Blog

A typical move generates a surprising amount of waste — dozens of cardboard boxes, rolls of plastic tape, and piles of packing material headed straight for the trash. If you’d rather move without the guilt, good news: eco-friendly moving is easy and often cheaper. Here’s how to plan a greener, lower-waste move in Astoria with tips from Astoria Queens Movers.

Use Reusable Moving Boxes

Instead of buying (and tossing) dozens of cardboard boxes, consider reusable moving boxes — sturdy plastic bins you rent for a couple of weeks and return when you’re done. They stack neatly, don’t collapse in the rain, and create zero cardboard waste. For a busy NYC move, they’re often faster to pack and unpack, too.

Pack With What You Already Own

Your home is full of free, reusable packing materials. Before you buy anything, use:

• Suitcases and duffel bags for heavy items like books.
• Towels, linens, and blankets to wrap fragile dishes and glassware.
• Laundry baskets, hampers, and drawers as ready-made containers.
• Socks and t-shirts to cushion glasses and stemware.

Choose Greener Packing Materials

• Recycled packing paper instead of plastic bubble wrap.
• Biodegradable packing peanuts that dissolve in water.
• Paper tape in place of plastic tape where possible.
• Old newspaper for non-porous items (keep ink away from white surfaces).

Declutter and Donate — Don’t Dump

The greenest move is a lighter move. Before packing, sort what you no longer need and donate, sell, or give it away rather than throwing it out. Clothing, furniture, and housewares can find a second home through local charities and buy-nothing groups across Queens. You’ll move less and keep usable goods out of the landfill.

Recycle Everything at the End

Once you’re unpacked, break down any cardboard for recycling, return your rented bins, and pass along clean packing paper to someone else who’s moving. Many boxes can be reused several times before they’re recycled.