6 Tips For A Greener Office Move

Relocating an office is a tricky business in itself, but when you are trying to do so with genuine concern and consideration for the environmental impact of your activities, it can seem like just one hurdle too far. Thankfully, moving office doesn’t need to be environmentally damaging, in fact by being considerate to the sustainability of your plans, you can also cut costs and reduce the stresses involved too. Here are some top tips for a greener, cleaner office move:

1. Have a good clear out
Every item you move adds to the weight and fuel consumption of the moving vehicles involved with your relocation. An office move can be an ideal time to reassess what equipment and materials you have in the office, and to have a good clear out to ensure you aren’t carting around things you no longer need.

2. Pick a prime location
When choosing the office to relocate to, consider more than just the cost involved for the floor space you are getting. Consider where your suppliers are located, where your staff are coming from, and the overall sustainability of the building under consideration. Look for properties that have been well insulated, well glazed and which have modern solutions installed for heating and ventilation. In the end you’ll save more in fuel bills than you’ll spend in a premium to rent this type of property.

3. Hire packing crates
Packing boxes do a great job and can be recycled at the end of the job, but even better than this is to use plastic packing crates that can be reused over and over again. At the end of their lives they can be broken down and recycled into more packing crates, making them the most sustainable option for greener office moves. Your office removals company will often be able to supply these, or there are plenty of independent companies offering plastic crates for hire.


4. Recycle unwanted furniture
No doubt your move will require the purchase of some new furniture, and the disposal of some of your existing furniture. Rather than just throwing it out, work with a resale partner to get as much as you can recycled into startup businesses or private homes.

5. Choose a moving company with green credentials
One of the biggest carbon costs of an office move will be contained in the physical movement of your furniture and equipment from your current office to your new location. Pick a moving partner who shares your concern for the environment to minimize this element. Look for companies with:
•    Fuel efficient vehicles
•    Experience in office removals
•    The ability to pack efficiently
•    Access to recycled or sustainable packing materials
•    Carbon offsetting programs

6. Green clean
Before you give back the keys to your current premises, you will no doubt be required to give the place a thorough clean. If you employ your own cleaners to do this for you, make sure you pick a cleaning company with sustainability at the heart of their business. Look for companies that use sustainable, Eco-friendly and chemical free cleaning methods, as well as those which are ISO 14001 accredited.

Author bio- Guest post by James Harrison, who works as relocation consultant. He regularly contributes write ups to business websites and blogs, with most of his writings based on tips for small business setups, office relocation and marketing techniques. In his free time he plays sports mainly soccer and chess and is also passionate about reading fiction and traveling.