8 Tips to Reduce Waste During a Move

Moving Tips to Avoid Waste

Moving can be a difficult task if you don’t take time to plan and organize beforehand, and this also applies to the environmental impact of moving. Typical supplies like cardboard boxes, packing peanuts, bubble wrap, pallets, stretch film and tape all add up to a sizeable amount of waste.

Here are some tips to help you reduce waste during your move.

Planning for Your Move

Start Saving Boxes Now
Make your Amazon Prime account work for you. Instead of throwing out boxes from online shopping orders, save them for your move. Plus, it gives you an extra excuse to make that purchase you’ve been putting off.

Find a Moving Company That Has Reusable Boxes and Containers
Some companies are moving away from cardboard boxes, and replacing them with reusable plastic containers that you return to them after you’ve unpacked your belongings. Research the movers in your area, and if you can’t find information online, call to see what they offer.

Declutter
Before you pack up your belongings to move, take time to declutter so you only pack the items you really want to keep. Doing this before moving day will help ensure that you can donate items to Goodwill or Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore, instead of leaving them at the curb.

Take Inventory
This goes hand and hand with decluttering, but take a general inventory of everything you have before a move. You might realize you have a couple duplicate items that have been hiding in the basement.

How to Pack for a Move

Packing Efficiently
Pack objects inside of other items. This will not only cut down on the number of boxes and storage containers you will need to use, but can also help you stay organized and keep like-items together.

Here are a few of our favorite ideas:

• Pack spices or small kitchen items inside of a crock pot or roasting pan. 
• Use suitcases to move heavy items such as books, as their weight can sometimes break cardboard boxes. 
• Place small decorations in decorative baskets.
• Fill laundry baskets with cleaning supplies, this also makes them easily accessible once you arrive at your new home.

Use Other Items as Packing Material
Instead of purchasing bubble wrap to protect valuables, wrap plates, glassware and trays in newspaper and pad the box or container with towels and bedsheets. 

 

Have a Simple and Efficient Moving Day

Label Your Boxes
Avoid searching for things to make sure you’ve packed them in the correct box. Use a labeling system to avoid sealing and re-sealing boxes, which ends up wasting tape. 

Cut Down on Driving
If you are opting to avoid a moving company and are renting a truck for your move, cut down on the amount of fuel needed for the move. Staying organized, and using our packing tips above, will allow you to only make one trip to your new home. 

Hiring movers? Some moving companies have ‘green trucks’ that are powered by biodiesel, ethanol or compressed natural gas. 

Recycle Everything You Can

After you’ve done the hard work of packing, moving and unpacking, don’t throw everything you used to move into the garbage can. Cardboard boxes can be recycled, in addition to the newspaper you used as packing material for your dishes. 

Enjoy Your New Home

With this list to help you along the way, you’re sure to have an efficient and eco-friendly move. The key is all in the planning, let us know which tips you are going to use in the comments below!