Hey earth muffins! As many of you know, I am currently in the process of moving across the state. My boyfriend and I are (finally) moving in together! π I will officially be moving out of my Ann Arbor apartment this weekend, so this week has been full of packing. All of this moving excitement has inspired me, so I wanted to write a post today all about how you can have an eco-friendly move. This fits perfectly with the spirit of Plastic Free July!
Tips for Staying Green When Packing
The number one thing I would recommend is to use boxes you already have. I was lucky enough to have a lot of extra closet space in my current apartment (as well as a storage bin in the basement of the complex); when I moved in last summer, I just kept all of the boxes! If you end up collecting more things throughout the year, I suggest saving the boxes from anything you get in the mail. You can also ask family and friends to save some boxes for you!
If you have to buy extra boxes or other packing materials, try to buy those that can be recycled. Many cardboard boxes can easily be recyled, but plastic tapes and bubble wrap are difficult to recycle. I suggest avoiding all plastic altogether – utilize clothing and linens you need to pack anyway to cushion fragile items! Not only is it more eco-friendly but it also saves space in your packing. π In terms of tape, there are actually paper tapes you can buy instead of the plastic ones. I personally don’t even use tape to close my boxes, but I would definitely check out the paper options!
As you pack, declutter!! When will you be going through everything you own again in the near future? It is the perfect opportunity to minimalize and downsize your possessions. But, make sure the items you don’t want anymore are reused in some way: sell them on Facebook Marketplace, donate to your local thrift store, or give to those who need them in your community.
How to Stay Eco-Friendly During the Actual Move
Make sure you take EVERYTHING with you from your old place! It is a common practice in a college town like Ann Arbor for students to just leave everything (even furniture) and buy new at the next place. This is, obviously, terrible for the planet. π Even if something is a hassle to move, still take it with you! Because you own it, you are responsible for its lifecycle. This also goes for little things: clean your shower rings, save your wall decals, keep the nails you remove from the walls, etc. These will have a use in your new place! π
Lastly, try to reduce your trips going back and forth to the new place. Because I am literally moving across the whole state, I hired movers to ensure I would only have to move once. Not only do I drive a tiny Kia Soul, but I will be lugging a queen mattress too – so movers were a must! Taking trips back and forth might seem more budget friendly, but I encourage you to borrow a friend’s van or something to reduce the trips you take!
Wish me luck on the move this weekend, I can’t wait to update you all on my new place. π What do you do to reduce waste when you are moving?
Love,
Jenna β₯
These suggestions are wonderful. Especially about trying to make less back and forth trips. That is such a great idea.
Thank you for these tips! I recently moved and tried to be eco-friendly about it, using the linens I already had as cushioning was a BIG win.
I also was able to get boxes from friends who had extras and packing materials from local businesses. I had a few broken electronics and found a local e-waste recycling program that will dispose of them in a safe way.
While I brought a trunk-load of items to a local thrift store, I also listed several items on a community “buy nothing” page (on Facebook). That was a FANTASTIC experience as nearly all the items I listed found new homes where they were wanted (I love a thrift store, but we know that those items don’t always find a new home).
Items that I listed (and people wanted) included: a huge collection of food containers (like, sour cream containers, etc.), a collection of used candle wax, a partially-used package of tea bags, etc. etc.
I recently found my local “buy nothing” site and it is definitely a game changer! Such an awesome way to reallocate resources in the community. π
Jenna β₯