How Much Waste Does Moving Create?
An estimated 15 million American families move every year. That’s over 31 million people in total packing up boxes, cleaning out refrigerators, and throwing away all their unwanted junk. All of this moving requires a ton of resources and generates a lot of waste, but just how much?
Spoiler alert: Americans use a massive amount of resources every year to move.
Planning on moving and want to do it sustainably? See our eco-friendly moving guide.
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Why trust us?
Since 2015, moveBuddha has helped thousands of people plan smoother, less stressful moves. Our founder, Ryan Carrigan, worked in both local moving crews and national moving sales before launching moveBuddha to bring transparency to a confusing industry.
Today, our advice is backed by deep industry experience, ongoing research, and real stories from people who’ve moved, shared through our Better Moves Project.
How much moving waste do Americans create each year?
Moving is resource-heavy. These figures put your own move in perspective and highlight where small changes can make a big difference.
- 900 million cardboard boxes: Americans use an estimated 900 million boxes annually for moves. That averages roughly 60 boxes per household and represents a major opportunity to reuse, resell, or recycle.
- 8.4 million tons of junk: Each year, about 16.8 billion pounds of unwanted items get tossed during moves. Decluttering before you pack can slash disposal costs and keep usable items in circulation.
- 345,000 tons of food waste: Much of this is still edible pantry and freezer food left behind. Planning meals and donating unopened items can keep perfectly good food out of landfills.
- 353 million gallons of fuel: Local and long-distance moves burn a lot of fuel. Consolidating trips and choosing right-sized trucks or containers reduces emissions and costs.
- 90 million pounds of packing paper: Protective paper adds up fast. Reusing linens and towels as padding can reduce paper use and simplify recycling on the back end.
- 30 million rolls of tape: Tape is often not recyclable when left on cardboard in large amounts. Using paper-based tape and removing excess strips makes it easier to keep boxes in the recycling stream.
Planning a move and want to shrink your footprint fast? Start with our eco-friendly moving guide and our free moving boxes list.
Choosing and disposing of packing materials
Best options
Choose materials that protect your items and are easy to reuse or recycle. These options balance durability with end-of-life responsibility.
- Cardboard boxes: Boxes are widely recyclable and can be reused multiple times if kept dry. Look for double-walled boxes for heavier items so they last through multiple moves.
- Reusable plastic totes: These are ideal for local or short-term moves. Rent them to avoid storage, or resell when you’re done to keep them in circulation.
- Packing paper: Clean newsprint or kraft paper cushions fragile items without leaving residue. In many areas, it can be recycled or even composted if uncoated and unprinted.
- Paper-based tape: Water-activated or paper tapes make it easier to recycle cardboard. They also tend to hold better on heavy boxes than standard plastic tape.
Use with caution
Some materials are useful but harder to recycle. Use them strategically and plan ahead for proper disposal.
- Bubble wrap and air pillows: Reuse these for cushioning high-risk items, then drop off as plastic film where accepted. Avoid putting them in curbside recycling unless your city explicitly allows it.
- Packing peanuts: Starch peanuts dissolve in water and are generally compostable, while polystyrene is not. Reuse polystyrene peanuts or take them to shipping stores that accept clean loose fill.
- Stretch wrap: Use sparingly to bundle furniture or prevent drawers from sliding. Recycle it with plastic film at designated retail collection points.
How to dispose or pass along supplies
Plan for what happens after you unpack so supplies stay out of the trash. These options make offloading materials quick and easy.
- Share used boxes: List free boxes on neighborhood groups or Buy Nothing communities. Stack by size and leave on your porch for an easy, contactless pickup.
- Bundle clean cardboard: Break down boxes and remove large sections of tape, then place at the curb on recycling day. If you have a lot, call your hauler to confirm bundling requirements.
- Return or resell totes: Many rental companies will pick up reusable bins when you’re done. If you purchased your own, resell locally so they keep working for the next mover.
Need boxes? Start here: where to buy moving boxes.
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Easy ways to cut moving waste
Focus on small, high-impact habits that reduce trash without slowing you down.
Reduce first
Cutting volume at the source makes the rest of your move faster and cheaper. Start early and be realistic about what fits your new space and lifestyle.
- Declutter room by room: Sort into keep, donate, sell, recycle, and trash so every item has a destination. Be decisive — the fewer maybes you pack, the fewer boxes you pay to move and unpack later.
- Pause new purchases 30 days out: Avoid adding to the pile before you move. Press pause on bulk orders and household stock-ups so you have fewer items to haul, store, and sort on the other end.
- Meal-plan your pantry and freezer: Build weekly menus around what you already have to minimize food waste. Donate unopened, nonperishable items through programs like Move For Hunger if you still have excess.
Recycle right
Recycling only works when materials are clean and properly sorted. A few quick adjustments can keep your bins from being tagged for contamination.
- Flatten and bundle cardboard: Break boxes down and keep them dry so they can be processed. Remove large sections with heavy tape to improve recyclability.
- Drop off plastic film separately: Wrap, air pillows, and other plastic film are not accepted in most curbside bins. Take them to participating retail collection bins for proper recycling.
- Compost if available: If your area supports organics, keep food scraps and yard waste out of the trash. Follow your program’s rules on acceptable bags and materials to avoid contamination.
Donation centers: what’s accepted
Most donation centers accept gently used household goods, but policies vary by store and condition. Call ahead to confirm hours and whether pickup is available for larger items.
- Goodwill and Salvation Army: These organizations typically take clothing, small home goods, and some furniture. Items must be clean and in working order to be accepted.
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore: ReStores specialize in furniture, appliances, cabinets, and building materials. Many locations offer pickup for large donations with advance scheduling.
- Shelters and local nonprofits: Many community groups accept linens, kitchen items, and small furniture. Ask what is needed most so your donation makes the biggest impact.
- Online marketplaces: List items for free or low cost to encourage quick local pickup. Clear photos and accurate measurements help items move fast.
Junk removal
When to hire junk removal
If you’re on a tight timeline or dealing with heavy items, professional junk removal saves hours. Crews can haul furniture, mattresses, yard debris, and bagged trash — often the same day — and many will sort for recycling or donation. This is especially helpful if your city’s bulk pickup schedule doesn’t align with your move.
Typical costs: $150–$750+ depending on truck load (volume), labor, and local disposal fees. Pricing is usually based on how much space your items take in the truck, plus any surcharges for special handling.
How to pick a reputable service
A little vetting goes a long way. Ask these questions to avoid surprise fees and ensure your items are handled responsibly.
- Request a firm, volume-based estimate: Confirm what’s included, such as labor, disposal fees, and any surcharges for stairs or heavy items. Ask for photos or a walkthrough estimate if your load is borderline between tiers.
- Verify donation and recycling practices: Reputable haulers will separate reusable items and provide receipts when possible. This can help you claim charitable deductions and keep usable goods out of the landfill.
- Check licensing and insurance: Read recent reviews and confirm coverage in case of damage. Professional crews should be able to provide a certificate of insurance upon request.
FAQ
What should I do with leftover moving boxes?
Flatten clean boxes and either place them in curbside recycling or list them for free pickup in neighborhood groups. Many movers are on the hunt for lightly used boxes and will grab them the same day. If you have heavy-duty boxes in great shape, consider reselling them in bundles to recoup some supply costs. Always remove large sections of tape to improve recyclability.
Where can I find local recycling centers?
Search by item and ZIP code using the Earth911 recycling locator. Your city or county website often maintains an interactive map of drop-off sites and accepted materials, too. If you are moving across state lines, double-check rules because acceptable plastics and preparation requirements can change. When in doubt, call your hauler’s customer service line for item-specific guidance.
Is dumpster rental better than junk removal?
Dumpster rentals are ideal for multi-day projects, renovations, or whole-home cleanouts where you want to work at your own pace. Junk removal shines when you have a few bulky items or need a crew to handle everything quickly in one visit. Costs depend on volume, labor, weight limits, and access (like stairs or long walks). If your city offers free bulky pickups, combine those with a small junk removal load to minimize what you pay out of pocket.
Final thoughts
Moving waste doesn’t have to be inevitable. With a bit of planning — from setting up service early to donating before you pack and scheduling bulk pickup — you can cut costs and keep your move running smoothly. You’ll feel better about where your stuff ends up and save valuable time on the other side.
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