Move and save the environment at the same time – 6 simple tips

1. prepare your move well in advance
Start planning and preparing for your move well in advance. This way you'll save both your nerves and the environment. If you don't start planning well in advance, you can easily end up throwing away things that could otherwise be sold, donated or reused. An upcoming move is also a good opportunity to review which items you actually need in your new home and which ones can be given away or packed away for future use.

2. go through your things room by room
The possessions that are still useful, but unusable to you, can be donated or reused. It is surprisingly easy to get rid of them, for example through donation groups on Facebook. Furniture that requires refurbishment can also be given away or swapped on the same Facebook pages, as there are likely to be people interested in quality furniture that they can refurbish themselves. Broken furniture should be taken to the recycling center, and it is strictly forbidden to leave furniture at the local waste sorting points. Smaller items can be left at the local waste sorting point, but remember that glass, metal and cardboard should be sorted separately. Those items that are useful and in good condition, but unusable for you, can be sold online, for example. If you want to get rid of them quickly, keep that in mind when pricing your items.

3. minimize your plastic consumption and use the materials you already have
Clothes and other textiles that you no longer use should not be thrown away. Save them and use them to pack your things during the move. Towels and dishcloths can be used to pack crockery before putting it in the moving boxes, and glasses can be wrapped in socks. Cutlery and kitchen utensils can be wrapped in towels, and you can use duvet covers and sheets for your furniture. Newspapers can be used to wrap fragile items. Therefore, do not throw away old newspapers, but save them - you will most likely need them. If you don't get newspapers in the mail, you can check your local recycling center. You can wrap your plates in paper towels without tearing the paper, so you can roll the paper back up and use the paper towels after unpacking in your new home. Also, feel free to use your suitcases and other bags in addition to the moving boxes. Remember that you can buy moving boxes at Pelican.

4. think before you throw something away
When you throw something away and buy something similar shortly afterwards, you are not being very environmentally conscious. You may not need the item right now, but this can change. Therefore, instead of throwing it away, it is a good idea to keep useful things for future use. The most important items are often easy to find space for, if you just think smart when packing.

5. remember to sort your waste when you buy new
When you buy white goods, they often come in a lot of packaging which is then just rubbish. Remember to sort plastic, styrofoam and cardboard. Plastic and styrofoam should go in 'mixed waste', while cardboard should be sorted separately in the cardboard container.

6. donate your moving boxes after the move!
Once the move is over, you can offer the used moving boxes to your friends and acquaintances instead of just throwing them away. You can also donate them in special Facebook groups.