Seth and I packed up our entire home in the summer of 2020 and moved to Honolulu, Hawaii. While we had been looking forward to this new adventure for months, the move itself was something that we were completely and utterly dreading. Not only does moving rank as one of the top 10 most stressful life events that one can experience, it also ranks high on the list of waste-generating activities. One study shows that 16.8 billion pounds of trash are sent to landfills each year as a result of moves in the United States alone. We were committed to doing our part by NOT contributing to this statistic. We did some major research prior to our move to ensure that we made our relocation as sustainable as possible, and now that the move is behind us, we’ve compiled our top five eco-friendly moving tips below.
1. Intentionally De-clutter
This step should ideally occur weeks prior to your move as you go through your closets and decide which of your items will be making the move with you. Consider hosting a yard sale, thrifting your gently-used items or selling them on social commerce sites like Poshmark or threadUP. What you can’t sell, swap, gift, or donate. Also, any clothing on that is it’s last leg can be used as packing materials or cut into rags. Bottom line – the earlier you start, the easier this entire process will be.
2. Re-Think Packing Materials
It is estimated that, in the U.S., 30 million rolls of tape and 90 million pounds of packing paper are consumed annually in the name of moving. And although packing paper is more sustainable than alternatives like Styrofoam peanuts or bubble wrap, even more eco-friendly options exist. For example, wrapping your breakables in blankets, sheets, curtains, towels, etc., puts you on track to achieving the ultimate goal of a zero waste move.
Single-use cardboard boxes are also a culprit of waste production. When planning what to pack your belongings in, challenge yourself to get a bit creative, especially if you are moving on your own without hiring a moving company. Think suitcases, plastic totes, and boxes that you have accumulated over time. We also asked friends who recently moved to reuse their old boxes, which worked out perfectly for us because we used these boxes for long-term storage. When these options are exhausted, renting reusable boxes or plastic crates, or picking up some used boxes from your local grocery store or U-haul are also good alternatives to purchasing boxes.
3. Be Conscious with Food Purchases & Disposal
Try to be creative with recipes in the days or even weeks leading up to your move. Only purchase what you know you will eat, and incorporate the food that you already have into your pre-move meals. Anything that you cannot take with you, you should gift or donate to a local food bank.
If you’re planning to live the take-out life, be sure to keep out a few reusable plates and utensils so you don’t fall into the single-use plastic trap, and follow these tips to further curb your carry-out footprint.
Another key is to give yourself plenty of time to clean out your refrigerator. Be sure to wash out old/opened containers to be recycled.
4. Reduce Fuel & CO2 Emissions
Reducing your trips between your new and old homes can significantly decrease your move’s carbon footprint. To do this, be sure to pack intentionally and consider renting a moving truck or trailer.
If you are planning to hire a moving company, research companies that employ sustainable practices (like fueling their trucks with bio-diesel and using 100% recycled/ biodegradable/reusable materials) that are available in your area. EkoMovers and Gentle Giant Moving Company are two great options.
5. Plan Ahead
When rushed, it is easy to trash items that could be repurposed/recycled/donated, or to default to wasteful moving practices of the past. Thus, planning ahead paired with allotting plenty of time to prepare are the keys to bringing your most sustainable move to fruition; an action that our planet will surely be thankful for.
