Eco-Friendly Moving: How to Move Without the Waste

A single household move can generate a shocking pile of waste — flattened cardboard, rolls of tape, bubble wrap, foam, and bags of stuff headed to the curb. The good news is that a greener move is also usually an easier and cheaper one. Here's how to move without the waste.

Swap cardboard for reusable totes

This is the biggest single change you can make. Cardboard boxes are used once and tossed — trees cut, boxes manufactured, then recycled or landfilled after one trip. A reusable tote does the same job hundreds of times across hundreds of moves. No tape, no flattening, no recycling run. Renting totes means the containers go right back into circulation instead of into the bin.

Pack with what you already own

• Use towels, blankets, and clothing to cushion fragile items instead of buying bubble wrap.
• Suitcases, laundry baskets, and bins you already have make great extra containers.
• Skip single-use packing peanuts — paper and soft goods do the job.

Declutter the responsible way

Moving is the perfect moment to lighten the load — just keep it out of the landfill:

• Donate usable furniture, clothes, and housewares to local charities.
• Sell or give away online to neighbors who'll actually use it.
• Recycle electronics and batteries properly rather than trashing them.

Cut the moving-day footprint

• Load fewer, fuller trips to save fuel — a dolly helps you carry more each time.
• Use refillable water bottles for your helpers instead of cases of plastic ones.
• Recycle or pass along any packing materials you do end up using.

Greener and easier at the same time

Here's the best part: the eco-friendly choices are also the convenient ones. Reusable totes mean less to buy, less to clean up, and less to throw away — we deliver them and pick them back up, so they live to move another family. Reserve your totes and see exactly why totes beat cardboard.