Cut the Carbon Footprint of Your Move in Half by Making These 10 Changes

Moving to a new home marks a new and exciting chapter in your life. However, it can also take a toll on the environment, from the mountains of cardboard and plastic wrap to wasted food and significant greenhouse gas emissions from multiple truck trips. 

The great news is that little changes throughout the process can significantly reduce your move’s carbon footprint. Enhance your moving efforts with these eco-friendly tips. 

1. Go Digital with Your Move Planning

In 2018, paper and cardboard materials accounted for the largest portion of municipal solid waste. Moving generates a ton of both as early as the planning stage. To reduce your paper trail while moving, use free digital tools, such as Trello, Asana and Google Sheets, to create and share your moving checklist with family members. 

Scan and upload lease agreements, mover contracts, personal records and other important documents to a secure cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox. This eliminates the need to keep multiple physical copies for backup.

2. Downsize Your Belongings Before You Pack

The fewer things you move, the more eco-friendly your move will be, as it means fewer boxes, less packing material, a smaller moving truck and less fuel consumed. Use the four-box method to declutter before packing. Go room by room and sort every item into boxes labeled “keep,” “sell or donate,” “recycle” and “dispose.” Be strict with your “keep” pile. 

Downsizing will help you start fresh in a new space with less physical and mental clutter. You can also earn money by selling valuable items. 

3. Strategically Eat Down Your Kitchen

Around 30% to 40% of America’s food supply is wasted, and you might contribute a lot to this figure if you don’t have a management plan. Consider these waste prevention tips for your move: 

• Start meal planning early: Inventory your pantry, fridge and freezer three weeks before your move. Then, plan your meals around using up what you already have. 
• Get creative with your food: Consider “kitchen sink” meal ideas like stir-fries, soups, frittatas and smoothies that are great for using up miscellaneous sauces, produce and frozen goods. 
• Donate the rest: A week before your move, gather all unopened, non-perishable items you won’t use and donate them to a local food bank. 

4. Prepare a “Zero-Waste” Welcome Kit

You and your family arrive at your new home, exhausted and surrounded by boxes. Decision fatigue may make it tempting to resort to using disposable plates, plastic water bottles and styrofoam takeout containers. 

To avoid the temptation, pack a “zero-waste” welcome kit that contains everything everyone needs to comfortably eat, clean and relax for the first day and night. Pack it in a distinct container, such as a clear plastic bin or a brightly colored bag, to set it apart from the rest of your belongings. Keep it separate from the moving truck to ensure it’ll arrive with you. 

Here are some essentials to add to your kit: 

• Personal items: A complete change of clothes, basic toiletries, one towel for each person, critical medications and phone chargers

• Kitchen necessities: A reusable water bottle, plate, bowl and cutlery set for each person, a small cutting board and sharp knife, a sponge and dish soap, and non-perishable food 

• Basic cleaning and setup supplies: Multi-purpose cleaning rags, towels, eco-friendly all-purpose cleaning spray, a box cutter and trash bags

5. Clean Sustainably Before and After

The “clean” smell from conventional cleaning products often includes harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The enclosed spaces of an empty home are among the worst places to use them, especially as common products contain a staggering 530 unique VOCs, 193 of which are hazardous. 

Instead of using harsh chemicals, clean with green alternatives to protect your health and the environment. Create an all-purpose cleaner by combining one part white vinegar with one part water in a reusable spray bottle. Use baking soda to scrub sinks, tubs and ovens. If you prefer store-bought options, look for products with the “Safer Choice” label to ensure they’re free of harsh chemicals. 

6. Move During Off-Peak Hours

To further cut emissions, consider staging your move through a nearby self storage facility so you can right-size to a smaller truck and make one consolidated trip. If you’re relocating in the Tacoma/Parkland area, climate-controlled, clean and secure units near 112th St E can be reserved online for short-term use; you can compare sizes, check availability, and find self storage here. Using a local unit to pre-pack non-essentials lets you move during off-peak hours with less cargo, reducing fuel, stress, and waste.

Transportation produces the largest amount of greenhouse gases in America, accounting for around 28% of the nation’s total emissions. While moving trucks always contribute to pollution, scheduling their services for off-peak hours can lessen your move’s carbon footprint. 

Idling in stop-and-go traffic burns fuel inefficiently, which releases unnecessary emissions. A moving truck stuck in rush hour has a much larger carbon footprint compared to one moving freely. Consider scheduling your move for the middle of the day, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., to avoid peak hours. Some moving companies also offer lower rates for mid-week, mid-day moves, adding a financial incentive to this eco-conscious strategy. 

7. Choose Your Mover or Vehicle Wisely

Your choice of mover has a huge impact on your carbon footprint, so be selective. Ask movers these questions to gauge their commitment to sustainable practices: 

• Do you offer reusable moving containers as part of your service? 
• Do you have moving schedules during off-peak hours? 
• What measures do you take to ensure fuel efficiency? 
• Do you use route optimization technologies? 
• What is your policy for consolidating shipments to ensure your trucks are always fully loaded during long-distance moves? 

Ask about their certifications as well. Some moving companies are certified by the EPA’s SmartWay program, which indicates their commitment to environmental performance and efficiency. 

8. Responsibly Manage Your Unpacking Waste

Manage moving day waste by creating less of it from the start. The mountain of plastic and styrofoam that appears during unpacking can be daunting. Why not reduce them by using padding materials that produce zero waste, like towels and shirts? Use soft fabrics to keep fragile items safe during transport.

Once you’re in your new home, set up an unpacking hub. Have dedicated spaces for dismantling storage units, saving packing materials and keeping trash. If you used cardboard boxes, use a box cutter to flatten them to make them more manageable and ready for recycling. 

9. Set Up Your New Home With Long-Term Habits

Ensure your green efforts extend beyond your move. To help you keep the momentum going and adopt a more sustainable lifestyle, consider this eco-friendly first week checklist: 

• Locate and shop from the nearest farmer’s market. 
• Learn the local recycling rules and schedule.
• Replace incandescent lights with LED bulbs. 
• Program your thermostat for energy saving.
• Identify utility shutoffs and check systems. 
• Create a sustainable cleaning kit. 

10. Offset Your Move’s Unavoidable Emissions

Carbon offsetting involves compensating for your emissions by engaging in activities that promote sustainability, such as joining a reforestation project. It’s tricky to offset what you don’t measure, so calculate your move’s footprint before joining green programs. Ensure your investment is making a real impact by participating in certified offset programs. 

Finalize Your Sustainable Moving Plan

An eco-friendly move involves a series of small, conscious choices at every stage, from digital planning to responsible unpacking. Think of your moving process as the first opportunity to set the tone of your new life. 

By moving with intention, you can build the foundation of a more thoughtful and sustainable home from day one.