Staying Green When Moving House

By -
IMG_5605 Moving House [Explore]!

Moving house has the potential for being a significant source of environmental pollution, but for those who are environmentally aware it is an opportunity to show their commitment to the well-being of our planet. Some form of transport is almost always needed for a move, so that there is really no way of avoiding a contribution to pollution, but steps can be taken that will leave a smaller carbon footprint behind.

Packing up a home

Cardboard boxes manufactured from recycled material, or wooden crates that derive from sustainable forests should be the containers of choice when moving house. These materials are biodegradable and will decompose over time if they cannot be reused or recycled after a move. Any form of plastic should be avoided, including the convenient, but eco-disastrous bubble-wrap. Old newspapers are just as effective in the protection of fragile items and old sheets or blankets will take care of the larger items, such as the television. Then there are the items that are no longer required. 

Disposing of unwanted items

Moving house usually produces significant quantities of items to be discarded. Renting a skip from an environmentally conscious skip hire company like Love Skips ensures that the move continues to be kind to our planet. Skip hire companies must be fully compliant with waste removal regulations and the move to environmentally friendly methods has impacted on the compartmentalisation of skips to facilitate recycling.

Companies employing this policy will sort items at source and ensure that, wherever possible, items are sent to be recycled. Solid waste that is not eco-friendly will be disposed of in a manner that causes the least ecological harm.

Choosing the right removal company

Moving house in an eco-friendlymanner includes checking on the vehicles that are used by removal companies before contracting with them. Gas-guzzlers or removal vans that send clouds of toxic exhaust fumes into the atmosphere should alert customers to a company's apparent disregard for the welfare of our planet. If a large enough number of prospective clients refuse to do business with these companies on grounds of environmental neglect, there is an excellent chance that they will soon comply with recommended health and environmental standards. Renting a large enough van to complete the move in a single trip will also ensure that less fuel is used.

Greener Cleaning

Petroleum based cleaning products have a toxic and long-lasting effect on the environment. The continual warnings regarding the state of our planet's health have inspired a large and freely available range of products that are derived from renewable sources. These cleaning products are every bit as effective as the conventional, while being biodegradable and non-toxic. There are also very simple and inexpensive methods of cleaning thoroughly using products that are found in most kitchen cupboards. Baking soda is a wonderful cleaning agent when mixed with a little warm water and has the added benefit of eliminating odours.

Moving house means getting rid of a diverse range of items and the disposal of these should always be done with the environment in mind. Many communities now have special recycling days where they are willing to take all waste products off of your hands for safe disposal. Making use of these when moving house benefits all concerned.

Comments

  1. Maria IemmaAugust 6, 2013 at 10:53 PM

    When I moved into our current house I said I would never move but guess what, due to a job transfer we are going to be moving in three months 2500 miles away. Thank you for the tips.

    ReplyDelete
  2. veronicaleeAugust 9, 2013 at 11:24 PM

    Great tips as always and I love that you use a snail pic for this topic! Too cute!

    Junk disposal is the number one problem when moving house and should be done in a responsible and eco-friendly manner.

    ReplyDelete
  3. TimAugust 21, 2013 at 6:47 AM

    Great post --- I really never thought about staying "green" when I moved last year but this blog post gives me a lot to think about the next time (God forbid) I need to move.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Cleaning 101: Declogging drains

By -
Image
Clogged drains are typically easy to fix, as we can unclog it physically, chemically or a combination of both.   However, it usually depends on the nature and extent of the problem so before calling on an experience plumber in parramatta , here are some tips that you may try to uncork that clog. The kitchen sink is most often clogged with fats, grease and oils, unplug or remove the strainer, as grease accumulate around the strainer in the sink. Remove and wash away anything that has collected around it. You may also use liquid sosa or liquid lye, just pour it straight then wait for 10 minutes before flushing it with tap water.   Better yet pour in the chemical at night before going to sleep when nobody will use the kitchen sink anymore. Flush it with water the next morning.
click here to read more >>

6 Simple Ways to Save Money at Home

By -
Image
  With the economy being what it is, people are more conscious about their expenses. The last thing you want to be doing is spending money on things that are not essential. There are simple ways to save money at home, which can cut down your bills significantly. Use energy-efficient appliances If possible, buy energy-efficient appliances such as washing machines and dryers that have lower water and energy consumption levels. These will help save energy and thus money over time because they consume less electricity than their non-efficient counterparts do. Consider replacing your old refrigerator with an energy-efficient refrigerator. You may not be aware of the fact that your fridge is one of the biggest consumers of power in your home. An inefficient refrigerator can use up to 300 kWh per year, which is more than 10% of the total household energy bill. So, it is important to get an efficient one that uses less electricity and saves you money on your electricity bill. Use en
click here to read more >>

Mother, Blogger

By -
As I already mentioned in my first article, I am a full-time housewife, tending to the daily house chores. Though I have my helper with me, I personally tend to my husband and children's needs. Being in the house all day long makes me bored to the max! It's a good thing, I love to read, and when I'm done reading, I go online and check my accounts in Facebook, Twitter,and email. I started creating my own blog a year ago, but due to my hectic schedule being an ICafe Owner at the same time due to my health problems I wasn't able to pursue it. Being a mother doesn't mean you cannot be a blogger. I am not a professional writer, but I can express my opinions and ideas in my own way and style of writing. I will be writing articles, not only for the mothers' interest but for the whole family as well. May you find my articles worth reading. You may expect for a weekly update on this site.
click here to read more >>