Tag: carbon footprint Page 5 of 7

close up shot of food in white ceramic bowl

What comes to mind when you think of healthy snacks? Perhaps fresh fruit, nuts, or yoghurt? While those options certainly have their place, there’s another snack that’s gained significant popularity in the UK for its health benefits: hummus!

Originating in the Middle East, this versatile dip has captured the hearts and taste buds of people around the world, including the UK.

In this article, I’ll explore five reasons why making homemade chickpea hummus is a healthier and more eco-friendly choice.

Reason 1: Healthier ingredients

Nowadays, convenience is king, especially when it comes to meals. Takeaways, fast food, microwaved ready-meals, and store-bought sandwiches and dips are all convenient solutions for busy people.

However, despite claims of healthiness on food packaging, nothing beats homemade foods, especially those made from scratch.

For example, when you make your own hummus at home, you have full control over the ingredients you use.

In contrast, store-bought hummus often contains preservatives to extend its shelf life or lower-quality oils to cut costs.

By making your own hummus, you can use fresh and healthy ingredients, such as organic chickpeas, fresh lemon juice, and high-quality olive oil.

Morrisons classic hummus Ingredients — Store-bought hummus often contains preservatives to prolong its shelf life.

Reason 2: Reduce packaging waste

Aside from using healthier ingredients, making your own hummus can also help reduce packaging waste.

When you buy store-bought hummus, it usually comes in single-use plastic containers or packaging that cannot be easily recycled.

By making your own hummus at home, you can store it in reusable food storage containers, such as Tupperware bowls or meal-prep containers, that can be washed and reused.

This not only reduces the amount of waste you generate but also helps to minimise the impact on the environment.

By choosing to make your own hummus, you’re not only making a healthier choice for yourself, but you’re also contributing to a more sustainable future.

If you do occasionally find yourself buying store-bought hummus, you might notice that it typically comes in a plastic container, sealed with a plastic sleeve, and covered with a plastic lid.

You can actually reuse the container and lid once they’re washed, cleaned, and dried. In fact, these containers can be quite handy for storing snacks like nuts or grapes when you’re packing your lunch for a trip.

By reusing these containers, you can reduce waste and get more use out of them before they ultimately need to be recycled.

Nuts in a plastic container — Repurpose plastic containers for storing nuts.

Reason 3: Lower carbon footprint

Another benefit of making homemade chickpea hummus is that it can help lower your carbon footprint.

First of all, you won’t need to drive to the supermarket if all you need is a healthy snack like hummus. So the less you need to drive, the less air pollution you contribute to.

Secondly, store-bought hummus is often produced in large factories, packaged, and shipped to various stores, which require transportation and refrigeration.

Again, this transportation process contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and increases the carbon footprint of the product.

By making your own hummus at home, you can eliminate the need for transportation for yourself and for the supermarket delivery trucks.

You can also choose to use locally sourced ingredients, further reducing the environmental impact of your food.

Furthermore, making your own hummus can also reduce food waste. When making your own hummus, you can control the amount you make, ensuring that you use only what you need and reducing the likelihood of leftover hummus going to waste.

So, by choosing to make your own hummus, you can save money on transportation costs, and make a positive impact on the environment while also enjoying a delicious and healthy snack.

Reason 4: Being more cost-effective

Another advantage of making homemade chickpea hummus is that it can be more cost-effective than buying it from the store.

With the recent rise in food costs and global chickpea shortage, the price of store-bought hummus has significantly increased. Even worse, sometimes there may be no hummus left on the store shelf!

While store-bought hummus may seem convenient, the cost can quickly add up, especially if you consume it regularly or almost every day!

On the other hand, making your own hummus at home can be a more affordable option with pantry-friendly ingredients, which are cheap and easy to store.

For example, buying a bag of dried chickpeas and cooking them yourself can be cheaper than buying canned chickpeas or store-bought hummus.

You can also save money by using other basic ingredients such as tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic, which are often cheaper when purchased in larger quantities.

By choosing to make your own hummus, you can not only save money but also have the satisfaction of creating a tasty and healthy snack at a lower cost.

Reason 5: Customizable

One of the great things about making homemade chickpea hummus is that you can customise it to suit your taste preferences.

While store-bought hummus may be convenient, it can be challenging to find a flavour that you absolutely love.

When you make your hummus at home, you can experiment with different ingredients and spices to create a hummus that is unique to your palate.

For instance, you can add more garlic for a stronger flavour or add cumin, paprika, or other spices to give your hummus a little kick.

If you have a sweet tooth, you can even have sweet hummus, such as dark chocolate hummus or snickerdoodle hummus.

spices needed for homemade hummus — You can experiment with different ingredients

Besides the flavour, you can also adjust the texture of your hummus to suit your preference – if you like it creamy, you can add more tahini, olive oil or even yoghurt, and if you prefer it thicker, you can use less liquid.

Furthermore, if you have dietary restrictions or preferences, making your hummus at home allows you to control the ingredients that go into it. For example, you can make a vegan version by substituting dairy yoghurt for a non-dairy version.

Overall, making your hummus at home gives you the freedom to experiment with flavours and textures to find the perfect recipe that suits your taste buds.

Now that you know making your own hummus can have multiple benefits beyond just health and sustainability, why not try making your own? !

Here’s my go-to simple and delicious recipe for creamy roasted red pepper hummus.

This vegan hummus recipe is perfect for a healthy snack, party dip, or, more often than that, I spread hummus to my freshly toasted bread. Yum!

With just a few simple ingredients and a food processor, you can have delicious and nutritious homemade hummus in no time.

healthy vegan hummus — creamy and nutritious vegan roasted red pepper hummus

Print Pin

Roasted red pepper hummus

flavourful, creamy, nutritious, vegan

Course Side Dish, Snack

Keyword chickpea, hummus, red pepper

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 10

Servings 4 people

Calories 100kcal

Cost £5

Equipment

1 food processor (or 1 immersion blender)
1 saucepan (or Tatung ricer cooker)

Ingredients

100 g dried chickpeas (or 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed)
120 g roasted red peppers (you can also replace some red peppers with yellow peppers)
2 cloves roasted garlic (add more if you like your hummus to taste more garlicky)
2 – 3 tbsp tahini (add up to 4tbsp if you like your hummus to taste nuttier)
2 – 3 tbsp vegan yoghurt (add more if you like your hummus more creamy)
3 tbsp olive oil (use 1tbsp to roast red peppers and garlic)
½ tsp cumin (use ¼ when roasting red peppers and garlic)
¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
1 – 2 tbsp chickpea water (reserved from boiling chickpeas, or use water if using canned chickpeas; to thin the hummus)
2 – 3 ice cubes (to thin the hummus)
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
½ lemon zest (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Rinse dried chickpeas in a colander and remove any debris or stones.
Add the chickpeas to a large bowl and cover them with tap water.
Let the chickpeas soak for at least 8 hours or overnight.
Drain the water from the soaked chickpeas. Then, in a saucepan, cover them with 2 inches of fresh water. Bring to a boil, then turn down the heat to low or medium-low, and simmer the chickpeas for 30 minutes.
If using tinned chickpeas, drain and rinse them. Keep 2-3 tbsp of the chickpea water for later use. Transfer drained chickpeas to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the chickpeas on high for 2-3 minutes, or until they are hot and slightly dried out. Cooking time may vary depending on the wattage of your microwave. (see *note 1)
If you have Tatung ricer cooker, you can steam your soaked chickpeas instead of boiling them in a saucepan. First, rinse the soaked chickpeas and place them in the rice cooker. Cover the chickpeas with a few inches of fresh water, and add 1/2 cup of water to the rice cooker. Then, place the lid back on the cooker and turn it on to steam the chickpeas. Allow the chickpeas to steam until they are tender, which should take about 30 minutes. Once they are cooked, drain any excess liquid and let them cool before using them in the recipe. (see *note 2)
While your chickpeas are cooking, prepare roasted red peppers and garlic. Preheat the oven to 200°C. Roughly slice the red peppers, peel the garlic skin and rub both of them with 1 tbsp olive oil, ¼ tsp cumin powder and ¼ cayenne pepper. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roast in the oven for 15 minutes. (see *note 3)
In a food processor, add the chickpeas, roasted red peppers and garlic, tahini, yoghurt, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, pepper, cumin, cayenne pepper (optional), and 2 tbsp of chickpea water and 2 ice cubes. Blend until smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
While the food processor is running, slowly pour in the olive oil until fully incorporated.
If the hummus is too thick, add another tablespoon of chickpea water or some more ice cubes and blend again until the desired consistency is achieved.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Serve in a bowl. Enjoy with flatbread, pita bread, baby carrots, or crackers.

Video

Notes

*note 1: This helps to remove excess moisture and create a creamier texture for your hummus.

*note 2: The steaming method could help the chickpeas retain more nutrients and result in a creamier hummus. However, it’s important to make sure that the chickpeas are fully cooked before making the hummus. You may want to test the chickpeas for tenderness after the cooking time is up and adjust the cooking time accordingly.

*note 3: Skip cayenne pepper if you don’t like the heat in your hummus.

Discover 10 Simple Hacks to Save Money While Saving the Earth

By Rachel

On April 27, 2023

In Eco-friendly lifestyle

As the cost of living continues to rise around the world, more and more people are looking for ways to save money and reduce their expenses.

However, not everyone realizes that saving money can also have a positive impact on the environment.

It’s easy to think of eco-friendly choices as expensive or inconvenient, but the truth is that there are many simple actions we can take in our daily lives that can help us save money while also reducing our carbon footprint.

I used to be like many people – I didn’t realize how my spending habits could affect the environment.

But as I learned more about the impact of human activity on the planet, I began to see that every small action counts.

In this post, I want to share ten easy and practical ways that anyone can save money while also helping to combat global warming.

By making small changes to our daily routines, we can all do our part to create a more sustainable future for ourselves and for generations to come.

Making your own coffee is more cost-effective than buying from coffee shops.
Packing your lunch in reusable containers with your cutlery can reduce unnecessary waste.
Takeaway meals can be much more expensive compared to home-cooked meals.
Reducing food waste is critical to combating climate change and preserving the environment.
Shopping secondhand gives used items a second life instead of contributing to the ever-growing amount of waste in landfills.
The best way to avoid shopping temptations is to limit our shopping trips, both physically and virtually.
Reducing water usage saves us money on water bills but also helps to reduce the pressure on the environment.
Reducing our electricity usage lowers our energy bills and contributes to a healthier environment.
Reducing meat consumption decreases demand for meat products and encourages the production of non-meat alternatives.
Whenever possible, walk to your destination instead of driving.

Make your own coffee at home

Do you rely on takeaway coffee to get your caffeine fix?

Unfortunately, most takeaway coffee cups cannot be recycled and often end up in landfills.

So, making your own coffee at home or bringing it with you in a reusable flask is an easy and eco-friendly solution. Not only is it better for the environment, but it’s also more cost-effective than buying from coffee shops.

In fact, coffee prices in the UK have risen by more than 25% in the past two years due to inflation, energy costs, and shipping expenses for businesses.

It’s unlikely that this trend will slow down anytime soon, so setting a monthly coffee budget and making your own coffee can save you money in the long run.

pour-over coffee maker and a french press

By bringing your own coffee in a reusable flask, you can also reduce your consumption of single-use coffee cups and help to decrease the amount of waste ending up in landfills.

So, next time you’re craving a cup of coffee, consider making it yourself or bringing it with you in a reusable flask to save money and reduce your environmental impact.

Pack lunch for work

Bringing your own lunch to work may not always be possible, depending on your job type and whether there are facilities available, such as a fridge or microwave.

However, when it is feasible, packing your lunch is a great way to save money and reduce your environmental impact.

Eating out or buying meal deals often involves the use of single-use plastic cutlery and plastic packaging, which can end up in landfills or harm marine life.

By packing your lunch in reusable containers with your cutlery, you can reduce unnecessary waste and help the environment.

healthy lunchboxes — Photo by Antoni Shkraba on Pexels.com

Moreover, packing your own lunch allows you to choose healthier options and control what goes into your meal.

Many ready-made meals sold in cafes or supermarkets contain high levels of salt and fat. So, by making your own lunch, you can ensure that it is both healthy and affordable.

Order less takeaway food

Ordering takeaway food is a convenient and popular choice for many people, especially with the rise of food delivery apps, such as Just Eat or Deliveroo.

However, the packaging used for these meals, such as plastic containers, cutlery, polystyrene boxes and brown bags, are often made of non-recyclable materials, which ultimately end up in landfills or oceans, harming the environment.

Moreover, delivering these meals by scooters or cars adds to the already high levels of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change.

But that’s not the only issue with takeaway food!

In addition to its environmental impact, it can also be bad for your health. Most takeaway meals are high in salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats, which can lead to various health problems if you consume them too often.

Moreover, we all know that takeaway meals can be much more expensive compared to home-cooked meals.

So, try to reduce the number of times you order takeaway foods.

When ordering, think about how you can minimise your environmental impacts. For example, choose restaurants that use environmentally friendly packaging and delivery methods.

If you plan to collect your takeaway food yourself, it’s a good idea to call the restaurant beforehand and ask if you can bring your own reusable containers to use for your order. Here are some tips for using your own containers for takeaway food.

Reduce food waste

When was the last time you threw away food because it was past its use-by or best-before date or because it looked off?

Or perhaps you’re the kind of person who skips the first and last slice of bread and unconsciously tosses them away?

There are many reasons people waste food, but most of them are due to a lack of awareness about the catastrophic impact that food waste can have on the environment.

According to WEF (World Economic Forum), food waste is the largest component of US landfills, even more than any other material.

When food rots, it produces methane gas, which is a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential around 28 times greater than carbon dioxide over a 100-year timescale.

This means that reducing food waste is a critical step towards combating climate change and preserving the environment for future generations.

While there are plenty of tips on reducing food waste, such as planning meals and using leftovers, the size of our fridge and freezer is often overlooked.

Larger fridges tend to encourage overbuying, as we fill them up to feel satisfied and secure in having plenty of food at our disposal.

However, using up the food we have can be more challenging, as we may forget about items that get buried in the back or tucked away in drawers.

As a result, a smaller fridge can be part of the solution to reducing food waste!

With less space to store food, we become more mindful of what we have and are more likely to use it up before it goes bad.

So when it’s time to purchase a new fridge, consider downsizing as a way to help reduce your food waste and environmental footprint.

Another thing worth keeping in mind is the use-by and best-before dates on food packaging.

It’s important to know that these dates are mostly used to indicate food quality rather than safety. While some foods, like meat and dairy products, may require specific dates for safety reasons, with fresh produce like vegetables and fruits, best-before dates are often unnecessary.

I’m glad to see that in recent years, more and more supermarkets have started removing best-before dates on fresh food.

As consumers, we should certainly embrace this movement and learn to rely on our senses to determine if a food item is still good to eat instead of automatically throwing it away once it has passed its date.

You can use your sense of smell and sight to assess the quality of a food item. If it smells bad or has gone mouldy, it’s best to discard it.

However, if it looks and smells fine, it may still be safe to eat. In fact, many food items can still be consumed safely even after their expiration date!

The WRAP provides a useful guideline on how long different types of food can be safely consumed after the date on the package has passed.

By learning how to properly interpret these dates and trust our senses, we can reduce food waste and save money while helping the environment.

Shop secondhand

Whenever I need to buy non-food items like clothes, accessories, or furniture, I always start by checking out the charity shops in my town.

It’s become a habit for me to embrace the concept of shopping secondhand, especially at stores run by charities.

adult book book store bookcase — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Not only do I feel good about my money going towards a good cause, but I also love the thrill of finding unique and one-of-a-kind items that I wouldn’t find anywhere else.

Plus, by shopping secondhand, I’m giving these items a second life instead of contributing to the ever-growing amount of waste in landfills.

I even shop at second-hand stores for birthday presents! It’s a great way to give a thoughtful gift without breaking the bank. I’ve found some amazing vintage pieces that my friends and family have absolutely loved.

Do you know not all the goods at those stores are used?

The secondhand stores run by charities often receive donated goods from brand companies, and those goods are brand new but sold at much lower prices in the charity shop.

Sometimes people donate their Christmas presents or birthday gifts to charity shops because they don’t think it’s something that suits their style or something they’ll use, so you can find brand new items at a fraction of their original price.

So if you haven’t tried shopping secondhand, give it a go! You never know what treasures you might find, and you’ll be doing your part to reduce waste and support charities at the same time.

Limit your shopping trips

Do you often find yourself leaving the store with more items than you intended to buy?

It’s easy to get tempted by deals, discounts, and rewards programs offered by shops and supermarkets. Even the background music can affect our spending behaviour.

As an impulse buyer myself, I’ve learned that the best way to avoid these temptations is to limit my shopping trips, both physically and virtually.

Before heading out to the store or browsing online, make a list of the items you need and stick to it.

Try to avoid making unplanned stops at the store, and if you do need to go, make a list and stick with it.

Shopping with a friend who can keep you accountable can also be helpful.

Another tip is to unsubscribe from marketing emails and unfollow stores on social media that often tempt you to buy things you don’t need.

By limiting your exposure to these marketing tactics, you’ll be less likely to make impulse purchases.

Remember, the less you shop, the less you spend, and the more you reduce your carbon footprint, contributing to a brighter future for the environment and future generations.

Reduce your water usage

Access to clean and safe drinking water is a privilege that not everyone has.

With 2 billion people globally lacking access to safe water, it’s more important than ever for those of us who do have access to take steps to reduce our water usage.

Here are some simple actions you can take to reduce your water usage:

Fix water leaks in your home
Take shorter showers
Do laundry less frequently
Save water from hand washing or face cleaning and reuse it

By reducing our water usage, we not only save money on water bills but also help to reduce the pressure on the environment caused by overconsumption and climate change.

Let’s do our part to conserve this precious resource and contribute to a more sustainable future for all.

Reduce energy consumption

The increasing cost of living and inflation have forced many of us to take a closer look at our energy consumption.

By reducing our electricity and gas usage, we can not only lower our energy bills but also contribute to a healthier environment.

Here are some simple tips to help you reduce your energy consumption:

Use energy-efficient LED bulbs instead of traditional incandescent bulbs.
Turn off lights when leaving a room, and unplug devices when not in use.
Adjust your thermostat when leaving the house or when you’re asleep to save energy.
Wash your laundry with cold water to reduce energy use.
Upgrade to more energy-efficient appliances and consider double-glazed windows/doors to reduce heat loss.
Seal cracks around your home to prevent heat from escaping.

By taking these steps, we can help reduce our reliance on traditional energy sources like fossil fuels, natural gas, and coal.

This not only helps to save money but also helps to reduce our carbon footprint and create a healthier planet for future generations.

Eat less meat

Not only are plant-based proteins like beans, lentils, and tofu often cheaper than meat, but they are also better for the environment.

The meat industry is a significant contributor to climate change through deforestation, water consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions.

By reducing our meat consumption, we can decrease demand for meat products and encourage the production of non-meat alternatives.

Consider going meatless for a few days a week and try out some new plant-based recipes. Your wallet and the planet will thank you!

Drive less

As we all know, how we travel from A to B can harm the planet.

So, if possible, walk to your destination instead of driving.

Walking has numerous benefits for our physical and mental health, and it’s a zero-emission mode of transportation.

If walking isn’t possible due to distance or the purpose of your trip, consider using public transportation if it’s available in your area.

If you’re a commuter, carpooling is another option to reduce the negative impact on the environment.

Remember, owning a car can be expensive, not just in terms of petrol, but also insurance, MOT, breakdown coverage, and environmental impacts.

The car industry relies heavily on fossil fuels and produces a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions.

By reducing our driving, we can save money and protect the environment. So, let’s all do our part and drive less whenever possible!

pleasant woman preparing stuff for moving

Move Green: 10 Easy Tips for an Eco-Friendly Relocation!

By Rachel

On February 17, 2023

In Eco-friendly lifestyle

Moving to a new home is known to be one of the most stressful events in life, and I never thought I would have to go through it.

I was content with my current living situation and had a great relationship with my neighbours.

However, life has a funny way of throwing unexpected changes our way, and at the end of 2022, I found myself moving into a new place.

Throughout the process, I learned the importance of making eco-friendly choices when moving homes.

So, in this post, I want to share ten sustainable moving tips to help make your future move less stressful for both you and the planet.

Declutter as far in advance as possible

When it comes to making your move more sustainable, decluttering your belongings is a crucial step.

My number one tip is to start decluttering way ahead of the moving date.

While many of us know we should declutter before packing, it’s better to do it much earlier than we plan to move.

Even if you think you might move someday, start decluttering your home NOW!

This will ensure you have ample time to go through all of your belongings and find new homes for the things you no longer need or use.

Trust me, when you begin a house-hunting process, you won’t have the energy or time to declutter your home thoroughly.

My personal experience with decluttering began when my husband and I were living in a small bungalow.

Despite our small living space, we had accumulated many things over the years that were stored away in three lofts – two big and one small.

Then, one day, I stumbled upon a book called ‘The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: A simple, effective way to banish clutter forever‘ by Marie Kondo.

Marie is a tidying expert, and her book taught me the importance of decluttering not just for the sake of organizing but for creating a more peaceful and joyful living environment.

After reading Marie’s book, we started decluttering our living space and lofts. I donated a lot of clothes to charities and only kept the items that brought me joy.

As Marie Kondo says, ‘My criterion for deciding to keep an item is that we should feel a thrill of joy when we touch it‘. This is especially true when it comes to clothes and accessories.

As for the things in our lofts, we only kept a few of them and gave away the rest to our neighbours, family, and friends.

When giving things away, be strategic about finding multiple sources to give to, maximizing the chance of giving those things a second life.

Decluttering is not just about organizing your belongings; it’s also about being mindful of the impact your possessions have on the environment.

Almost everything we consume takes a lot of natural resources to produce, and we shouldn’t take that for granted because the Earth’s resources are limited.

Furthermore, when things end up in landfills, they generate unnecessary greenhouse emissions.

According to statistics, worldwide landfill waste is responsible for about 11% of global methane emissions, and this figure is expected to be even higher in the next decade.

By giving ourselves ample time to declutter, we can ensure that our belongings do not end up in landfills, and we can take a sustainable approach to relocate.

empty jars — I gave them to a teacher who plans to use them in her school project

Reuse packing materials and original boxes

Are you one of the 53% of online shoppers in the US and the UK who buy consumer electronics, such as TVs, computers, and mobile phones, four times a year?

If so, you may have noticed that these electronics are often packed with the highest standard to ensure they arrive in immaculate condition.

When you receive a delivery like this, it’s important to unpack it carefully and save the packing materials, such as bubble wrap, foam peanuts, and packing papers, for future use.

It’s also a good idea to keep the original boxes for big items, as they can serve two purposes.

First, you can use the box to return the item if it’s faulty or you change your mind about the purchase. Second, you can use the box when you move, as it’s the perfect size for those big items.

This same principle can apply to kitchen appliances, too. If you’re concerned that the boxes will take up too much space in your home, simply unfold them neatly and store them away.

Another way to collect packing materials is by reusing them from gifts you receive. Fragile items like glassware, ceramic pots, and photo frames are often wrapped tightly in bubble wrap or kraft paper.

Instead of throwing away these materials, unwrap your gifts gently and save the packing materials for future use. Remember the 3Rs for the environment: reduce, reuse, and recycle.

By making a habit of saving packing materials from your online deliveries and gifts, you can reduce waste and save money in the long run.

Plus, you can start this practice well ahead of beginning your property search.

Repurpose your old bed sheets

Don’t throw away your old bed sheets just yet!

While they may wear out or develop holes after a few years, they can still be incredibly useful, especially when it comes to moving home.

Instead of getting rid of them, consider repurposing them.

Ripped bed sheets, old jeans, and tablecloths can be great cushioning materials for fragile items during a move. You can use them to wrap and protect delicate items like glassware or picture frames.

In addition, they can be draped over sofas or chairs to prevent damage during transport.

Furthermore, when disassembling your bed on your moving day, you can use your old bed sheets to cover your mattress or bed frame.

This will not only protect your bed from scratches or other damage, but it will also keep it clean during the move.

So before you toss your old bed sheets, think about how you can repurpose them for your next move. They may come in handy when you least expect it!

Pack with the things you already have

When you have a moving date in mind, you might feel the urge to start buying packing materials right away.

However, take a moment to consider what you already have on hand that you can use for packing. Using existing items is not only cost-effective, but it’s also an eco-friendly choice.

Here are some common household items that can be repurposed for packing:

Luggage, suitcases, and Amazon boxes are great for packing clothes or heavy items.
Gloves are useful for packing small jewellery, such as rings or earrings.
Laundry baskets can be used to pack toiletries or cleaning products.
Cooking pots make for great packing material for bowls or plates, while pans can be used for cutlery.
Towels, blankets, or scarves can protect delicate items.
Papers or soft linen can be used for wrapping dishes or glassware.
Grocery shopping bags are a great option for packing pantry staples.
Bin bags can be used for packing shoes.
If you’re moving furniture, consider temporarily removing the drawers and using them to store your books, CDs, or DVDs.
Indoor bins can be used to pack general tools, while outdoor bins can be used for garden tools.

Utilizing these items saves money and reduces waste while still packing your belongings safely and efficiently.

towels to protect fragile items — glasses wrapped with paper

Get free moving boxes from your local shops

Moving can be an expensive process, and one of the most significant expenses is the cost of boxes.

On average, you might need 8-10 medium-sized boxes for each room, but by following a few simple tips below, you can significantly reduce the number of boxes you need.

However, if you still need additional boxes, don’t rush to order them online. Instead, consider reaching out to your friends, family, co-workers, or local shops to get free moving boxes.

Most shops, including supermarket chains and DIY stores, are happy to give away cardboard boxes as long as you ask.

When visiting a shop, it’s worth checking their delivery times as they tend to unpack many of their goods after delivery.

By arriving when they have nearly finished unpacking, you are more likely to get sturdy boxes.

In addition to regular boxes, you can also get wine bottle boxes with cell dividers for free. These boxes are typically made from strong double-wall cardboard and come with dividers that are perfect for storing wine, beer, or any glass oil or sauce bottles.

By following these tips, you can save money on moving boxes. You may even find that you don’t need to buy any boxes for your move.

folded cardboard boxes — free boxes from the local shops

If you are moving long distances and need sturdier boxes, you can consider renting reusable plastic crates, which are easier to stack, load, and transport, and provide better protection for fragile items during transit.

Prioritise important documents

When it comes to packing for a move, it’s important to prioritize the items that are most valuable and difficult to replace.

That’s why you should start by packing all of your important documents, such as birth certificates, passports, driving licenses, and any vital information from your GP, bank, solicitors, and insurance companies.

It’s best to keep these items separate from the rest of your belongings and load them into your car rather than leaving them to travel with the removal company etc.

To ensure the safety of our important documents during our move, I packed them about a month before our moving date.

By doing so, I could ensure that they were secure and wouldn’t get mixed up with my other belongings on the day of the move.

I packed them in my carry-on luggage, which allowed me to keep them with me at all times during the move. This gave me peace of mind, knowing that these important documents were always within reach.

Pack off-season items second

If you’re moving in the summertime, consider packing your winter clothes, scarves, and gloves a month ahead of time, as well as other occasional-use items such as movie box sets, books, tools, sentimental items, family photo albums, and seasonal decorations like Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas decorations.

By doing this, you’ll have fewer things to pack as your move date approaches, which can help reduce your stress levels.

Buy and sell second-hand furniture when moving home

Selling or buying second-hand furniture can be a smart move when you’re moving to a new home.

Some pieces might not fit in your new place, so it’s worth considering whether you can sell or buy items from the previous or new owners.

If you’re in the property chain, you can ask the new owner of your current house if they’re interested in buying any of your furniture.

Contacting the buyer can be tricky, but your listing agent may be able to pass on their contact information once their offer has been accepted.

If your agent is hesitant to share the buyer’s contact information, you can email them details of the furniture you want to sell and ask them to forward the information to the buyer.

Additionally, you can consider selling larger items like washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, TV stands, or wardrobes if they don’t fit in your new place.

You can also inquire about buying furniture from the seller of your new home. For instance, if you’re moving into an older house, ask the current owner if they’re willing to sell any furniture.

This approach worked well for us when we moved from a smaller to a larger place. We purchased three pieces of furniture from the seller and were grateful that they left their built-in washing machine and dishwasher.

By selling items that don’t fit in with your new places and buying second-hand, you can move fewer belongings, meaning you won’t need a large moving van.

Furthermore, selling unwanted items to a new owner instead of disposing of them in a landfill is much more eco-friendly.

a large van for house moving — We hired this van for our moving, finishing everything in two moving loads.

Minimise food waste

Moving homes is already stressful enough without the added burden of wasting food.

Did you know that food waste is responsible for around 8% to 10% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions?

To avoid this, it’s important to plan ahead and come up with a meal plan based on the contents of your fridge and freezer at least two weeks before your moving date.

By doing so, you can use up as much of your chilled, frozen, and pantry foods as possible, leaving you with less to take with you.

To further minimize waste, try to avoid making regular trips to the supermarket in the days leading up to your move.

Instead, finish up what you have and then do your grocery shopping once you’ve settled into your new place.

And if you still have chilled or frozen foods that you can’t take with you, consider asking your neighbours if they’d like to have them. You might be surprised by how open-minded people can be about accepting still-good food.

In fact, I did this myself on the night before our moving date!

I gave a few bags of frozen food to my neighbour, who was more than happy to accept them even though some had already been opened.

The next day, I prepared breakfast and lunch using the remaining items in our fridge, which meant we didn’t waste any food.

By minimizing food waste, we not only help the planet but also reduce the guilt of food waste.

Prepare first-day essentials for a smooth move

After weeks of anticipation and planning, the day of your move has finally arrived!

To make the moving process smoother, ensure that you have gathered all your packed boxes in one place on your moving day.

This will make it easier for the removal men or any friends and neighbours to help you load the van and ensure that nothing gets left behind.

things ready to be loaded for house moving — I have all the packed boxes in one place

On the day of the move, it’s also important to pack your first-day essentials separately, as you may not have the energy to unpack everything immediately after arriving at your new home.

Some key first-day essentials to consider include:

Toiletries: Pack two rolls of toilet paper, a hand towel, a bath towel, hand soap, a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo and shower gel.
Bedroom items: Prepare a change of clothes for your first night and any sleep aids you may need to ensure a good night’s rest.
Kitchen essentials: Pack a kettle, mugs, tea, coffee, sugar, plates and cutlery for each member of the family, dishcloth, dish liquid, dish sponge, kitchen towel, and a hand towel.
Cleaning supplies: Bring all-purpose cleaning products, cleaning cloths, two bin bags, and a dustpan and brush.
Miscellaneous items: Don’t forget an emergency first-aid kit, a basic tool kit, phone chargers, and a pair of scissors to open boxes.

Having these first-day survival kits on hand will save you from making last-minute trips to the store. You won’t be forced to purchase items that may not be environmentally friendly due to time constraints.

Being prepared will help you start your new chapter off on the right foot.

Congratulations on making it this far in the house-moving process! Best of luck with the next steps.

Save the Planet & Live Sustainably