These days, more people than ever are thinking about how they can change their routines to live an eco-friendlier lifestyle, and there are many ways to do so. From how you power your home to how you get to work, there are many ways that you can prioritize sustainability. You can apply that same sense of environmental responsibility when you move from your home to a new city or state.

If you care about the planet, then there are many ways to eliminate waste and save energy during your move and feel better along the way. Let’s talk about how you can make a difference during your relocation.

1. Research sustainable companies

The easiest way to ensure an eco-friendly relocation is to spend some time reaching sustainable moving companies, as they will get you started on the right foot. There can be many reasons why a business may consider itself sustainable. They might drive green vehicles, use boxes made from recycled cardboard, or even plant trees during their downtime. Most moving companies will boast that they are environmentally friendly companies, so they won’t be hard to find. You’ll need to make sure you locate one that services your area.

2. Plan out the move

As a next step, make it a point to plan out your move so you can prevent potential waste. Start by planning how you will pack efficiently so you’ll need fewer boxes and you’ll be able to take fewer trips as you transport your belongings to the new house. If you are driving the moving truck yourself, it is a good idea to plan the route you’ll take ahead of time to find the shortest and most direct route, so you waste less fuel and produce the least amount of emissions possible during the drive.

When you have a plan and control every aspect of your move, you will find that it will be a less stressful endeavor. Avoiding anxiety is necessary for your mental health, and it will do the project that much easier.

3. Be smart about packing materials

A central pillar of sustainability is reusing what already exists so factories don’t have to release harmful pollution to make new products that may not be necessary. You can continue this positive trend by using suitable packing materials when you’re moving. While using recycled cardboard is a great start, you can push this idea further by using plastic containers and totes. Not only are they often more robust and more stable than cardboard, but you may even be able to sell them back to the moving company once you are done.

If you are packing fragile valuables, you should also be savvy about securing these items. It would help if you avoided styrofoam packing peanuts because they often find their way to landfills once the move is complete, where they can sit for hundreds of years. Instead, you can keep valuables in place and protect your future by using your clothes as a cushion or consider a recycled paper that you can use for other projects afterward.

4. Take the chance to declutter

Moving from your current home to a new residence is a great chance to declutter your home and get rid of possessions you no longer need. While packing, go room by room and carefully consider each item before putting it in the box and determining if you need it.

Start with old toys that your children have outgrown and furniture that no longer matches your decor, and go from there. You can lighten your load when cleaning out the closet. Suppose there is anything that you haven’t worn during the last year. In that case, you probably won’t wear it again, so consider donating those outfits and your other unnecessary items to charity.

There are many benefits to giving old belongings to charity during your move. You will lighten your load so the moving truck will get better gas mileage and produce less pollution, for starters. On top of that, charitable organizations will sell those items to their patrons. When people buy what already exists, it reduces the need to purchase brand new items that must be made in those pollution-producing factories.

5. Continue your sustainable efforts at the new home

As part of your moving plan, you can also think about how you will continue to live a sustainable lifestyle in your new place. It is easier to make eco-friendly changes as soon as you move in because you will be essentially working a blank canvas. Think about changes you can make to the interior design, such as installing energy-efficient appliances and low-flow showerheads that waste less water. You can also make the best use of natural light by putting couches and desks near windows so you can see what you are doing during the day without needing to turn on a fixture.

You can bring your sustainable home environment to the next level by incorporating plants into your design. In addition to creating a positive space with cleaner air, plants can also make you more efficient if you work from home and help you to feel better overall. Instead of wasting resources by purchasing new plants, you can transport your existing plant life from your old home to your new place. When moving plants, you should use landscaping fabric to wrap the roots but keep them hydrated throughout the whole process. When you get to your new home, be sure to immediately put them near a window and provide them with rich soil so they can continue to thrive.

As you can see, there are many ways that you can have a sustainable and eco-friendly move. Consider the tips above and think about other ways that you can reduce waste, and you’ll be doing the right thing as you go through this exciting life change.