Sustaina-savvy Aussies - How to Move House Sustainably

When it comes to moving house, the more items you have, the more it costs to move. We’ve found Aussie’s are a savvy bunch and love being part of a circular economy. Ditching unnecessary items before the move pays off for our wallets and also serves as a sustainable choice. Alana takes a look at Muval's research to see just how eco-friendly we are and the surprising items we are sentimental about.

What the 2023 Muval Index found

The Muval Index found an impressive 81% choose generosity, donating unwanted items to charity, while 53% prefer to share the love by giving belongings to friends and family. Adding a touch of sustainability, 49% opt for selling second-hand items. However, we did find 37% part ways with unwanted household goods by throwing them out. Diving into sentimental values, Australians express stronger attachment to their beds than to cherished photos as well as phones and laptops are considered among the most treasured and irreplaceable items.

Other ways to turn your house move into an eco-friendly one:

Use second-hand moving boxes & upcycle packing materials

You can always find second-hand (and generally free!) boxes on places like gumtree and Facebook marketplace as well as large department stores. Use your old rags, t-shirts and household materials to wrap your fragile items and line boxes. 

Clean with green products

When it's time to bid adieu to your old place, a substantial amount of cleaning is inevitable. Instead of resorting to cleaning products rife with harmful chemicals in single-use plastic containers, explore sustainable alternatives or why not try a DIY cleaning product – and they cost next to nothing to make!

How to make a DIY kitchen cleaner

For a homemade kitchen cleaner, grab baking soda to clean drains, sinks, counters, and appliances. To deodorise, pour baking soda into the drain. For stainless steel, make a paste with baking soda and water, rub in the direction of the grain, then rinse and buff dry. Apply the same paste to ceramic sinks for a sparkle.

Adopt new eco-friendly habits

Moving is the perfect time for a sustainability makeover. Embrace changes to eco-fy your new home and habits. Explore recycling programs, opt for drought-resistant landscaping, and consider starting a veggie garden.

Upgrade to energy-efficient appliances

Consider upgrading ageing appliances. Modern appliances often boast greater energy efficiency compared to their older ones and they have the potential to save you money on long-term energy bills.

Share this page on Facebook