Moving is usually a tedious, time-consuming process. Aside from expending tremendous effort, it also generates a significant amount of waste—from several moving boxes to sheets of packing paper or bubble wrap. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can keep waste to a minimum. Below are four waste management tips to remember when packing for a move.

4 Waste Management Tips to Follow When Relocating 

1. Get Rid of Unwanted Stuff

Before packing up everything, take the time to go through your possessions and sort them out. Separate them into piles of what you’ll keep or toss out, paring down the number of items that you’ll take with you. Donate anything that can be useful to others, such as old clothes, books, furniture, and appliances. If you have the time, hold a garage sale or sell unused stuff online to earn extra cash.

2. Use What You Have for Packing

Rather than buying packing supplies like tapes, papers, foam peanuts, and bubble wrap, make use of what you already have. Towels, blankets, shirts, and anything else that’s soft can be used to wrap fragile items, such as dinnerware and glasses. And, if you no longer need some of them after the move, donate these to charities or animal shelters instead of throwing them out.  

3. Skip the Cardboard Boxes

Whenever possible, refrain from buying new cardboard boxes. Round up used shipping boxes ahead of packing day so you’ll have enough to store your items, then have these recycled with a waste management company or passed along to others who might need them. Another alternative is to rent a couple of sturdy, plastic moving crates for your bulkier items. You can also pack your possessions in suitcases and duffel bags and fill cabinets and drawers to save on boxes.  

4. Recycle

Moving doesn’t always have to be wasteful, especially with forethought. Identify items that can be taken to a recycling center, such as cardboard boxes, old newspaper, and used bubble wrap—these don’t have to go into your trash. If you have leftover packing supplies, these will come in handy when shipping out items.

As you pack for your move, reduce waste by bringing some of your stuff to the local recycling center, Freedom From Waste. Located in Farmington, MO, this waste management and recycling company provides garbage collection services and dumpster rentals to create a zero-waste community. Call (573) 747-0550 to schedule a trash pickup service or head over to their website to learn more about their services.