A Finnish Proverb says, “Happiness is a place between too little and too much.”
For many longtime homeowners, the shift to “too much” can occur without even realizing it. An accumulation of “stuff” over the years, busy schedules, and simply no time to finally organize the basement, attic, or garage….
This can all lead to an overwhelming task when homeowners are faced with moving to a new location.
Many homeowners resign to packing up all of their belongings and hoping to find the time to sort and discard while unpacking. But, there is a better way!
Discard & Donate
Discard & Donate professionals help sort, organize, and remove items prior to a move. Taking this time upfront enhances the marketability of a home during showings, reduces the overall cost of a move, and helps homeowners settle into their new homes more quickly. Not to mention, Discard & Donate also reduces transferees’ stress levels by providing part consultants, part coordinators, and part hard workers to support your employees and their families.
ESG Considerations
The environmental impact of sorting, discarding, or donating is also significant. Some movers calculate the number of trees saved on each move by eliminating cardboard and packing material. This is in addition to fuel savings and repurposing items through donation instead of sending them off to a landfill.
Not all household goods shipments are created equal, in terms of carbon emissions. In fact, the carbon footprint of air shipments is disproportionately high compared to other transportation modes, making it imperative for businesses and global mobility programs to seek sustainable alternatives; This includes preventing the item from ever being shipped by leveraging Discard & Donate.
How the Service Works
Relocation management companies (RMCs) like WHR Global work with these Discard & Donate providers to aid employees, families, and their employers. The homeowner first completes a needs assessment with the provider to determine the scope of services needed. They can arrange for unwanted items to be picked up and donated to charity. Any goods that are unable to be donated will be taken by the provider to the appropriate waste removal site.
When determining which household items to keep, discard, or donate, it’s critical for relocating employees to ask themselves the following questions:
- Do you use the item regularly?
- Does it have sentimental value?
- Are you saving it “just in case?”
- Do you have more than one?
- Can you easily replace it in the destination?
The Cost
Pricing for Discard & Donate is determined by the amount of goods discarded or donated. However, if you — the employer — are paying for the move, the service fee is nominal compared to the transportation savings (with an additional $.65 per lb. of savings remaining).
Example: Remove 2,000 lbs. of household goods
Standard shipping cost: $2,400
Discard & Donate fee: –$1,100
Savings on one shipment: $1,300
Conclusion
Just remember: “The more things you own, the more they own you.” Relocating employees have enough concerns, including housing, timelines, cost of living, and more.
Contact us to find out more about how Discard & Donate services can help relocating employees declutter, be happy in their new homes, and save your company money in the move process.