How to Minimize Your Moving Waste for a More Sustainable Life
Coping with the emotional baggage (and actual garbage) of relocating
by Guest Contributor: Meg Chellew
This article was contributed by a member of our beloved Sustainable Baddie community. Sustainable Baddie exists in part to share perspectives outside of our own and to present a rich array of diverse voices. The opinions presented are those of the guest contributor and do not necessarily reflect or represent Sustainable Baddie’s voice, tone, and point of view.
Everyone has their own moving horror stories. During my last move, I broke one of my favorite vintage lamps, leading to anger and frustration over my carelessness and failure to pack things effectively. I swore never to relocate again, though I knew that wouldn’t last long. With rising rents and inflation costs, moving has become all too frequent a reality for many of us.
I have solo-moved fairly often in my life. In total, I’ve held nine different addresses in six different U.S. cities. While upgrading our lives and spaces and experiencing new places can be sources of renewal, we also navigate challenges, frustrations, and complex relationships/emotions with each rehoming decision. Some of us resort to changing our external circumstances to solve internal problems by (quite literally) running away from them! The promise of newness, growth, and a fresh start can feel exciting for risk-takers who, like me, are always in motion. With each move, I have learned a lot about myself and my stuff.
One unfortunate, non-negotiable fact of moving is the waste we create. Packing every single item into disposable boxes for (short-term) fossil-fueled transit is the definition of wasteful. I’ve wrestled with some of my stuff being destined for a landfill. I’ve felt regret and relief about keeping and giving up my stuff. The truth is that it takes time and energy to commit to rehoming and recycling things properly. During my latest move, I sadly realized I had donated a favorite cashmere sweater by accident. On the other hand, I was pleasantly surprised to rediscover some useful kitchenware and a beautiful silk blouse I thought was lost during the packing process. Moving unleashes a rollercoaster of emotions; Being kind to myself (especially after making mistakes) makes it easier to minimize the environmental impact of my move.
We are all custodians of our possessions, consciously or not. It’s easy to disregard this reality when our ‘things’ fade into the background of day-to-day life. Being a steward of your stuff (and how you discard it) becomes especially difficult during a move. There is no magic bullet for certain unsustainable moving missteps, especially for those of us with limited time and resources. I confess to purchasing plastic bubble wrap (after my broken lamp fiasco) as well as plastic tape. I recycled boxes instead of saving them to quell my abhorrence of clutter. I drove my car back and forth between apartments several times when I discovered my rented UHaul was too small. In the final days of my lease, frantic cleaning yielded garbage bags full of trash. Despite my concerted effort, I was surprised by the stickiness of my guilt, thinking about what I could have done differently.
What my spirit truly needs is forgiveness for wasteful, imperfect moves in the past so that I can get back to making more sustainable choices. I plan to start rehoming items much earlier, instead of storing them out of sight. I want to try renting reusable containers and bubble wrap alternatives next time. Instead of relying on takeout mid-move, I aspire to create unique homemade meals with my loved ones from the odds and ends in my pantry. I strive to put even more of my time, effort, and finances toward a less impactful and more successful transition next time around. Every little bit of effort counts, but more is more! Here is some of what I have learned from my many moves: good luck out there, SBs 🙂
Tips For Moving More Sustainably
Before You Start Packing:
Recycle home goods and electronics you no longer want.
E-Waste Recyclers: Call2Recycle, TIA, E-Cycling Central, TerraCycle, and Recycle Nation
Check your Buy Nothing group, Craigslist, or NextDoor for moving tools and resources, or post items to give away. Always be cautious with internet exchanges and consider bringing a friend along to drop off or pick up stuff!
Donate as *locally* as possible to ensure items get into the hands of community members who need them (avoid ‘Big Box’ thrift stores)
Look at a US National Thrift Store Directory or Yelp, or search for nearby religious/hospice institutions that may have associated thrift shops.
Host a clothing/home goods swap if you can, adding some fun and levity to the process (as well as minimizing clutter)—Bonus points for catering with fridge leftovers!
Decide if a storage unit is worth your investment – Bonus points for sharing with friends to maximize space and savings.
Some self-storage options to consider, if located near you: UHaul, Public Storage, Extra Space Storage, and CubeSmart.
Boxing Up Your Stuff:
Use worn fabric, textiles, blankets, and clothes to wrap fragile pieces (carefully!)
You can also rent moving blankets and other equipment from companies like UHaul or Home Depot.
Use suitcases, storage boxes, hampers, and any containers you already have for packing.
Old newspapers can be a good substitute for plastic bubble wrap, or consider alternatives to plastic wrap like: honeycomb craft paper, molded paper pulp (think egg cartons), biodegradable packing peanuts, or greenwrap.
Consider purchasing biodegradable tape options or twine (where applicable) over plastic.
Consider renting reusable moving boxes (like Redi-Box in Chicago or ZippoGo in the Bay Area, or a U Haul near you).
Look into local suppliers for secondhand boxes or check out websites like Used Cardboard Boxes, UHaul Customer Box Exchange, Freecycle, NextDoor, Offerup, and Craigslist, or ask around at nearby stores.
Ask your friends and family for help – call on your community when you need it!
Other Logistics:
Plan your meals carefully in the last few weeks before the big transition - consider a funky leftovers-type potluck dinner party with friends! Otherwise, plan to donate non-perishables to local food banks.
If you plan on relocating by motor vehicle, renting a U-Haul conserves more fuel than multiple car trips.
For interstate or international moves, consider USPS postage for specific items (for example, it's cost-effective to mail books) or a Pod freight for ‘going the distance.’
Be kind to yourself during this difficult transition :)
Meg Chellew (she/they) Meg is a writer, stylist, and lifelong thrifter (@megwearswhatnow) who currently works as a Project Manager in Pittsburgh. As someone who loves sustainability and fashion, Meg relishes any opportunity to bring those two passions together. Meg also dabbles in event planning (@pghsocialhealth), sewing, DnD, and tarot, and enjoys long walks in the local cemetery.