5 Ways to Make Your Next Move More Sustainable

10 October 2023

Moving often involves stacks of boxes, bubble wrap, plastic wrap, and many other items that typically end up in the trash bin, creating additional waste. However, with careful planning, packing, and moving homes doesn’t have to be a wasteful process. These five tips will help you make your move more sustainable.

What Is a Sustainable Move? A sustainable move, also known as a “green” move, is when you make choices during your moving process to give back to the community and prevent unnecessary waste from entering landfills. Sustainable moves differ from conventional moves in that:

  • The supplies you choose are made in ways that produce as little waste as possible and are often compostable, recyclable, and reusable.
  • Instead of throwing away unused or unloved possessions, you find ways to donate them to the community or recycle whenever possible.
  • Your moving company goes the extra mile to use sustainable practices like biodiesel for fuel and energy-conserving warehouses.

Now, let’s look at how you can make your upcoming move more sustainable

  1. Use Recyclable Moving Supplies

    All kinds of 100% recyclable packing materials are available to replace traditional packaging supplies and help keep neighbourhoods cleaner and greener. A few recyclable supplies include:

    • Boxes: The best thing about boxes is they can be reused time and time again. Stop by your local moving company to see if they have any used boxes for you to buy at a discount. Some moving companies will even give you a refund for returning your used boxes at the end of your move.
    • Packaging paper: Look for 100% recycled packaging paper or—better yet—reuse your own post-consumer recycled paper.
    • Moving wrap: Conventional cling wrap is made from plastic that is too thin to recycle. Instead, try out compostable cling wrap; it’s made from plants, making it biodegradable.
    • Bubble wrap: Yep, there is even biodegradable eco-bubble wrap—you can pop away guilt-free.
    • Packing peanuts: You can use biodegradable packing peanuts made from cornstarch or wheat instead of plastic peanuts.
    • Tape: Even your packaging tape can be made sustainably with recycled paper.

  2. Choose Your Moving Containers Wisely

    Plastic containers are a thing of the past. Some sustainable companies offer moving box rentals, which they deliver straight to your home. When you’ve completed your move, they pick up the sturdy plastic storage containers so that you don’t have to figure out what to do with all those extra containers around the house. The best part is that, for every storage container you rent, there’s one less piece of plastic or cardboard box gone to waste.

  3. Donate Lightly Used Items

    As you clear out your wardrobes, garage, and pantry ahead of your move, you’ll likely have a stack of your 10-year-old’s toddler clothing and all those cans of tuna and soup you bought before the last winter storm. But don’t toss those items in the rubbish. Here are a few ways you can donate:

    • Clothing and household items: Give back to your community by donating clothes and other knick knacks to your favourite local charity or thrift store.
    • Furniture: Charity shops like Colony 47 and some thrift shops will take donations of old furniture.
    • Canned and non-perishable goods: Local food banks, and charities are always looking for food to donate to those in need.

  4. Be Kind to Your Electronic

    You may no longer want your retro microwave, but that doesn’t mean you have to put it on the curb or throw it in a dump. To avoid wasting resources from your devices, recycle or donate your old electronics. Look for an authorised domestic e-waste recycler so that your unwanted computers, microwaves, phones, and other electronics are recycled under strict environmental laws rather than being shipped elsewhere.

  5. Hire a Moving Company with Sustainable Practices

    When you hire a moving company near you that uses sustainable moving practices, you’re making an active effort to support and encourage local businesses that care about their environmental impact. Here are a few questions to ask your moving company about sustainable moving practices:

    • Are the offices and warehouses designed to be energy efficient?
    • Do they use 100% recyclable materials?
    • Do they sell used boxes? Do they buy them back at the end of the move?