Moving with eco-friendly habits: how to make your Bradford move greener

Moving house can create a lot of waste: piles of cardboard, rolls of tape and plastic, furniture left on the kerb and several half-empty van trips. With a bit of planning, you can cut most of that out. These habits make your move greener, and many of them save time and money too.

Sort early and rehome what you can

The greenest item to move is the one you do not take. Start sorting a few weeks before you move, and split things into keep, sell, donate and recycle.

• Sell good furniture and electricals through local selling groups or online marketplaces.
• Give away items for free to neighbours, friends or local reuse groups.
• Donate clothes, books, toys and homeware to charity shops. Bradford’s local centres, from Shipley to Eccleshill, have plenty.
• Furniture charities often collect sofas, tables and beds in good condition. Check what they accept before you book.

Moving less also means a smaller van and a shorter day.

Recycle the rest properly

Some things cannot be reused. Bradford Council runs household waste and recycling sites around the district, plus a bulky waste collection for large items. Electricals, batteries, paint and old mattresses all need the right disposal route. Check what is accepted where on Bradford Council’s website before you load the car.

Never leave unwanted furniture on the street. It is fly-tipping, even if you hope someone will take it.

Reuse boxes and packing materials

• Ask friends, family and neighbours who have moved recently for their boxes.
• Local shops often have sturdy boxes they are happy to give away.
• Use suitcases, laundry baskets, storage tubs and drawers as containers.
• Choose paper tape where you can, and use only as much as you need.

Strong boxes can be reused several times, so after the move, pass them on to someone else.

Pack with what you already own

You probably own most of the padding you need:

• Wrap plates and glasses in tea towels and jumpers.
• Use duvets and blankets to protect furniture and mirrors.
• Stuff socks into glasses and mugs.
• Pack pillows around fragile items in large boxes.

If you do buy materials, packing paper is easier to recycle than plastic. Save bubble wrap for the items that really need it, such as TVs and glass.

Cut down on trips

Several trips in a car or a small van can use more fuel than one well-planned trip in the right vehicle. A removal team that brings the right size of van and loads it properly will often do the job in one go.

If you are hiring a van yourself, be aware that Bradford has a Clean Air Zone, and some older vans are charged to drive in it. The government’s Clean Air Zone checker shows if a vehicle is affected.

Use up food and cleaning products

• Run down your freezer and cupboards in the weeks before the move.
• Give spare unopened food to a local food bank or neighbours.
• Use up half-empty cleaning bottles, or take them with you rather than throwing them away.
• Clean the old house with simple products such as vinegar, bicarbonate of soda and washing-up liquid.

Set up the new home with energy in mind

Moving day is a good time to start fresh:

• Take meter readings on the day you leave and the day you arrive.
• Check the boiler and heating controls in the new home.
• Fit draught excluders. Many older stone terraces in Bradford have draughty doors and sash windows.
• Swap old bulbs for LEDs as they fail.
• Set up recycling bins straight away. Bradford Council’s website lists collection days for your street.

Make the most of your removal team

A professional crew can help you move greener without much extra effort. Using blankets and covers for furniture cuts the need for plastic wrap, and planning the load well means fewer trips. Our house removals team plans each move around the volume you have, so the van is the right size for the job.

If you only have a few items, our man and van service may suit you better than a large vehicle.

When you are ready to plan your move, get a free quote through our quote form or call 08000862860.