We all need to move from time to time. It's inevitable. We move out of our parental homes, we go study, we find jobs. It's a natural part of life. However, you can take a few steps to ensure your next move is just a little greener. And, who knows, it may even save you a bit of moola.
Moving house is always the perfect opportunity for a much-needed spring clean! Spring cleaning and downsizing before a move means that you have a lighter load and require less space during your move. This helps you reduce your carbon emissions by using a smaller truck, using less fuel and making fewer trips.
During your spring cleaning, you can put aside any items you don’t use anymore or that are broken. It also forces you to take inventory of all your belongings which ensures you don’t buy anything you already have or don’t need when you reach your new home.
The last thing you want is for all the items you put aside during spring cleaning to end up in a landfill. So only throw those items away if you have no other option. So what are your other, more sustainable options?
You can sell your items online on the following platforms:
Gumtree
Facebook Marketplace
Yaga for clothes
Sell n Buy
Host your own garage sale
Donate or give away your items at the following places:
Local drives or charities
Thrift stores, hospice shops and second-hand furniture stores
Animal shelter charity shops
Ask friends or family if they would like it
Lastly, you can recycle any plastic, wooden, cardboard, e-waste or glass items that are beyond repair or unwanted. Read our complete guide to recycling in South Africa for more info.
While bubble wrap is necessary to protect some of your more fragile items, why not protect some of your things from bumps and scratches by stuffing boxes with all your softer items.
Soft fabrics such as towels, clothes, linen, pillows and blankets make perfect protectors to wrap up cutlery, art, picture frames and any other items that need a bit of padding.
This green solution not only removes all packing materials waste but also solves two problems, as you now don’t need to worry about finding space for all your fabrics.
If you run out of fabrics or require some more heavy-duty packing materials for very fragile items, make sure to invest in more sustainable packing materials that are biodegradable or at least recyclable. For example, you now get biodegradable boxes, bubble wrap, packing peanuts, furniture pads and paper tape.
Local providers of eco-friendly packing materials include Ecobox and K-Pak.
View this post on Instagram
A crucial aspect of making your move greener is ensuring that the transportation involved is as efficient as possible. This is where Wise Move comes in. Our platform is designed to help moving companies optimize their routes and deliveries, reducing unnecessary mileage and lowering carbon emissions.
When you choose to book your move through Wise Move, you’re indirectly contributing to a greener future. Our focus on route and job optimisation not only helps moving companies save on operational costs but also significantly reduces the carbon footprint of your move. It’s an effortless way to make a positive impact on the environment without any extra effort on your part.
If you've ever moved before, you know that feeling when you're all packed out but your house still looks like a mess with all the empty moving boxes. Wouldn't it be great if you could just send them back somewhere? Luckily there are now more sustainable reusable moving box alternatives that you can "return to sender".
Rent reusable boxes or crates: These can be used up to 400 times and often don’t require tape.
Use old boxes around the house: You can use boxes from old appliances or past deliveries.
Ask local stores for used boxes: Instead of these boxes lying around to be thrown away, you can give them some extra uses and ensure they are recycled properly.
Another great trick for being more frugal with your moving boxes is to find storage opportunities in your own belongings. This could be suitcases, duffel bags, tote bags, reusable grocery bags and storage boxes.
It's estimated that trucks emit around 16,8 kg of carbon emissions into the atmosphere. So the best thing you can do when moving is to make sure you don't waste any space. You can do this by allowing a "shared load" where a few people share one truck, or booking a backload so that the truck doesn't return empty.
You'll even find that you get better prices for sharing– it's a win win.
You can also do your part of the plant by being a conscious consumer and choosing companies that prioritise sustainability.
For example, Wise Move is partnered with 1% for the Planet, a non-profit global initiative where we contribute 1% of our annual sales, irrespective of losses or profits, to a carefully chosen roster of local sustainability charities, going towards wildlife conservation, habitat protection, sustainability research and more at centres across South Africa.
Wise Move’s moving company platform also connects you with local, top-rated moving services where you can easily compare them and find the companies that are best for both your budget and the environment!
Instead of just dumping the final packaging materials you have left over, why not recycle your moving boxes and any waste that you do end up with after the move is over? Take a trip to your local recycling centre and hand over all your cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, tape, packing peanuts and more.
And if your materials are still in pretty good shape, you can reuse them by checking with friends and family if they may want them for an upcoming move.
While it requires just a little more effort and thought, carrying out a more sustainable, eco-friendly move is actually pretty easy! And you can start today by choosing your environmentally-conscious moving service.
Check out Wise Move to find trusted, affordable (and green!) moving services across South Africa where you can find the perfect moving service that’s better for your budget and the planet!
It's free and easy to create a request on Wise Move.
Describe, add photos and the dimensions of your shipment in your listing — anything that you think will make a difference, will make a difference.
Our platform will reach out to moving companies and movers relevant to your delivery specification in your area.
Movers may ask you a few more details about your delivery before giving you a quote.
Compare prices and get to know movers before accepting their quote by reading previous customer reviews on our platform.
Pick your preferred mover and arrange collection and delivery.
Prepare your package for collection or if you are moving home, get ready for moving day.
Meet and greet your chosen movers on your collection day.
Sit back and relax while your movers takes care of your booking.
Please notify us of any violations. This information will be kept confidential and shared only with Wise Move.
