Tips for Zero Waste Moving
And how to keep this life event a bit less stressful
You never realize how much stuff you have until it’s time to move it all! Moving is never easy (it’s in the top 5 of most stressful life events for a reason) but it offers the perfect opportunity to cleanse and start anew. Here are a few tips we live by to help you achieve a zero waste move:
Find the Keepers. The first part of any move is deciding what is coming with you and what you can let go of.
Organize the Rest. Make a list of everything that needs to go, and break it down into things you’re hoping to sell and items you’re looking to recycle or give away.
It Takes Time. Give yourself at least a month. In order to find the right buyer, organize your donations and research local specialty recycling centers (think eyeglasses, medical supplies, paint cans) you’ll want to start early.
It’s a Process. And it will evolve. We recommend labeling boxes with painter's tape, so you can change the labels as you go.
Better Boxes. Reusable bins are a great, secure, and trash-free way to move. Reused boxes can also work well, and are easily sourced from a grocery/liquor store or friends. Instead of bubble wrap, use household linens, towels, and sweaters for cushion.
Just because you don’t know what to do with something, doesn’t mean it has to go in the trash. There are tons of resources, especially in the Bay Area, for properly disposing of all sorts of household items.
I put together a handy list of my go-to resources for selling, freecycling, recycling, and upcycling so you can find every item a new home:
SF BAY AREA & LOCAL
SF Smiles: We LOVE this organization for so many reasons. Right now, they are looking for specific items so please be sure to read this through before contacting for donation. Chad, the founder, lists his hours for donation, which changes weekly and links to a google doc on his website. If you'd like to learn more about him and the organization, check out this interview we did with him in September.
Buy Nothing. This is one of our favorite resources to get in the practice of a gift economy! Using the free platform provided by Facebook Groups, you can quickly get rid of things that are cluttering your space or save money by getting things for free... all while building community. Start by finding your local group.
Post for a "no contact pickup" on Nextdoor, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, LetGo and other online platforms.
Check out this comprehensive list of Goodwill locations in San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin counties that are reopening along with their hours of operation!
NATIONAL
If you have a box and a printer, you can get a prepaid shipping label and send your things off to Give Back Box. Click here to get a label. Bonus: shipping is free!
Schoola is an amazing organization for donations. Fill a box with gently worn clothes, print a label and leave the box for the mail carrier. It’s that easy! They sort and sell your items for you and give 40% of the sales proceeds to your school or a partner cause.
If you’re stumped on where something should go, reply to me directly or in the comments. I love to find the needle in a haystack of who is looking for the thing that you have. Donating doesn’t have to be daunting. I’ve formed dozens of partnerships so don’t hesitate to reach out for more support and resources!
Thank you for being a part of Next Highest Good, where we explore ways to resist overconsumption and create change through zero waste living. By tapping the heart icon or hitting the restack button you help this movement grow and it makes me do a happy dance.