Reducing waste when moving: Eco-friendly removal tips

Are you moving house soon but worried about how much waste you’ll produce? If so, you’re not alone. This is a common concern, and more and more of us are looking for ways to reduce waste when moving. Read on to discover our top eco-friendly removal tips. on reducing waste when moving home.

The growing issue of waste production when moving

Moving from A to B can create a surprising amount of waste. With all the decluttering, packing and cleaning involved, a lot of rubbish can be generated throughout the process. However, there are steps you can take to start reducing waste when moving. At Darvills, we offer eco-friendly removals in  Halifax and Bradford, offering expert advice on how to reduce the waste you produce when relocating.

Declutter 

Perhaps the biggest mistake many people make when moving house is failing to declutter before they move. Not only does decluttering save you time, money, and valuable space in your new home but it also helps you reduce waste. Start decluttering your home well before moving day, going through all your belongings before you begin packing. 

Recycle, donate, or sell items you no longer want. If you wait until moving day, you’ll simply end up throwing everything you don’t need in the trash, creating a huge amount of waste. You’ll find that much of it can be reused in some way, so it’s really worth taking the time to consider what can be recycled, donated, or sold on.

Have a car boot sale

Once you’ve identified those items you no longer want but are too good to be thrown away, it’s time to think about how to pass them on to be used. One option is to host a yard sale. Set up a table outside your house and showcase your unwanted belongings to see if anyone wants to buy them. Not does this help to reduce waste but it may also help you to raise much-needed funds before your big move. You may also like to consider donating items to charity. 

Consider secure storage solutions

If you’re running out of time before moving day and you don’t have the time to sort through your worldly possessions to decide what you do and don’t need, why not hire a secure storage unit? Many removals companies in Bradford & Halifax offer storage solutions for items like furniture, homeware, ornaments, clothing, and toys. At Darvills, we offer self-storage units that can be accessed whenever you like. You can store your belongings safely until you decide exactly what you want to do with them.   

Avoid buying new packing materials

Since packing materials can generate a huge amount of waste, it’s important to think carefully about whether you need to buy new. You may be able to find second-hand boxes that have been thrown away by businesses and can be used again. This is by the far the most eco-friendly option. If you can’t find enough second-hand boxes in time for your move, you could always ask your removals company if they can supply packing materials. 

Many will be happy to do this. At Darvills, we offer everything from boxes, wardrobe cartons and bubble wrap to mattress bags, packing tape, and suite covers. We can supply all the packing materials for your house move, ensuring that you don’t purchase more than you need. 

Recycle packing supplies 

Once you’re unpacked and settled into your home, don’t simply throw your packing supplies away. Since they can usually be reused several times, it’s a good idea to recycle your boxes, paper, and bubble wrap. This ensures that nothing is wasted. Asking your new neighbours if anyone needs packing materials can be a good means of reducing waste when moving. 

Make natural household cleaners

Let’s face it, moving house requires a great deal of cleaning. Not only do you need to leave your old property spick and span for the next occupants but you’ll also want to make sure your new abode is clean and tidy. Unfortunately, so much cleaning can create lots of waste in the form of bottles, cans, sponges, and clothes. One way to combat this is to use concentrated refills or reusable packages. In many stores, there are new systems in place for customers to refill or reuse packaging. 

You could also try making your own household cleaners. Whilst this might seem challenging, it’s actually a lot easier than you think. For example, for a basic spray cleaner, simply mix one cup of vinegar with one cup of water and add it to a spray bottle for a gentle, natural deodoriser that will dissolve dirt and remove soap scum and hard water stains. For a glass cleaner, you could mix one cup of rubbing alcohol with one cup of water and one tablespoon of white vinegar. There’s no need to go through endless bottles and cans of cleaning products when you can quite easily make your own.  

Hire an eco-friendly removals company 

Reducing waste when moving becomes so much easier when you hire the services of an eco-friendly removals firm. Darvills is one of the leading removals companies in Bradford and Halifax. We’re always taking steps to protect the environment and we’re very proud of our green credentials. Many removals firms have systems in place to reduce the amount of packing materials needed so less waste is generated. They can also usually recycle or reuse the packing supplies after the move to minimise your environmental impact.

Contact us 

We hope you’ve found our eco-friendly removal tips useful. For further information on reducing waste when moving, get in touch. Call Darvills on 01274 963 057 (Bradford) or 01422 747 036 (Halifax) or send us a message via the website. We can answer any questions you may have or provide you with a competitive quote for our removals services.