{"id":8013,"date":"2021-09-07T09:00:43","date_gmt":"2021-09-07T16:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/?p=8013"},"modified":"2025-11-20T16:37:05","modified_gmt":"2025-11-20T23:37:05","slug":"moving-sustainably","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/moving-sustainably\/","title":{"rendered":"Moving Sustainably: The Ultimate Guide to Eco-Friendly Moving"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There are a lot of things that make moving difficult: The stress, the packing, and the expenses, just to name a few. But one big downside to moving that isn’t discussed quite as often is its environmental impact. Moving sustainably is just beginning to become part of the conversation, despite the moving industry’s history of being less than green.<\/p>\n

From vehicle emissions to landfill waste from packing supplies<\/a> and discarded possessions, the average move has the potential to create a lot of environmental harm. But it doesn’t have to. With some new knowledge, careful planning, and the right tools, anyone can make their move more sustainable. Read on to learn how.<\/p>\n

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Jump to…<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sustainability Pain Points in the Moving Industry<\/a><\/p>\n

Transportation Emissions<\/a><\/p>\n

Landfill Waste<\/a><\/p>\n

Non-Green Cleaning Supplies<\/a><\/p>\n

Moving Sustainably: 8 Steps for an Eco-Friendly Move<\/a><\/p>\n

After Your Move: Making Your New Home Green<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy Used Furniture and goods<\/a><\/p>\n

Embrace a More Minimalist Lifestyle<\/a><\/p>\n

Use Eco-Friendly Decor<\/a><\/p>\n

Invest in Energy-Efficient Appliances<\/a><\/p>\n

Go Paperless<\/a><\/p>\n

Embrace Eco-Friendly New Habits<\/a><\/p>\n

Help Make More Moves Eco-Friendly with Neighbor<\/a><\/p>\n

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Sustainability Pain Points in the Moving Industry<\/h2>\n

Historically, there are a number of ways the moving industry has negatively impacted the environment.<\/p>\n

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Transportation emissions<\/h3>\n

One of the biggest downsides to moving is that it’s virtually impossible to do so without creating carbon emissions, sometimes in significant amounts. Transportation accounts for around 30% of total greenhouse gas emissions in industrialized countries, according to the Institute of Transportation Studies<\/a> at the University of California, Davis.<\/p>\n

In the U.S., every gallon of gas burned by a vehicle is responsible for about 24 pounds of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The process of extracting, refining, and delivering fuel creates about 5 pounds per gallon, but the other 19 pounds per gallon are created when the fuel is used by a vehicle.<\/p>\n

\"Transportation<\/p>\n

When moving, it’s nearly impossible to eliminate carbon emissions. You have to transport your belongings, and carbon-free transportation, like walking or cycling, is not a practical way to move boxes or furniture. Some ways to help reduce the carbon emissions from moving transportation include:<\/p>\n