Foreign assignments are a great way to experience another country and explore.  If you have been offered a foreign assignment with your company, you have been given an opportunity of a lifetime.  In order to make your transition easier on you and your family, the first thing you should do is familiarize yourself with your company’s relocation policies and procedures and the extent of the assignment.  Often times companies will put you in contact with a contract relocation service provider to help you.  If you are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to work with a full-service provider like Starline, it will facilitate the relocation process.  Full-service providers, like Starline are fantastic because they handle everything from packing, storing and transport, which helps monitor and control the process.  Having a moving coordinator that is responsible for your move, helps tremendously because you have one point of contact for the move, leaving you free to focus on other pressing matters.  Further, they will help prepare you for the assignment.  The purpose of these professionals is to familiarize and facilitate your entry into the country. 

However, if your relocation is primarily your responsibility you can still enjoy the adventure.  You will just have to do your research and understand what services are available to you and use them to their fullest potential.  Understanding what is allowed into the country and the rules that govern foreign entries are the most important for you to know.  Once you have arrived and settled, you now have the opportunity to travel and explore, which is the best part of foreign assignment.  

Before you make your decision on which moving company you want transporting your goods find out what different companies are doing to reduce their carbon footprint.

MOVING OUT

Ask questions to make sure your mover is doing their part to be an eco-friendly company – helping you to make your move a Green Move.

Highland Moving & Storage holds a FAIM certification which requires that the company maintains certain environmental standard. Below are just a few of the policies Highland Moving & Storage has implemented to Move their company on Greener path:

Recyled stationary and packing materials are purchased whenever possible. Lower grade material is produced using less processing/manufacturing.

For more information on the FAIM certification please click on the following link. FAIM

Last blog we gave you some great alternatives to throwing your unwanted goods in the trash. Once you’ve decided what will stay it’s time to pack. Below are some suggestions from Edmonton mover, Highland moving and Storage to keep in mind while packing your goods.  

PACKING UP!

If you are packing your own goods:

Avoid using styrofoam peanuts and bubblewrap. These packing materials are not only bad for the environment but they are also not the best method to use for padding your fragile goods.

The best option for packing and wrapping fragile goods is paper made from recycled products. Highland Moving uses only recycled paper as packing material.

Before you book your move ask your sales rep or coordinator if recycled materials are being used.

Use linens and towels as padding or to wrap your breakables. This is a great eco-friendly alternative.

Use recycled boxes – ask your Relo Coordinator to purchase recycled boxes for your upcoming move. Not only are you being environmentally conscious but you’ll also save money.

Plastic bins and file boxes are great for transporting your goods. They stack wonderfully in the trucks and will protect your goods during transport.

Follow these simple steps to help make packing as eco-friendly as possible.

                                                  Images provided by flickr.com