When moving to a new home, one can use a lot of energy and produce a lot of waste. According to the recent UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen and the national 10:10 Campaign to reduce carbon emissions by 10% in 2010 already underway, there has never been more pressure to think carefully about the impact our lives have on the world around us. Here’s a short guide to help you in being green when moving to your new house.

Move less stuff.
Inevitably, we end up hoarding bits of rubbish and general stuff we actually only come across when moving house. By being less sentimental, you will not only have to pack less, thereby saving on packaging or storage materials, but you can also recycle. Freecycle is a great way to get rid of unwanted stuff that could be reused. It helps to match people who have things they want to get rid of, with people who can use them. This approach helps to keep things out of landfills, reduce consumerism, manufacture fewer goods, and lessen the impact on the earth. You can also give lots to charity shops or organizations, who could benefit from clothes and household items.

Green your packaging.
Ask friends and colleagues if they have any or other types of containers you can use and then return. Use soft materials such as towels and linen to wrap fragile items to avoid using newspaper or worse, bubble wrap.

Think carefully about waste.
Aside from de-cluttering personal items, there will be lots of other potential household waste, some of it hazardous which you need to think about. Don’t just throw old tins of paint or other such toxic substances in the shed or garage, into the bin. Ensure you dispose of them responsibly. If you can’t find friends or neighbors who can use what you have left, you should find there is a local hazardous resource centre which can dispose of, or recycle paint and other such materials. Make sure you set aside all potentially recyclable materials too, paper, glass, plastic. Taking a little extra time to sort them is better than condemning them to landfill.

Use an eco-friendly moving company.
They are out there and some are pretty competitive on price, plus offer the feel good factor too. Some may offer use of crates or boxes which are continually reused thereby saving impact (and trees!), some may run on bio-fuel (natural materials recycled e.g. cooking oil) or have low carbon vehicles. Feel free to ask how they reduce carbon emissions or similar when you make your enquiry. Green credentials are becoming increasingly important.

Eco-clean.
Use non toxic biodegradable materials such as bicarbonate of soda, white vinegar and lemon juice which all have natural cleaning properties. Bicarb is great at lifting grease and stains when mixed with water and can clear drains when mixed with vinegar. Use vinegar as a great all round cleaner and deodorizer, lemon juice to cut through scum or as furniture polish when mixed with two parts olive oil. Not only much more eco friendly, but cost friendly too.