The Complete Guide to Eco-Friendly Moving in LA
Moving generates significant waste—cardboard boxes, plastic wrap, packing materials—much of which ends up in landfills. Eco-conscious LA residents can dramatically reduce this impact with sustainable moving practices.
Green Moving supports California's environment by donating 1% of every move to local environmental causes.
Environmental Impact of Moving
Understanding the problem helps motivate solutions.
Average household move generates:
- 60+ cardboard boxes
- 10+ rolls of plastic wrap
- Pounds of packing paper and bubble wrap
- Vehicle emissions from moving trucks
Most of this material gets used once and discarded. Sustainable alternatives exist for every element.
Sustainable Packing Materials
Reduce waste with better material choices.
Recycled and reusable boxes: Several LA companies rent plastic moving bins. These durable containers replace cardboard, get returned after your move, and reuse thousands of times. Rent reusable plastic bins for $3-5 each/week.
Free box sources: Source free used boxes from liquor stores, grocery stores, NextDoor, and Buy Nothing groups. Purchase recycled cardboard boxes if needed.
Packing material alternatives:
- Newspapers and magazines (for non-fragile items)
- Clothing and linens as padding
- Biodegradable packing peanuts
- Recycled packing paper
- Reusable fabric wrap
Eliminating plastic wrap: Moving blankets (rent from moving companies), reusable stretch bands, fabric furniture covers, and old sheets/towels all replace plastic wrap effectively.
Decluttering Responsibly
The most eco-friendly item is one you don't move. Decluttering reduces truck trips, fuel consumption, and packing materials needed.
Donation options in Los Angeles:
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore (furniture, building materials)
- Goodwill and Salvation Army (general items)
- Out of the Closet (clothing, proceeds fund AIDS healthcare)
- LA Food Bank (non-perishable food items)
- Animal shelters (towels, blankets, pet supplies)
Electronics recycling:
- Best Buy (accepts most electronics free)
- LA County e-waste events (scheduled throughout year)
- Manufacturer take-back programs
Textile recycling:
- H&M (accepts any brand clothing)
- Patagonia Worn Wear
- Textile recycling bins throughout LA
Choosing Green Moving Companies
What makes a moving company environmentally responsible:
- Fuel-efficient or hybrid vehicle fleet
- Reusable packing materials provided
- Carbon offset programs
- Recycling and donation partnerships
- Environmental certifications
Questions to ask:
- What sustainable practices do you follow?
- Do you offer reusable packing alternatives?
- What happens to packing materials after moves?
- Do you participate in carbon offset programs?
Carbon Offset Options
Calculate and offset your move's carbon footprint.
Offset providers: Carbonfund.org, TerraPass, Native Energy, and Gold Standard certified programs all offer reliable carbon offsets.
Typical costs: Average household move generates 1-2 tons of CO2. Offset costs run $15-30.
After the Move
Responsible disposal of moving materials:
- Break down and recycle all cardboard
- Return reusable bins to rental company
- Donate usable packing materials to neighbors moving
- Properly dispose of any hazardous materials
Avoid the landfill:
- Post free packing supplies on NextDoor
- Many moving companies accept returned materials
- Cardboard recycling is curbside in most LA neighborhoods
Key Takeaways
- Rent reusable plastic bins instead of buying cardboard
- Use clothing, linens, and blankets as packing material
- Donate or recycle items instead of trashing
- Choose moving companies with sustainable practices
- Offset your move's carbon footprint for $15-30
Choose Green Moving for eco-conscious relocation. 1% of every move supports California environmental causes. Call (213) 829-4795 for your free quote.
