Moving home has a significant impact on the environment due to the high carbon footprint of transport. In Europe, it is estimated that moving is responsible for 1/4 of CO2 emissions.
We’re sharing our tips for an eco-friendly move!
Sorting, quite simply!
It may seem obvious, but before you move, it’s important to sort all your belongings into three categories: throw away, donate, keep. This reduces the volume to be transported during the move, and therefore the environmental impact. Bulky goods should be taken to your local authority’s collection service or to a private company. Other items can be recycled or donated to give them a second life.
Think upcycling
Upcycling is the practice of transforming objects or materials that would otherwise be discarded into new objects of superior quality or value. It’s a way of recycling objects by giving them a second life rather than throwing them away.
Many people buy boxes for their move, but there are other solutions. You can use objects and containers that are already available, such as sheets, towels or tea towels.
Big-box stores can provide boxes free of charge for re-use, and some movers can also lend them out. Eco-responsible cardboard, such as recycled cardboard, is another option. Finally, it’s important to give cardboard and other objects a second life, rather than throwing them away.
Clean your home with natural products
For a green, environmentally-friendly household, use natural disinfectants and antibacterial agents such as white vinegar, baking soda and lemon. Marseille soap and black soap are also effective cleansing products. Before throwing away furniture, think about upcycling to give it a second life using sandpaper, a sander, paint, coloured varnish, etc.
Choose the right means of transport!
There are several environmentally-friendly solutions available to reduce the carbon footprint of your move. Co-transportation allows you to optimize loading space and pool fuel, toll and labor costs. Responsible transporters use hybrid, hydropowered or biofuel vehicles. For small removals, cycling is an environmentally-friendly solution.
With this in mind, CircularPlace has developed a marketplace for the resale of your unsold non-food products between professionals, and puts you in touch with non-profit organizations to recover your products.
You can also opt for a white label solution that will allow your company to circularize your equipment internally and to engage your employees around ecological themes.
