Climate Change and the Relocation Industry: What Can We Do To Help?

When it comes to climate change, everyone needs to do their part to make a difference. Even one small change can have a considerable impact on the environment when thousands take up the cause and become part of the solution. One industry which isn’t often considered when discussing climate change is the relocation industry.

There are tens-of-thousands of moving trucks traversing the highways and byways of cities and towns all over the world, and making a difference isn't just about increasing fuel-efficiency.

Fuel-efficiency is an excellent place to start. However, there are other things moving companies can do to help reduce the size of their carbon footprint, such as the type and quantity of packing materials they use.

It stands to reason that if every moving company made one small positive change to their operations to benefit the environment, it would have a significant impact on the sustainability of the planet.

Here’s what our company is doing to reduce our environmental impact on the earth.

1. Using a More Fuel-Efficient Fleet

Technology hasn’t yet reached the stage where electric-powered versions can replace large diesel-powered trucks. However, significant advances have been made to improve fuel efficiency in modern vehicles.

One strategy is to shut down the motor while the vehicle is stationary and start it again the instant the driver applies pressure to the accelerator. A new fleet of powerful, yet fuel-efficient vehicles ensures the minimum amount of emissions are entering the atmosphere when we move your stuff to its new location.

2. Reusing Packaging Materials

Moving large trucks full of stuff requires quite a lot of packaging materials to keep items safe and prevent breakages. By reusing packing materials such as cardboard boxes and artwork crates, we reduce the amount of waste.

3. Sorting and Recycling Waste

Making sure all suitable materials are recycled at the end of the moving cycle also ensures the amount of waste making its way to landfills is reduced. At the end of each move, all materials such as plastic, paper, wood, and metal are sorted and disposed of in a responsible, environmentally friendly manner.

4. New Technology Eliminates Unnecessary Trips

Every unnecessary trip impacts the environment and creates waste. New technology can improve the efficiency of operations and keep trips to a minimum. Video surveys are just one example of technology coming to the rescue of a planet.

Customers can contact a moving company and instantly connect with a representative. Through clever use of smartphone camera technology, the movers can create a detailed inventory and have an accurate record of the cube needed for the move.

5. Educating Movers about Switching to a More Plant-Based Diet

In a classic example of thinking outside of the box, a moving company has taken the bold step of educating its staff on the benefits of a plant-focused diet.

Meat-based diets take a heavy toll on the planet in an agricultural sense because raising cows for their meat creates a huge energy deficit. If people consumed more plants and less meat, it could help ease the challenge of producing enough food for a growing population as well as reduce greenhouse emissions.