Moving is a great opportunity to start fresh. However, with sustainability at the top of many minimalists’ minds, the process may be a daunting experience.
These five tricks for incorporating green actions when moving will help you start anew while reducing your carbon footprint and maintaining your sustainable and minimalist lifestyle.
1. Prepare With a Zero-Waste Mindset
Before you start your move, it’s important to have a plan. A zero-waste mindset will help guide your decisions and determine what to bring and pack effectively. It can also help you decide what to keep, get rid of and recycle.
Consider your clothes. Moving presents a chance to revamp your wardrobe and remove old pieces that you’ve outgrown. However, in America, roughly 85% of clothing gets thrown away and left in landfills, so make a plan for items you no longer need or want to keep to minimize waste wherever possible.
A more sustainable approach includes donating what you don’t wear to thrift stores, clothing drives, family members or friends. You can also upcycle old clothing by turning materials into dish towels or blankets.
2. Declutter With Intention
Decluttering before packing is useful for taking stock of what you have and plan to pack, as well as reducing the load you have to move. Generally, the fewer things you move, the lower the cost of moving will be. There are a few different methods to approach decluttering:
- One-year rule: The idea of this rule is that if you haven’t used an item in one year and won’t use it a year from now, it’s not worth keeping. While there are exceptions, it’s a simple framework to follow.
- Room by room: Declutter one room at a time to break the process into more doable pieces. Once one room is done, you can move to the next.
- Categories: Break up decluttering with categories like appliances, electronics or hygiene to focus on one type of item. This can help you take inventory of how much you have and determine excess.
The size of your current household can influence how you declutter, and you should also think about the size of your next home. If you’re moving to a smaller place, you might want to follow stricter rules to help you downsize. Minimize waste and opt for donations and opportunities to recycle.
3. Pack Resourcefully
Many cardboard moving boxes are considered single-use items. Corporations like U-Haul offer take-a-box-leave-a-box services to encourage reuse. Recycling facilities and moving companies may also provide some.
While cardboard is a recyclable material, you can also use alternatives like moving box rental services, where you can return the boxes once you’ve used them. Plastic reusable ones may be sturdier and last for more moves.
The most sustainable practice, though, is to use materials you already own. Pack clothes in suitcases and bags, and use shirts and towels to pad breakable items. Furniture like ottomans and wardrobes can be filled with miscellaneous items for the move and unpacked later, as long as they don’t become too heavy to carry.
4. Hire Green Moving Companies
If you need a moving company, consider those committed to sustainable practices. Some may use biofuel trucks, reduce waste or recycle packaging materials.
Packing light can also significantly reduce a moving truck’s gas usage. For example, an extra 100 kilograms of weight can require 5%-9% more gas in light-duty vehicles like moving vans. Research brands or trucks that consume less and uphold sustainable values. By packing lighter and smarter, you can help offset the carbon emissions and gas consumption.
5. Strategize Moving Logistics
The final days before the move are tricky and can be challenging to plan for, especially when maintaining sustainability. Once everything else is packed and ready to go, make sure to keep these aspects on your radar:
- Meal prep to reduce food waste: Plan to use or donate everything in your pantry and fridge. Use those leftovers to make a new dish for company, donate cans or compost scraps in a local garden.
- Cleaning with green products: Look for eco labels on cleaning products to avoid releasing harmful chemicals. Use products that are biodegradable, free from volatile organic compounds and made from renewable sources.
A Fresh, Sustainable Start
Moving offers a unique opportunity to reduce personal items and integrate sustainability into your daily life. By setting a zero-waste intention, using your resources intentionally and planning accordingly, your move can kick-start a new level of minimalism and eco-friendliness.
