{"id":309,"date":"2020-09-08T16:38:48","date_gmt":"2020-09-08T14:38:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zerowastethings.com\/?p=309"},"modified":"2021-04-21T14:46:43","modified_gmt":"2021-04-21T12:46:43","slug":"zero-waste-moving-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zerowastethings.com\/zero-waste-moving-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"20+ simple zero waste moving tips"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Following my recent international move (yay, we found our new home for the next couple of years:)), I am writing this post with my zero waste moving tips that worked very well for us. You might have to adopt some of these suggestions, depending on what is available in your region. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, moving, even if it’s just 2 blocks away is stressful and challenging. We all have our own ways of packing, sorting, and organizing and normally there is tons to do, with each person having different priorities. Double that when moving in a couple or a multi-member family. This was my 6th international move, so I was comfortable to add another layer, wanting to do a zero waste move. Read on to see how we did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moving tip nb.1: Make an inventory of all your possessions and what you want to move with you<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Assess: repair\/sell\/donate\/dispose of<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There is nothing like a long-distance move to make you assess your possessions, and the value\/hindrance they bring to your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is if just fluff, taking up space or something you love, use all the time, brings you satisfaction\/joy\/good memories?<\/strong><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Several years ago, I “Kon Mari-ed” our whole apartment about 6 months prior to a move. This was probably the best thing I have ever done to make moving week\/packing feel like a breeze.  A lot of the stress when packing comes from constantly making decisions about what to keep, donate, get rid of, plus the emotions of leaving… Decision fatigue is a real thing. Google it if you’ve never heard about it. We had less stuff to move, and everything was moving with us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The list of your possessions can be in your head only or written, however, you need to think of it in a unit of 3D, cubic meters, or cubic feet (or whatever measurement your moving company uses). This will tell you how many boxes you need plus how big of a truck you need to order. If you aren’t sure, a moving company will either contact you with more questions or send someone over to have a look. There is also a handy online calculator here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
2. Do you move everything or buy used\/new there?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Do you pack all your possessions, even when it could be very cheap to just buy new once you get there?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are merits to both options and it depends on the travel distance as well.

If you buy everything again, you will have less to move, less to pack, the movers will use less gas (and CO2) & be cheaper. But it will take time and resources to sell\/find\/rebuy\/to assemble in your new place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you take everything with you, the truck will have to be bigger and heavier (higher gas and CO2 consumption), will take you more time to pack and unpack… but… you will be set in your new apartment much faster. You can start “living” pretty much immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As far as eco-friendliness goes, re-using ( and\/or buying used), is the most ecological option<\/strong>. Companies use more resources (wood, plastic, metal, electricity, human labor ect.) to make new things, plus they need to be transported anyways (most often long distance from China).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We moved all of our furniture, including cheaper pieces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
*Extra consideration: check what type of apartments are more common in your new home country, furnished or unfurnished. In France for example, most apt. are unfurnished, including the kitchen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zero waste moving tip nb.3 : collect boxes & packing material<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We were lucky to have a bit of storage space with our apartment, so we kept some packing material from our previous move and started looking for additional moving boxes about 1 month prior to the move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where to get free moving supplies and boxes?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Depending on the country:<\/p>\n\n\n\n