So you finally did it—you bought your first home! After all the house hunting, paperwork, and stress of becoming a first-time buyer, now comes the move itself. And if you’re anything like me, you want to do it without creating a mountain of trash or spending money you don’t have.
Here’s the reality: moving is wasteful. The average move generates about 60 pounds of waste, mostly from cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, and packing materials that get used once and tossed. But it doesn’t have to be that way. You can move sustainably without breaking your budget—I promise.
Rethink Your Boxes
Let’s start with the biggest waste culprit: cardboard boxes. Yes, you can buy brand new ones from moving supply stores for $2-5 each. But why would you when free alternatives are everywhere?
Hit up your local grocery stores, liquor stores, or bookshops. They’re constantly breaking down boxes and will happily give them to you. I got probably 80% of my boxes this way. Just ask when they do their restocking—usually early morning or late afternoon.
Another option? Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or local Buy Nothing groups. People who just moved are desperate to get rid of boxes. I’ve seen entire moving kits offered for free or $20-30 total. After your move, you can pass them along to someone else.
Or go reusable. Plastic bins aren’t sexy, but hear me out. If you’re planning to stay in your home for a while, those bins become storage. I bought 10 large bins for about $60 total, used them for moving, and now they live in my garage holding seasonal decorations and tools. Zero waste, and I’ll never need to buy storage containers.
Skip the Bubble Wrap
Bubble wrap is satisfying to pop but terrible for the planet—and expensive. A roll costs $15-25 and you’ll need several. Skip it entirely.
Instead, use what you already have:
- Towels and linens wrap dishes, glasses, and fragile items perfectly
- Socks are great for wine glasses and small breakables
- T-shirts and sweaters cushion everything else
- Newspapers (if you still get them) work for padding boxes
Not only is this free, but you’re also packing items you need to move anyway. Two birds, one stone.
For super fragile stuff, consider renting reusable dish packs or asking your movers if they provide them. Some eco-conscious moving companies offer this as an option.
The Packing Tape Dilemma
Most packing tape is plastic-based and not recyclable. Paper tape exists, but it’s pricier and doesn’t stick as well (trust me, I learned this the hard way).
My compromise? Use the minimum amount of regular tape necessary on boxes, then repurpose or recycle those boxes after. For bins with lids, you don’t need tape at all.
Some people swear by water-activated paper tape. It’s sturdier than regular paper tape, fully recyclable, and biodegradable. A dispenser plus tape will run you about $25-35, but if you’re moving a lot of boxes, it might be worth it.
Furniture and Large Items
Here’s where things get tricky. You need to protect your furniture, but those giant rolls of plastic stretch wrap? Not great environmentally.
Option one: Rent or borrow moving blankets. Many truck rental companies include them, or you can rent them separately for $10-20 total. After the move, return them. Zero waste.
Option two: Use your own blankets and comforters. Secure them with reusable moving straps or even old belts. It looks janky but it works.
For couch and mattress covers, consider reusable fabric ones instead of plastic. They cost more upfront ($20-40 each) but last forever. Or check if anyone in your area is lending them out—some Buy Nothing groups have communal moving supplies.
Hauling Everything: DIY or Hire Help?
This is the big question, right? Renting a truck and doing it yourself seems cheaper and lets you control the eco-friendly aspects. But there’s more to consider.
I tried the DIY route for my first move. Rented a U-Haul for $150, bought gas (another $60), and convinced friends to help with pizza and beer ($40). Total: $250, plus I threw out my back and lost two friendships (kidding… mostly).
Next time, I hired professionals. Companies like Mario Moving Company actually ended up being more efficient. Professional movers know how to pack trucks strategically, reducing trips and fuel consumption. They bring reusable equipment. And they’re insured, so if something breaks, you’re covered.
The cost was higher upfront—around $400-600 for my two-bedroom apartment—but when I factored in the rental truck, gas, time off work, and chiropractor visits, it basically evened out. Plus, some moving companies now offer eco-friendly options or use biofuel trucks.
If you’re in a coastal area with parking challenges like beach cities, hiring locals who know the area helps too. Manhattan Beach movers deal with permit requirements and tight spaces daily—they’ll get it done faster with less waste than you fumbling around.
Declutter Before You Pack
The most eco-friendly move? Not moving stuff you don’t need.
I know, it’s obvious. But seriously—go through everything before you pack. That bread maker you haven’t used in two years? Donate it. Clothes that don’t fit? Pass them along. Old electronics gathering dust? Recycle them properly.
For every item you don’t move, you’re saving:
- Packing materials
- Space in the truck (potentially fewer trips)
- Fuel for transporting it
- Time unpacking and finding storage in your new place
I donated six bags of stuff before my last move and honestly didn’t miss any of it. Plus, charitable donations are tax-deductible if you itemize.
Setting Up Your New Home Sustainably
Once you’re in your new place, you’ve got a fresh start. This is the perfect time to set up sustainable home care practices from day one.
Energy efficiency first:
- Replace old lightbulbs with LEDs (costs about $1-2 per bulb, saves money long-term)
- Install a programmable thermostat if the home doesn’t have one ($30-50)
- Check weather stripping around doors and windows
- Locate your circuit breaker and learn what controls what
Water conservation:
- Install low-flow showerheads ($15-25, saves thousands of gallons annually)
- Fix any leaky faucets immediately
- Consider aerators for sink faucets ($5-10 each)
Waste reduction:
- Set up recycling and composting systems right away
- Skip buying disposable items like paper towels; invest in reusable cloths
- Start a small herb garden with kitchen scraps
None of this is expensive. I spent maybe $150 total on these upgrades and started seeing lower utility bills within the first month.
The Cleaning Question
Your new home probably needs cleaning before you move in. Skip the harsh chemical cleaners—they’re expensive and terrible for indoor air quality.
Make your own:
- All-purpose cleaner: Equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle ($3 total, lasts months)
- Glass cleaner: One part vinegar to four parts water
- Scrub paste: Baking soda and a little water
These work just as well as commercial cleaners, cost pennies, and won’t off-gas chemicals in your new home. Plus, you can use those spray bottles forever.
Don’t Stress Perfection
Look, I’m not going to pretend I did everything perfectly eco-friendly when I moved. I used some plastic tape. I probably could have decluttered more. I definitely ate way too much takeout during the move week instead of cooking.
The point isn’t perfection. It’s making better choices where you can without adding massive stress to an already stressful process.
Every reusable box is better than a new one. Every item you donate instead of trash is progress. Every friend you convince to borrow your moving bins for their move multiplies the impact.
Real Talk on Costs
Let’s break down what my “eco-friendly on a budget” move actually cost:
- Boxes (free from stores): $0
- 10 reusable bins: $60
- Packing tape: $15
- Moving blanket rental: $15
- Professional movers: $550
- Cleaning supplies (vinegar, baking soda): $5
- Post-move efficiency upgrades: $150
Total: $795
Compare that to a “typical” move with all new supplies, multiple truck rentals from making mistakes, and replacing broken items from poor packing? Easily $1,000+.
Was it more work to source free boxes and use towels instead of bubble wrap? Yeah, a little. But I felt good about it. And honestly, the extra hour of gathering boxes saved me way more time than I spent shopping for supplies.
Final Thoughts
Moving into your first home is exciting and overwhelming and expensive. But it doesn’t have to destroy your budget or trash the planet in the process.
Start early, get creative with materials, make decisions that align with your values, and don’t beat yourself up over the small stuff. You’re already doing something huge by thinking about the environmental impact of your move.
Welcome home. Now go set up those energy-efficient lightbulbs.