How to make your international move sustainable

We all want to do our bit for the environment, so finding the most sustainable way to move internationally has become a priority for expats. Schmidt Global Relocations explains what you can do to keep your carbon footprint as small as possible.

Moving abroad is a fresh start, a leap into the unknown. While you are packing up your life, do you stop to consider what you’re leaving behind? Not just your old home, but also the wasted materials and half-empty trucks burning unnecessary fuel.

A sustainable international move is possible; your new life doesn’t have to come at the expense of the planet. As an expat you can relocate without adding to the climate burden, but how?

The carbon cost of an international move

Let’s start with the challenge. Every move leaves a footprint. Planes and trucks burn fuel, packing materials pile up and shipments often travel with more empty space than necessary.

A poorly planned relocation is like taking a half-full suitcase on a long journey; wasteful, expensive and unnecessary. However, leaving your furniture behind and buying everything new is equally unsustainable.

What are the main problems?

These are the top things that you need to consider:

• Transport emissions: Air freight has the highest carbon footprint, while inefficient road transport can add to the problem.
• Packaging waste: Traditional moving companies rely on plastic wrap, disposable boxes and single-use materials.
• Empty space in shipments: When a moving van or sea freight container isn’t fully packed, emissions per cubic metre of your move skyrocket.

Groupage shipping: there are benefits to shared space

Empty space is the enemy of sustainable logistics. To avoid waste, sustainable removal companies will fill containers with multiple shipments going to the same destination countries. This is the so-called groupage shipment option, which is the best for the planet and your wallet. Fewer trips, lower emissions and reduced costs. Everyone wins!

Instead of sending half-full containers across the ocean, every cubic meter is used efficiently. By planning ahead and being flexible with your delivery window, groupage shipping gives expats a more sustainable way to relocate internationally. The more time the movers have for coordination, the more efficient your move will be.

Look for removals companies that have frequent departures to major destinations, so that delays are limited, and find those that offer storage prior to departure included as a service. That way, it’s also in their best interest to ship quickly.

The (rail) road to responsible moving

Moving requires transport, but not all transport is equal. Find a company that prioritises lower-emission options. This can be done not only by using trucks that meet the highest emissions standards, but also by moving containers via rail, reducing lorry usage.

Choosing the right mode of transport matters. Air freight is the fastest option, but generates 47 times more pollution than sea freight. The slow road is often the smarter one.

Packing with purpose

A chaotic move is exhausting and expensive. Make sure your sustainable removals company provides structured, waste-free packing solutions such as:

• Reusing packing materials when possible.
• Using crates made from recycled corrugated cardboard, which are more sustainable and can be reused or recycled.
• Offering furniture donation and recycling so that your unwanted items don’t end up in a landfill.

A well-packed box is a well-travelled one. Full, structured packing means fewer shipments, better use of space, and a lower environmental cost.

What can you do as an expat?

Sustainability is a common goal: we do it together. How can you prepare for your move?

• Pack efficiently: A half-empty box takes up space that could be used elsewhere.
• Declutter before you move: The lighter your shipment, the lower your impact. If you haven’t used it in a year, donate or sell it.
• Plan ahead: The sooner the removals company can coordinate, the better they can optimise transport. Last-minute moves mean fewer sustainable options.
• Groupage shipping: A flexible timeline allows companies to combine shipments and reduce transport emissions. 

Relocating is not just about getting from A to B, it’s about moving in a sustainable way that minimises your carbon footprint.

Schmidt Global Relocations does more than just transport belongings. They move people forward, without leaving the world behind. Interested in making your move more sustainable? Go to Schmidt Global Relocations and start your journey.