Decide what you need

The less you move, the less you pack — that’s the best moving advice you’ll get on how to reduce waste while packing. Because the less you pack, the less waste you create. So don’t skip the inventory part. Walk through your place and write down what’s worth taking. Be honest. That chipped mug from college doesn’t need to follow you to your new apartment.

Give away what you don’t want. Sell it. Drop it off at a donation center. If you lighten the load before the boxes even come out, you’ll cut your waste by half right from the start.

Use what you’ve already got

You don’t need to buy a hundred boxes and ten rolls of tape. Look around. Suitcases, backpacks, laundry bins, and even grocery totes all hold stuff just fine. Wrap dishes in t-shirts. Cushion glassware with socks. It’s not fancy, but it works. You’ll save money and avoid using throwaway materials.

Honestly, wrapping plates in your bath towels feels weird at first, but after doing it once, you’ll wonder why anyone uses bubble wrap at all.

Ask around before buying anything

There’s almost always someone nearby who has just moved and is dying to get rid of boxes. Check Facebook groups or your building’s hallway. I once got all the boxes I needed from a neighbor I hadn’t even met before. She was thrilled to hand them over.

Reuse is the name of the game. If the boxes are too beat-up, use them for padding. You can also rent sturdy plastic bins if you want to go on the zero-cardboard route.

Don’t over-pack just to get it done

It’s tempting to throw everything into random boxes and seal them up fast. But doing that usually means more wasted space and more supplies used. Instead, pack smart. Stack things by shape and size. Fill small gaps with soft stuff like scarves or pillowcases.

This is also one of the easier ways to keep things organized for unpacking. You won’t need as many boxes, and you’ll avoid the nightmare of dealing with mystery containers later.

Be strategic with the labels

Skip the fancy stickers. Use a permanent marker to label directly on the boxes. It’s quicker, cheaper, and easier to recycle later. Color-coded tape? You’ll survive without it.

Group similar items together, label clearly, and number your boxes if you want to get extra organized. That way, you don’t tear through six boxes looking for your toothbrush on your first night in the new place.

Consider ways to get rid of the waste

No matter how careful you are, some trash is unavoidable. What matters is what you do with it afterward. Boxes, packing paper, and bubble wrap can all be reused or recycled. Just don’t toss it all into a black bag out of frustration.

If you’re unsure about how to handle it all, don’t worry — there are plenty of ways to dispose of moving boxes. You can always give them to other people who are moving soon, or donate them to a local school. Heck, there are bound to be some local small businesses that need cardboard boxes, too.

Say no to plastic

Skip the shrink wrap. Ditch the plastic sealing tape. Paper tape works just as well, and you can toss the whole box into recycling without stripping anything off. Those little choices add up.

You’ll also avoid having sticky plastic strands getting caught in your hair or stuck to your hands while you’re trying to wrap furniture in a hurry. Plastic’s annoying. Avoid it when you can.

Keep bags in the loop

Those grocery bags you’ve been hoarding under the sink? Time to shine during your packing mission. They’re perfect for wrapping shoes, gathering cords, or packing up small kitchen tools. They’re not the best long-term solution, but for this short trip, they’re gold.

You can also reuse mailers and plastic shipping bags from online orders. They hold up well for a second or third round. Just don’t use them for fragile stuff unless you double-wrap.

Learn to love mismatched packing

Don’t worry about everything looking neat. Matching box sizes and brand-new tape rolls are a trap. Use whatever works. One time, I packed all my books into a giant IKEA bag and tossed it into the car: zero cardboard, zero tape, zero complaints.

Trying to keep things too perfect often leads to more purchases and more trash. Be practical, not pretty.

Donate or reuse your extras

If you have leftover supplies when you’re done, pass them on. Leave a stack of boxes in your building lobby with a “free” sign. Drop them off at a recycling center. Give your packing paper to someone else who’s moving.

One move’s leftovers are another move’s lifesavers.

The middle of the move matters most

Here's where most of the mess happens. Half-packed rooms, piles of loose items, and a million things that don’t fit neatly into boxes. This is where you want to double down on how to reduce waste while packing.

Use pillowcases as bags. Wrap up awkward items in clothing. Group similar shapes together so you’re not reaching for random fillers. It’s not glamorous, but it’s efficient. And efficiency equals less trash.

Another tip while you're knee-deep in chaos: keep a “no trash” bin nearby. Put anything reusable in there instead of tossing it. Future-you will be glad you didn’t throw away your good tote bags by accident.

Try, even if it’s not perfect

Okay, realistically speaking, you won’t manage to move without creating any waste. Some of your materials are bound to go in the trash. But you’re not looking for perfection here. The goal is to see how to reduce waste while packing, not eliminate it. And if you take some time and put some care into the process, you’re bound to reduce the amount of stuff that just goes into a landfill!

And if you need any help with the clean-up after the move, billy.com can help you find cleaning professionals to handle the mess for you!