Leading a low-waste lifestyle can be a challenge, especially when you plan a move. The moving industry is known for generating a lot of trash, but there’s good news on the horizon: movers are putting more effort into eco-friendly solutions, and there are several sustainable moving trends that can help you plan a zero-waste move.
Environmentally-friendly moving solutions not only help out the planet. Many of the packing materials and moving methods can save you money. In other words, your green move can keep some green in your pocket. Read on to learn about this year’s wallet- and eco-friendly trends.
A Minimalist Approach to Moving
Let’s be honest: a lot of us simply have too much stuff that we just don’t use—or in some cases, even want. One of the most important sustainable moving trends in 2026 is adopting a minimalist mindset when you move. This involves decluttering your home before you even begin packing, so you only bring the items that you need and want to your new home.
The minimalist approach starts with going through your closets, drawers, and cabinets. You’ll need to empty and clean them before your move anyway, so you might as well comb through the contents to see what you can get rid of.
Some items will have to be thrown into the garbage (for example, the dried-out pens from your junk drawer and the years-old, dust-covered pair of flipflops with a paper-thin sole you found in the corner of your closet). However, other clothing, décor, and miscellaneous household supplies can be donated to local charities, given to your family and friends, or sold online or at a yard sale.
Pretty obviously, the more stuff you pack and move, the more your packing materials and moving labor will cost. The minimalist approach to moving reduces the amount of items you’re taking to your new home, so you can save some major cash.
Reusable Moving Supplies
Single-use moving supplies like cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, and tape have been losing popularity over the past decade or so, and reusable materials are toward the top of this year’s sustainable moving trends.
You’ll find reusable materials all around your home. Pack your items into suitcases, duffle bags, storage bins, and even garbage cans (after you clean them out, of course). These solutions are all reusable and free.
Once you run out of space, don’t start searching for wasteful cardboard boxes. Instead, rent some reusable plastic moving bins. They’re affordable, convenient, and eco-friendly—plus, they save a ton of space, so they’re ideal for apartment and condo moves.
Upcycled Moving Materials
Upcycling is one of the hottest sustainable moving trends of the year. You can use materials you’d throw away, recycle, or pack anyway as packing supplies.
That stack of old paperwork that’s been cluttering up your office can be turned into effective padding if you crumple it up or shred it and use it to protect the delicate items when you box them up. And don’t just toss your wrinkled-up rolls of gift wrap in the trash! You can use it as packing paper for your plates, bowls, glasses, and other breakables.
It might be tempting to use soft clothing, towels, and blankets to wrap and pack fragile items. However, you’ll need to resist the urge. If a delicate item breaks or shatters during your move, the upcycled packing materials might have shards stuck in the fabric, and you’ll need to throw them away.
Compostable, Biodegradable, and Water-Soluble Packing Materials
Remember when packing supplies were almost entirely made of single-use plastics and cardboard? Fortunately, those days are gone, and they’ve been replaced by one of the newer sustainable moving trends: compostable, biodegradable, and water-soluble plant-based packing solutions.
Here are a few options to consider for your zero-waste move:
- Boxes that contain biodegradable, recycled fibers
- Seaweed-based box dividers that imitate cardboard
- Packing peanuts made from corn starch
- Foam produced using mushroom fibers
Most of these green packing materials are nontoxic. However, if you have curious kids or pets at home, be sure to keep them out of reach just in case.
Digital Solutions Throughout Your Move
This year’s sustainable moving trends aren’t only about the methods and materials you use. The trends also include your moving company’s eco-friendly efforts.
Before you order green moving supplies or book your relocation, ask your movers what they do to help the planet. In particular, try to find a company that uses emails and digital signatures rather than paper copies when they provide their estimate. Their on-site moving crew should also be equipped with tablets instead of hard copies that you have to sign to approve any material add-ons and the final bill at the end of your move.
Put simply, your moving company should be as up-to-date as you are on sustainable moving trends!
Keep Up With the Year’s Sustainable Moving Trends by Renting Sturdy Plastic Moving Totes
We’ve been staying ahead of sustainable moving trends for years. Our rentable plastic moving totes are eco-friendly, sturdy, clean, convenient, and oftentimes, less expensive than traditional cardboard and tape. We even offer recyclable packing paper and rental wardrobe boxes to help you have a zero-waste move.
Place your order now, or drop us a line to chat about our ready-to-go packages, a la carte solutions, or just to gush about how much you love Mother Earth!