How Can You Make Moving and Storage More Eco-Friendly?

To make moving and storage more eco-friendly, start by moving less. Declutter before packing, reuse clean materials you already own, select appropriately sized boxes and containers and check local recycling or disposal rules when the move is complete.

Terms such as “recyclable,” “compostable” and “biodegradable” depend on the product and available local services. Read packaging instructions and confirm what your community accepts rather than assuming every material belongs in a recycling bin, compost pile or drain.

Lower-Waste Moving Tips at a Glance

Why Should You Declutter Before Moving?

The fewer belongings you move, the fewer boxes and trips you may need.

Before packing, divide items into categories:

• Keep and move
• Place in storage
• Donate
• Sell
• Recycle
• Dispose of according to local requirements

Avoid moving items simply because you have not decided what to do with them. Consider whether each belonging fits your next home, remains useful and is eligible for storage.

Do not place food, liquids, plants, hazardous materials, illegal goods, unsanitary belongings or items that cannot be replaced in a Public Storage unit.

Selling must take place away from the storage facility. Customers cannot invite buyers to the property or conduct sales from a storage unit.

What Packing Materials Can You Reuse?

Start with clean packing materials already available in your home.

Potentially reusable materials include:

• Sturdy cardboard boxes
• Plastic storage bins
• Suitcases
• Laundry baskets
• Clean towels
• Clean linens
• Pillowcases
• Reusable shopping bags
• Original product packaging
• Shipping boxes
• Paper saved from previous deliveries

Make sure every item is clean, dry and appropriate for what you are packing. Do not use fabric that contains moisture, food, grease, cleaning chemicals or other residue.

Avoid using towels or household linens around sharp, oily or dirty objects. Those items may need packing materials designed for their shape and surface.

Can You Reuse Cardboard Moving Boxes?

Yes, if the boxes remain sturdy, clean and dry.

Inspect every reused box for:

• Water stains
• Soft or weakened cardboard
• Tears
• Crushed corners
• Food residue
• Grease
• Odors
• Insects or other signs of pests
• Labels containing personal information

Do not use grocery or produce boxes that contain food residue, moisture or odors. Food and other perishables cannot be stored at Public Storage.

Remove or cover old shipping labels before the move. Reinforce the bottom with suitable tape, but do not rely on a damaged box simply because it has been used before.

Use smaller boxes for books, dishes and other dense items. Larger boxes are generally easier to handle when filled with lighter belongings such as pillows or linens.

Where Can You Find Reusable Boxes?

Possible sources include:

• Boxes saved from previous deliveries
• Friends, relatives or neighbors
• Workplace supply rooms, with permission
• Bookstores or office-supply businesses
• Community exchange groups
• Reusable moving-box rental companies

Ask about the boxes’ previous contents and inspect them before bringing them home. Avoid boxes that held food, chemicals, liquids or hazardous products.

When collecting boxes through an online marketplace or community group, meet in an appropriate public location and examine the boxes before accepting them.

How Can You Pack Dishes With Materials You Already Own?

Clean towels, dish towels and linens may be used to cushion eligible kitchenware.

To pack dishes:

1. Choose a sturdy box designed to support the weight.
2. Reinforce the bottom as needed.
3. Add clean cushioning material.
4. Wrap each plate or dish separately.
5. Position plates according to professional packing guidance, commonly on their edges rather than stacked flat.
6. Fill open spaces so items do not shift.
7. Avoid overpacking the box.
8. Label the container “Fragile” on multiple sides.

Do not pack food, cooking liquids or wet kitchenware. Make sure dishes and fabric cushioning are completely dry.

For antiques, belongings that cannot be replaced or items that would exceed the stored-value limit, choose another location rather than a storage unit.

Are Kraft Paper and Packing Paper Recyclable?

Clean kraft paper and uncoated packing paper may be recyclable where local programs accept them.

After unpacking:

• Flatten the paper.
• Remove excessive tape.
• Keep it clean and dry.
• Reuse suitable sheets first.
• Check local recycling rules.
• Place only accepted materials in the recycling bin.

Paper contaminated with food, grease, chemicals or excessive adhesive may not be accepted.

Printed newspaper can be reused for some packing tasks, but ink may transfer to dishes, fabrics and finished surfaces. Plain, unprinted packing paper may be a better choice for those items.

Is Paper Tape Better Than Plastic Tape?

Paper-based tape may reduce the amount of plastic used during a move, but it must still be appropriate for the box and contents.

Before choosing tape, check:

• Its weight rating
• Whether it adheres to the box material
• Whether it contains reinforcement fibers
• The manufacturer’s disposal instructions
• Local recycling requirements

Not every paper-labeled tape is recyclable with cardboard. Some products contain plastic reinforcement, coatings or adhesives that local programs do not accept.

Use only the amount needed to close the box properly.

What Should You Know About Plant-Based Packing Peanuts?

Some plant-based packing peanuts are designed to dissolve or break down differently from traditional foam products. However, ingredients and disposal instructions vary.

Before using them:

• Read the product label.
• Confirm that they are appropriate for the item.
• Check the manufacturer’s disposal directions.
• Review local waste or composting rules.
• Keep them dry during use.
• Do not place them in a drain unless both the manufacturer and local authority permit it.

Do not assume that every plant-based product is recyclable, compostable or suitable for long-term storage.

For items remaining in storage, clean paper cushioning or reusable fabric may be more practical when appropriate.

Are Reusable Plastic Bins an Eco-Friendly Choice?

Reusable plastic bins may reduce repeated purchases when they are used for many moves or storage cycles. However, buying new plastic containers still requires materials and manufacturing.

Before purchasing new bins:

• Reuse containers you already own.
• Consider how often the bins will be used.
• Choose sizes that work for multiple purposes.
• Check whether replacement lids are available.
• Avoid buying more containers than you need.
• Select durable bins that can be stacked according to their instructions.

Clear bins make contents easier to identify, while detailed labels can serve the same purpose on opaque containers.

Do not overfill bins or exceed their stacking limits.

Should You Rent Reusable Moving Crates?

Reusable crate rentals may be worth considering when the service is available in your area. These companies generally deliver crates before the move and collect them afterward.

Ask the provider:

• How the crates are cleaned between uses
• What sizes are available
• How long the rental lasts
• Whether pickup and delivery are included
• What happens if the move is delayed
• Whether the crates can be used in a storage unit
• What fees apply for damaged or late crates

Compare the rental period with your storage timeline. Reusable crates may be less practical if belongings will remain packed for an extended period.

How Do You Choose a Mover With Lower-Waste Practices?

Instead of relying on a general “eco-friendly mover” description, ask about specific business practices.

Questions may include:

• Do you rent reusable moving crates?
• Do you reuse or recycle packing materials?
• Can you combine delivery or pickup trips?
• What type of vehicles do you operate?
• Do you offer used boxes?
• How do you handle unwanted furniture?
• Will you remove packing materials after delivery?
• Which environmental claims can you document?

Confirm licensing, insurance, pricing and service terms in addition to environmental practices.

Can Planning Reduce the Number of Moving Trips?

A detailed inventory and loading plan may help reduce unnecessary trips.

Before moving day:

• Measure large furniture.
• Confirm what fits in the new home.
• Reserve an appropriately sized vehicle.
• Pack similar items together.
• Label boxes by destination.
• Plan the loading order.
• Confirm the route and storage access hours.
• Keep daily essentials separate.

Never overload a vehicle or block the driver’s visibility. Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s weight limits and the rental company’s instructions.

Choosing a storage facility near your home, destination or regular route may also reduce unnecessary driving. Compare actual locations rather than selecting a facility based only on city or ZIP code.

How Can You Choose the Right Storage Unit Size?

A unit that matches your inventory can reduce unused space.

Before renting:

1. List everything you plan to store.
2. Measure furniture and large containers.
3. Count boxes and bins.
4. Identify items that can be disassembled.
5. Include freestanding shelving if needed.
6. Allow space for a walkway.
7. Consider how often you will retrieve belongings.

Use the Public Storage Size Guide to compare common options. Actual unit sizes and layouts may vary, so inspect the available unit when possible.

How Should You Organize Materials for Future Reuse?

Set aside clean packing materials that can be used again.

• Flatten cardboard boxes.
• Bundle boxes by size.
• Keep reusable paper clean and dry.
• Fold furniture covers and linens.
• Match bins with their lids.
• Label packing-supply containers.
• Store tape dispensers and dry tools together.
• Remove labels containing personal information.
• Recycle materials that are no longer usable.

Do not store food, liquids, cleaning chemicals or wet packing materials.

A digital inventory may also help you remember which supplies you already own before purchasing more.

Does Public Storage Have Sustainability Initiatives?

Some Public Storage facilities have one or more initiatives such as LED lighting, efficient HVAC systems, solar power generation, high-R-value insulation or water-related practices.

Features vary by property. Review the individual location page and available sustainability information rather than assuming the same features are present at every facility.

Learn more about Public Storage solar and sustainability initiatives.

What Should You Do With Packing Materials After the Move?

Sort materials as you unpack.

Reuse

Save clean, sturdy boxes, bins, paper and fabric that you expect to use again.

Share

Offer usable boxes or packing materials to friends, neighbors or community exchange groups.

Recycle

Flatten accepted cardboard and keep recyclable materials clean and dry. Follow local collection rules.

Dispose

Discard contaminated or unusable materials according to local requirements. Do not leave unwanted packing materials at the storage facility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most eco-friendly way to pack for a move?

Start by moving fewer items and reusing clean materials you already own. No single packing product is automatically the most environmentally responsible choice in every situation.

Can towels and linens replace bubble wrap?

Clean, dry towels and linens may cushion some belongings. They may not be suitable for sharp, dirty or unusually fragile items.

Can used moving boxes go into a storage unit?

Yes, if they are clean, dry, sturdy and free of food residue, odors and signs of pests.

Are cardboard boxes recyclable?

Clean, dry cardboard is accepted by many recycling programs, but local rules vary. Flatten boxes and confirm what your community accepts.

Are biodegradable packing peanuts recyclable?

Not necessarily. “Biodegradable,” “compostable” and “recyclable” describe different disposal processes. Follow the product instructions and local rules.

Should plant-based packing peanuts be dissolved in water?

Only if the manufacturer’s directions and local wastewater requirements permit it. Do not automatically place them in a sink or drain.

Are reusable plastic bins better than cardboard?

It depends on how often they will be reused, what you are storing and which materials you already own. Reusing an existing container generally avoids purchasing another one.

What items cannot go into storage?

Public Storage prohibits hazardous, illegal, perishable, unsanitary and living items, including food and liquids. Do not store money, jewelry, cremains, sensitive documents, belongings that cannot be replaced or property exceeding the permitted stored-value limit.

Plan a Lower-Waste Move

A lower-waste move begins before the first box is packed. Declutter, reuse suitable materials, select containers carefully and verify disposal claims rather than relying on broad environmental labels.

Public Storage serves more than 2 million customers at more than 4,600 facilities across 42 states. Find Public Storage near you and compare available locations, unit sizes and property features before renting.