(This article was originally published in Real Money, Summer 2005.)

So you’re moving! Congratulations. You’ve probably put some thought into the environmental qualities of the location you’re moving to, and are looking forward to making your new house or apartment energy-efficient and stocked with sustainable furnishings. But in between there’s a resource-intensive hassle called moving, which, if you’re like many of us, doesn’t get nearly as much thought as the end product. However, with a little preparation, moving doesn’t have to be a wasteful means to an end.

Boxes

First and foremost, there are boxes. Although corrguated cardboard is made with high recycled content and recycles well, it’s even better to reuse. In fact, cardboard boxes are one of the ultimate reusable items—the question is how to find some when you need them. First, turn to friends, family, coworkers, local e-mail lists, neighborhood associations, etc. to find people who have recently moved or are planning to move a few weeks before you are. Someone who has moved recently will likely be quite happy to have you take their piles off boxes their hands.

Second, look up your local “Freecycle” list. Freecycle is entirely about offering things for free—no barter or selling allowed. People do post offers of boxes there, but also consider submitting a “wanted” post. Freecyclers who haven’t yet gotten around to posting their pile of boxes or who haven’t realized someone would want them could provide you with a treasure trove. (Also check out Yahoo Groups for similar lists that are not affiliated with Freecycle, often under names like "Freestuff.")

Third, turn to your local businesses. Liquor stores go through tons of medium-sized, very sturdy boxes, perfect for something heavy, such as books. You can ask liquor stores to set some boxes aside for you, or you can just find out the recycling days in different areas around you and swing by soon after the boxes been set out to the curb or dumpster.

For big boxes, computer stores and office-supply stores are a better source. Most of these stores, however, are in big-box complexes or malls, and not likely to be setting those beautiful boxes to a curb. Instead, ask around among the floor staff to find the person responsible for getting rid of them. More than likely, it bothers that person to see the boxes going to waste (one prominent chain that I once got boxes from actually shredded them!), and they’ll be happy to set some aside for you. To keep that person from getting in trouble, show up exactly when they ask you to pick up the boxes—they may only have a short window of time before the boxes have to be gone.

Tape

Packing tape is the one packing item that can’t be reused. It is perhaps the smallest volume of moving material, not highly toxic, and doesn’t prevent cardboard recycling, as it is easily removed. However, it is nonetheless a plastic product, using up fossil fuels and creating pollution as it is made. To make your boxes completely recyclable or even compostable, choose a paper-backed tape (it will be a little more expensive as it needs twine reinforcing). If you do go with plastic, avoid vinyl- or PVC-backed tapes: They are particularly toxic to produce and will release toxins if incinerated. Choose polypropylene instead.

Packing Material

You’re already in possession of the most environmental packing choice for your move. It’s filling your closets, your drawers, your linen cabinets. Yes, clothes, towels, sheets, tablecloths, stuffed animals, etc. make wonderful packing material. One tall pile of plates, for example, can be well cushioned by one bath towel folded back and forth between each plate. Bulkier clothing items can also be mixed with heavy stuff, especially if your box collection tends toward the large side, to keep boxes to a carryable weight.

All but the most delicate fabrics shouldn’t be harmed by being used in this way. (Within reason. Clearly don’t wrap candles in your favorite shirt for an August move.) And you’d be surprised how much you can afford to have packed up for a few weeks—special-occasion wear, off-season clothing, guest towels. As you get closer to your move, more frequently used items can be packed in the boxes you are going to be unpacking first. If you plan it right, you won’t need any boxes for clothes—just a few suitcases for stuff to wear the week of the move and make the beds when you move in.

For more fragile items, or if you have a high percentage of delicate clothes, crumpled paper is also surprisingly effective. Though newspaper is commonly used for this, heavier office-type paper can actually work better. It compacts less quickly (though it is therefore also a little more work to crumple) and doesn’t get ink everywhere. Don’t put out your paper recycling for a few weeks or grab a boxful from the recycling bin at your job, and you will be good to go.

If you have very fragile things that you only want to entrust to products designed to cushion them, this is another good time to turn to Freecycle and post a request. Packing peanuts and bubble wrap are just the sorts of things people hate to throw out.

Finally, if you need to buy specialized packing products, go for corn-starch peanuts that can be composted or dissolved in the bathtub. If you cannot find them at a local shipping supply store, you can mail-order them from Chateau Products (look under “packing supplies”).You can also mail order bubble wrap made with 30 percent recycled plastic from Green Earth Office Supply.

Making the Trip

If you’re hiring movers, you don’t have much choice about the kind of truck they use. However, if you are moving a long distance and have some time flexibility, ask your moving company about provisions where you share space in one large moving truck with others moving to roughly the same area of the country, which cuts down on the number of long-distance truck trips. It is not advertised directly by the large moving companies, but your local mover will know about it.

If you are moving yourself, and it is not a very long-distance move, you have some more options. If you have a moderate amount of stuff and a friend with a pickup truck or large van, you might want to consider borrowing their vehicle (or renting a pickup for that matter) over renting a moving truck. Depending on the specific vehicles, a pickup could be up to 8 times as fuel efficient as the moving truck, though more likely in the 3 to 5 times range. (U-Haul and Budget estimate their trucks get anywhere from 3 to 12 mpg. Pickups range from 11 to 24 mpg.) A gas-powered vehicle will also be less polluting per gallon of fuel than a deisel-powered rental truck. If you can get an efficient pickup, and will only make two to five times as many trips with the smaller vehicle, it could be a net environmental gain.

If you have some energy and a sense of adventure, there’s also moving by bicycle. Yes, you read right. Bikes at Work makes bicycle trailers capable of hauling things as large as a refrigerator or a couch, and they have stories, with pictures, on their Web site of people completing in-town moves using just bicycles with trailers, all in a single day.

Unpacking

Whew! You’re almost done. Just remember to complete the cycle by passing your reusable boxes and packing material (except for your clothes, that is) on to someone else. Good luck in your new home!