13 Incredibly Clever Eco-Friendly Moving Tips To Save Money And Stay Organized

If you are getting ready to move, these eco-friendly moving tips are guaranteed to help you save money on moving costs, minimize harm to the planet, and keep you organized for a stress-free moving process! 

I have made countless moves in my life and it is wild how much packing boxes cost and how much waste they create. Worst of all is when you get to your new home and can’t find what you need. 

Follow the simple moving tips in this post to knock out all three issues at once and spend more time enjoying your new home! 

This post is all about the best eco-friendly moving tips and hacks.

Moving Hacks Overview 

Before we dive into the specifics of eco-friendly moving tips, here are some general things to keep in mind for a seamless moving process. 

• Make a moving checklist to include things like: hiring movers, paying rent, updating address, setting up utilities etc. 
• Declutter your belongings before packing up 
• Pack room by room to stay organized and label everything  
• Keep a detailed inventory list of your moving boxes and what is in each one. This can be done digitally to save paper (; 
• Don’t waste money on packing materials and boxes, just use what you have. 
• Pack valuables separately and have a bag of your first-night items. 

The Best Eco-Friendly Moving Tips

1. Rent reusable eco-friendly boxes (or buy them if you move often)

This was a recent find for me but companies are starting to rent out boxes (yes they are plastic) in order to help people move more efficiently.

I don’t know if their main intention is to be eco-friendly or just to offer a convenient service but it works for both purposes!

Instead of buying new boxes every time you have to move you can rent these durable boxes for the duration of your move and then return them! This reduces waste in the landfill and in your home. 

2. Use suitcases, duffle bags, tote bags etc. to move items 

Spend no extra money on packing supplies by using what you already own! Suitcases and duffle bags make the perfect moving containers. 

This tip may seem like common sense but it can be easy to forget and simply pack these things in cardboard boxes. Before buying or renting any packing materials, use what you have! 

3. Before you plan to move, save packing materials

Once you decide you are going to move, begin to create a stash of packing materials.

Here are a few ideas of things you can save to use as a protective buffer when packing:

• newspaper
• old rags, towels, cloths (perfect for fragile items)
• packaging from online orders
• wrapping paper from gifts

There really is no need to go out and buy all new materials that will be thrown away directly after use. Again, this tip is a major money saver too! 

4. Ask friends for extra secondhand packing materials

Kind of going off the previous tip, include your friends in the prep work.

See if they will hold onto boxes from online shopping or gift wrap from gifts. This will help expedite your stash of packing materials so you are ready for your move! It also gives new life to materials they would most likely be throwing out too. 

5. Mindfully declutter your home in the months before you move 

Before you start packing things up, consider donating or selling items that you don’t get a lot of use out of. Don’t move clutter to your new home! You will be SO grateful for not having to move as much stuff and for not feeling overwhelmed with stuff in your new place.

Minimalism has grown in popularity and the concept goes hand in hand with living more sustainably. After de-cluttering, be mindful of not going back to old ways and over-shopping.

You can also tailor minimalism to what works for your lifestyle. You can have all your fun cute and quirky trinkets, just be mindful that they don’t end up in the landfill in a couple of years. 

Questions to help you declutter while moving

• Do I own multiple of these items?
• Do I use this item regularly?
• Is this my style or was is just trendy for that time?
• Will someone get better use out of this than I am?
• Am I holding onto this for nostalgic reasons or do I really use this?
• Am I keeping this for someone else? 
• Is this item worth the space it takes up?
• Does this item bring me joy or serve a purpose in my current lifestyle?
• Is this item broken or damaged? Can I upcycle it or is it time to recycle/trash it?
• Am I keeping this item out of guilt or obligation? 
• Would I buy this item again today?

It can be so easy to throw things in the trash when you are in a decluttering spree but make sure to dispose of it properly by donating it, selling it (and making some extra cash!) or gifting it to a friend. 

6. Opt for eco-friendly cleaning supplies as you clean out your old home & prepare your new one

I don’t know about you but I have to clean every inch of the new space that I move into.

We have a few posts on sustainable cleaning tips that I will link below. Most of all, it’s important to be mindful of the harmful toxins in cleaning products that can harm our health, animals, and the environment. 

A super easy and cheap cleaning solution that works on almost all surfaces is a spray bottle, water, and castile soap. Super clever, I know! 

Sometimes keeping it simple is better than a bunch of random cleaning supplies that take up space and use harsh ingredients. 

{RECOMMENDED POST: 9 Powerful Zero Waste Cleaning Products We Are Obsessed With}

7. Rent a moving truck to reduce the number of trips in your car

Instead of making a zillion trips in your own car and wasting gas, consider renting a larger truck (or an eco-friendly moving company) to move your stuff!

Not only will this be better for the environment by reducing emissions but it hopefully will reduce some of the stress of moving by minimizing trips back and forth.

There are some eco-friendly moving companies that are popping up but they are not widespread in the moving industry, unfortunately. When looking for a green moving company that is working to lower its environmental impact, look for eco-friendly practices like this: 

• Use biodegradable packing peanuts (they don’t use traditional packing materials like plastic bubble wrap!) 
• Use reusable boxes rather than new cardboard boxes
• Pay their professional movers a livable wage 
• Working to lower greenhouse gas emissions with hybrid-powered vehicles or electric vehicles 
• Companies that donate to environmental conservation

8. Sell items & research charities to donate to

Once you have decluttered and found items that can be loved again, consider selling them for extra cash or donating them to a reputable charity.

That way, you know for sure the items are going to a home where they will be used, rather than to a large shop that may have to throw out its overstock. The last stop should be a goodwill run. 

Places to sell unwanted items: 

• Garage sale
• Thrift store (some take donations but more curated ones might do buy backs) 
• Facebook marketplace
• Online marketplaces & thrift stores (learn more about them here)

9. Repurpose furniture for your new space rather than throwing it out and buying new

Moving into a new space can feel like turning over a new leaf and sometimes taking on a new identity. You may feel compelled to have an “out with the old, in with the new mentality”.

Instead, you can always just enhance the items you already own with a bit of creativity. Some paint and some new knobs can go a long way when updating furniture. 

10. Dispose of unwanted items responsibly 

You never know what random stuff you may find while tearing apart your home. No judgment. Just make sure it is disposed of properly when possible. 

• Food can be composted
• Recycle when possible
• Many grocery stores have drop offs for small tech items. 
• Sell/donate items that still have life in them

Don’t be too hard on yourself. Not everything can avoid the landfill. But as you slowly pack up your life to build a new one, consider giving new life to your unwanted items as well. 

11. Choose a moving labeling system that works best for you

Some people like to color code their labels while others use a number system. To reduce waste, use the back of misprinted papers and packing tape to label each of your boxes. 

Be sure to put labels on the top and sides so when you stack them you can see the labels clearly! 

{RECOMMENDED POST: 7 Sustainable Home Decor Ideas Guaranteed To Make Your Home The Coziest Oasis} 

12. Make sure to have an essentials box for moving 

Don’t forget this step! Be sure to have a box of all the basics that you can grab when you get to your new spot.

You don’t want to be digging through all of your boxes to find your toothbrush. A simple backpack or suit case with yours and your family’s’ essentials will do the trick! 

13. Keep furniture hardware together and organized 

Repurpose plastic bags or use reusable silicone bags to store the hardware of furniture.

It can be a nightmare if all your screws and bolts get disorganized. You can tape the bag to the back of the furniture or write on your reusable bags to label which piece of furniture the hardware belongs to.

13. Moving tips for clothes 

Ensure your clothes are freshly laundered before packing them away! Trapped dirt or moisture can ruin your clothes.

If you are carrying them in suitcases try to roll them rather than fold them to keep them wrinkle-free and to save space. 

Lastly, use trash bags around groups of clothes on hangers. Tie the loops of the trash bag around the hangers. This keeps your clothes safe in the move! You can reuse the trash bags in your new home.

I hope these tips help you to have a more eco-friendly move! Whether you rent reusable plastic bins or use storage containers you already own, there are plenty of budget-friendly ways to stay organized and have a stress-free moving experience. 

Have any eco-friendly tips for moving? Let us know in the comments below! I’m sure others in the community would love to learn from you as well as they work to lower their carbon footprint.

Be sure to sign up for the newsletter if you would like sustainability and wellness tips sent directly to your inbox! 

Stay well, 

Maggie 

This post was all about the best eco-friendly moving tips.

Other posts you may like: 

11 Genius Zero Waste Kitchen Organization Tips For a Peaceful Home

5 Genius Hacks for Zero Waste Cleaning (My Favorite Products and Routine!)

5 Important Things I Don’t Buy Any More Thanks to the Zero Waste Lifestyle (Saves Money Too!)

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