"What if moving didn't have to suck?"
That's the question Becky Lapierre loves to ask.
She does so because her company -- Efficient Spaces: Organization & Design -- makes moving house easy and environmentally friendly.
That's right -- Kelowna-based Efficient Spaces has become BC's first green certified moving company through the BC Green Business program delivered by Synergy Foundation.
Efficient Spaces' motto is: Less waste, less, stress and more care.
"Efficient Spaces helps clients decide what should move, what can be donated or sold and what can be reused or recycled," said Lapierre.
"This is a huge step for an industry synonymous with waste."
To do that the mover has built sustainability into its day-to-day operations.
It reuses moving boxes, materials and supplies, uses an electric moving truck, chooses recyclable and eco-friendly products and finds new homes for what you don't want through donation and resale.
This process is applied to all of Efficient Spaces' services from moving and downsizing, packing and unpacking, organizing your new space, decluttering and organizing your existing home, whole home cleaning and disposal of unwanted items.
"Being BC's first green-certified moving company is important to me because I want to show that you can build a successful business around your values," said Lapierre.
"We can take care of our clients, support our community and make better choices for the environment. We don't have to choose one over the other."
Lapierre is also proud that Efficient Spaces is a woman-owned-and-operated company.
"I want women to know that they can create something successful without having to fit into someone else's idea of what business should look like," she said.
"You can build something from your own experience, your values and your vision -- and make a difference while doing it."
Efficient Spaces wants other companies to come along for the ride.
"I don't want us to be the only green moving company," said Lapierre.
"I want us to be the first. If we can inspire other companies to do better, then we've accomplished something bigger than ourselves."
Synergy Foundation, which does the green certifications, is a non-profit organization based in Victoria that helps local economies and business shift to more sustainable and green practices.
It has certified more than 250 businesses across the province, including Kelowna companies such as Home Block Restaurant at CedarCreek Winery, Barn Owl Brewing, Lakeside Eco-Sports and A View to Remember bed and breakfast.
