empty buckets or cans to the hardware store. However, every city also has appropriate collection points for hazardous substances.
10. use the move for sustainable change
A move is the chance to get rid of unnecessary items to muck out and your new home a fresh coat to miss out. However, these two things can also be applied very well to your own life.
In new surroundings, for example, it is much easier to with the Stop smoking! For their own health, but also in the fight against the countless Cigarette butts in the environment.
Here are a few more Further examples for Changesthat will ultimately make your move even more sustainable:
- Garden sustainable design (e.g. bird friendly or bee friendly)
- Vegan lifestyle (or with the intermediate step as Vegetarian)
- Zero Waste Lifestyle follow (e.g. by consciously organizing your new home to avoid waste)
Tip: You ask yourself, why vegan makes the world a better place? Then take a look at the linked article. You'll learn some incredibly good reasons for this 🙂
Sustainable moving made easy!
As you can see, it's not all that complicated! On the contrary: you can even make your eco-friendly move to optimize your lifestyle and to think outside the box.
I hope this article helps you with your next move. I am also happy to recommend it to those who are also about to move.
"They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom."
Confucius, Chinese philosopher (probably from 551 BC to 479 BC)
Do you have any questions or further tips on sustainable moving? Then just write me a comment as always.
Stay sustainable,
PS: In my Environmental protection blog you'll find countless other tips for an environmentally friendly everyday life. For example, you can also find out how to store sustainably online can!
Thank you for the post on sustainable moving. My sister is planning her private move and wants to produce as little unnecessary waste as possible. Good to know that there are some ways to make the move sustainable.
Great that you have noted here so many tips with which one can make the own move as green as possible. My boyfriend and I want to move together soon and have now thought about how best to do this. You are right that you should use the move to clean out and also use cloth towels as breakage protection. I also agree that unnecessary trips should be avoided so that everything can be done in one go if possible. I can well imagine that a moving company can really be very helpful for this!
Thank you for the information on moving. I am planning to move next month. I will take this information into consideration when I start planning my move.
Thank you for the valuable tips on sustainable ways to move! I have always taken to heart the advice to use moving boxes instead of plastic bags during my moves, as also recommended in the article. I find moving boxes very easy to carry given their shape and, of course, I attach great importance to ensuring that their disposal does not cause damage to the environment.