Where have I been, you ask? Across America, and back, and across America again.
I crunched my entire moving-to-Seattle process into the space of a month. On March 2nd, I quit my job and flew to Seattle to find a place to live. On the 9th, I flew back and started packing. On the 17th, I loaded my belongings into a Penske truck and took the next four and a half days driving across the country. On the 20th, I arrived in Seattle and unloaded my things. And by the 31st, I was fully moved into my new home.
And that doesn’t even include the time spent with friends and family, the goodbyes and parties, the parting gifts and promises of visiting. It was an exhausting month.
I’m not even sorry I didn’t get a chance to write a blog. But now that I’m settled and have had a few weeks to breathe, I’ve felt the urge to spread the zero waste word once more. What better topic than a footnote on the epic moving experience I just had?
I’m sad to say that I did not reach my “mason jar of waste“ goals last month. Not even close. However, just thinking about the waste you’re creating will present opportunities to reduce as well as teach you how to change in the future.
Downsize, Downsize, Downsize
“Reduce” is one of the fundamentals of zero waste, but it’s easy to trick yourself into thinking that the things you own already are not “waste” per se.
Hilariously enough, I considered myself an almost-minimalist until the move. I knew I didn’t come close the hard-core minimalists that can pack all their belongings into a single carry-on, but I’d gotten rid of hundreds of items (at least 200, so yes, I mean “hundreds” plural) over the past couple years. I’d even gone so far as to plan a company-wide rummage sale at my old job because I couldn’t have one at my apartment. I thought I was doing great.
Then I started packing. I had to purge even more of my belongings just to fit them in the 15 foot moving truck. Here was my three step program:
- Try to sell it: I used the app “LetGo” but it only worked for really nice items, like a pristine antique sewing machine. I also sold some items to friends and family–for a discounted price, of course.
- Pass it on: When I got my first place, family members and friends gave me things, from a tea kettle to a television. If you know someone moving into their first place who could really use that television more than you, pass it on.
- Donate it: If no one you know wants your cast offs, maybe someone you don’t know will.
Take Care Of Your Stuff
That said, Goodwill doesn’t want your junk. This revelation was the biggest reason I didn’t make my zero waste goals in March. I had several large pieces of furniture that were too stained, graffitied, or beat up for a second hand shop to accept them. I had no choice but to break them down and throw them in the dumpster.
One of the ramifications of easily replaceable belongings is to treat them as temporary. As something I’d get rid of as soon as it was too worn out. Until moving, I would even do the bare minimum of cleaning and upkeep. This left me with a bunch of stuff no one wanted–leading to a pretty full garbage dumpster the day I left St. Louis.
I plan on preventing this in the future through more conscious consuming and by taking better care of my belongings. Clean it, repair it, don’t throw it around or leave it in a high-traffic area. Just be respectful of the time, energy, and money that goes into any one thing’s existence and you’re less likely to turn it into garbage.
Pack with Reusable Materials
I was taught to pack using cardboard boxes and lots of newspaper, but there are other ways to go about moving stuff from one space to another. The cheapest, most basic way is to use the items you already have.
This could be a container, like luggage or other storage, but I’ve also used larger assorted items like backpacks, purses, and laundry baskets. I also highly recommend using clothing and blankets to wrap breakables. Not only is this zero waste, but it you save boxes by combining your belongings. Just… please don’t use bubble wrap.
If you have the money, there are services that will let you rent giant Tupperware for moving. Not only did I not have the money, I didn’t have enough stuff to warrant renting a ton of boxes I would never use. I settled for breaking my zero waste pact and reusing a dozen and a half old office paper and girl scout cookie boxes.
Consider Shipping Your Stuff
Regardless of how you get from Point A to Point B, it’s going to be the least zero waste thing you’ve ever done. But there are ways to do it that are more eco-friendly than what I ultimately decided. Right before I headed out, I heard about shipping your belongings via freight. I don’t regret the awesome road trip I went on, but it’s something to consider in the future.
Eating on the Go
If you’ve been following the Zero Waste Bystander for any amount of time, you know food waste is probably the biggest thing to overcome.
- Before you start packing, do some meal planning. I definitely ended up ordering a pizza or two. If you’re saying goodbye to family or a group of friends, try to get them to make you a meal and eat it with them. Just think, “What would Jesus do?”
- Pack snacks for the road. I planned to pack snacks, but that plan was never executed. I just ran out of time. But even if you’re getting a few jars of trail mix, it saves you from picking up a plastic bag of chips at a gas station.
- Google Maps is your friend. If you need to take a break on the road, I highly recommend pulling into a small town and Googling places to eat nearby. We were pleasantly surprised by a bar and grill that looked sketchy on the outside, but was actually a nice and friendly place on the inside. Plus no fast food wrappers!
Give Yourself Time to Plan
Maybe don’t move in a month. You’re more likely to make mistakes, like overestimating the gas mileage on a 15 foot truck. For me, it came together all at once, making a quick move the smartest choice for me, but if you get the chance to plan it out you’ll be happier for it.
But who am I to say? Maybe if I hadn’t acted on impulse, I never would have made it to Seattle at all. Hindsight may be 20/20, but I’m still happy regardless of whatever “mistakes” I made.