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

1. Prepare your move well in advance
Start planning and preparing for your move well in advance. This way you'll spare both your nerves and the environment. If you don't start planning ahead of time, you could end up throwing away items that could have been sold, donated or recycled. An upcoming move is also a good opportunity to review which items you actually need in your new home and which can be given away or packed away for future use.

2. Go through your stuff room by room
The belongings that are still useful but useless to you can be donated or recycled. It's surprisingly easy to get rid of through donation groups on Facebook, for example. Furniture that needs refurbishing can also be given away or swapped on the same Facebook pages, as it is likely that someone is interested in quality furniture that they can refurbish themselves. Broken furniture must be taken to the recycling center, and it is strictly forbidden to leave furniture at the local waste sorting sites. Smaller items can be taken to the local recycling center, but remember that glass, metal and cardboard must be sorted separately. Items that are usable and in good condition but useless to you can be sold online, for example. If you want to get rid of it quickly, think about this when pricing your items.

3. Minimize your plastic consumption and use the materials you already have
Clothes and other textiles you no longer use should not be thrown away. Save them and use them to wrap your belongings during the move. Towels and tea towels can be used to wrap crockery before it goes into the moving boxes and glasses can be wrapped in socks. Cutlery and spoons can be wrapped in towels, and you can use duvet covers and sheets for your furniture.
Newspapers can be used to wrap delicate items. Therefore, don't throw out old newspapers, but keep them - you will most likely need them. If you don't receive newspapers in the mail, check your local recycling center.
You can wrap your plates in paper towels without tearing the paper, that way you can roll the paper back and use the paper towels after unpacking in your new home. You can also use your suitcases and other bags in addition to moving boxes.
Remember that you can buy moving boxes at Pelican.

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

5. Remember waste sorting when you buy new
When you buy white goods, they often come in a lot of packaging, which is then just trash. 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 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 dedicated Facebook groups.