Toward Zero Waste Moving Tips
Toward Zero Waste Moving Tips
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Congratulations! You are moving to a new home!
Your offer has been accepted, the home has passed inspection and now you are just waiting to sign all those documents on closing day. While moving into or out of a new place can be exciting, it can also get complicated quickly. Closets and rooms need to be cleared out, garages need to be emptied, and clothing needs to be packed or donated. Expenses can start to pile up and your schedule can feel frazzled. While you’re waiting to say goodbye, here are some money-saving, earth-friendly tips and tricks to make your move low waste!
Look Around.
As you plan your move, take time to consider the items you own and are committed to relocating. Ask yourself, Have I used this in the last 6 months? Will I use it again? Am I moving to a region with the same climate? All your possessions are lovely but are they worth the time and expense to wrap, box, move, and then unwrap once in your new place?
Start decluttering in advance.Â
If you have a few months before the big day, you can greatly reduce the amount of stress and increase the use of reusable, repurposed, and recycling options. Reduce the amount of belongings needed to pack by giving away unneeded items, organizing a yard sale, using up food and beverages in the house, donating to thrift stores and shelters, and selling items locally.
After you’ve decided what you definitely want to keep and want to leave behind, call a responsible junk removal company like Old Time Junk Hauling to remove your unwanted items and give you more breathing room. They can transport items for you to donation centers or bring household waste to recycling facilities, or the landfill if needed.Â
Gather Packing Materials.Â
When most people think about moving, the first thing that comes to mind is stacks of cardboard boxes. While cardboard is an earth-friendly material as it can be easily recycled; purchasing new isn’t the only, or most eco-friendly, option.
Reuse: Use cardboard boxes that you have already instead of buying new. For packing, stacking, and shipping purposes, it is easier to have the same size boxes. People regularly post on sites like Craigslist, Buy Nothing Groups, and Nextdoor either in search of (ISO) or offering up moving boxes and supplies (this is also a great way to get rid of your boxes at the end of your move). Take advantage of the space within your hampers, baskets, suitcases and bins by filling them before moving them.
Repurpose: Use what you have! There are several low-waste options when it comes to packing for a move. Instead of styrofoam packing peanuts, use scarves, towels, and t-shirts to pack fragile items – things you need to pack anyway! Â Kraft paper, biodegradable packing peanuts, and newspaper are all low waste choices. Request packing materials from friends, family, neighbors, businesses, etc.Â
A zero waste alternative to cardboard boxes and disposable packaging materials is to use a company like Lend-A-Box. Randy Hall, Owner of Lend-A-Box in Raleigh, NC provides clients with not only clean reusable totes but also reusable corrugated inserts for boxes, glasses, dishes. The heavy-duty plastic totes are easy to stack, weatherproof, and will be dropped off and picked up (for local moves). Same day/next day options are available.
Moving Day:
Plan your meals to use up food in the fridge and pantry. Give away what you can’t bring and won’t eat. Reduce food waste by leaving it with neighbors, local friends or by offering it on a Buy Nothing Group. The more jars, bottles, and boxes of food you have, the more moving supplies you’ll need. Relying on fast food once on the road can be a big producer of waste once all your kitchen items are packed up and hunger strikes.
If you are driving far, pack snacks for the road. Minimize food boxes by portioning off snacks and fruit if possible. Stasher brand bags or other silicone bags are great for this.
Top 5 Tips for Zero Waste Moving:
- Quarter folding boxes instead of using tape (or use paper tape and dispenser)
- Use blankets and sweaters to pack fragile items instead of buying styrofoam peanuts.
- Plan ahead to use up food and perishables
- Donate and recycle as much as you can rather than sending to the landfill.
- Take a photo of how your electronics are connected so you can remember how and where all the wires go.
Best way to reach out to Randy at Lend A Box Raleigh:
https://www.facebook.com/lendaboxraleigh
https://lendabox.com/raleigh/meet-the-team-raleigh/
https://www.instagram.com/lendaboxraleigh/
Best way to reach out to us, Old Time Junk Hauling, Sponsor of Toward Zero Waste:
www.facebook.com/oldtimejunkhauling
www.instagram.com/oldtimejunkhauling
www.oldtimejunkhauling.com
More local resources for helping with a low waste moving process:
Style consultant: Cintergenic spaces
Green buildings: Ashley Rummage
Moving companies
GentleGiant – Charlotte and many other cities
Truckinmovers – Raleigh/Cary/Durham and surrounding areas
U-Haul – available nationwide, rents reusable storage and moving boxes & has movers
Greentreecrates – Cary, Raleigh area, rents reusable storage boxes only
About the Author:
This was such a helpful guide for moving toward zero waste! Moving can be such a stressful and wasteful process, but your tips make it feel so much more manageable. I really appreciated the focus on planning ahead and finding ways to reuse and recycle materials. It’s a great reminder that with a little effort, we can reduce waste even during big life transitions.
Do you have any specific advice for sourcing second-hand packing materials or where to donate items quickly before a move? That’s always been the most challenging part for me. Thanks for the practical and eco-friendly tips!