The main three things of a military move consist of: boxes, paper and tape.
Packing paper.
The lovely boxes. (with tape)
If we’re trying to recycle last and refuse, reuse and reduce first, I feel pretty good about this move.
Refusing moving boxes was out, but I tried to get rid of stuff at the GoodWill before we left Norfolk, reducing the amount of boxes we needed. Well, I could have gotten rid of more, but my man wasn’t around and I like to go over with him what I’m throwing out first so he doesn’t claim I’m getting rid of all his stuff when he’s out to sea. I’ve talked about it, but never done it…..he’s a bit of a pack rat. But we’re working on that. 🙂
Tom, the mover/driver said he and his company are up and down I-95 constantly and would be more than willing to swing by and pick up the boxes once we unpacked. They reuse them, because it saves them money. I was thrilled to hear it.
Future dining room...
My brother-in-law’s girlfriend is also moving and needs boxes and paper. She asked if she could use ours. Reusing! I told her to take as many as she needs (paper too) and we’ll get them back when she’s done and pass them back to Tom the mover/driver. Reusing x2!
Moving into a smaller house, we’re downsizing and getting rid of more items and passing them on to the GoodWill. (My man’s here to go through things with me, and I’m very proud of him. He’s gotten rid of many items of clothing he hasn’t worn in 3 years!) We transported the items in the lovely boxes.
The tape…..at first I was pulling it off and tossing it. There’s no way to reuse tape that I know of. My husband said he leaves the tape on the boxes when he returns them to the driver. One less thing to throw away.
So, this move has been pretty waste free, and when it’s all said and done, the next family who uses the boxes will probably leave the paper and boxes out for the city to pick up. That’s the only thing you can do with that many boxes if you don’t return them to the company. The city recycles them.
The tape is the only catch….but I don’t know how to get around that one….any ideas?
The dreaded, but much needed tape.
Not feeling so bad about moving! 🙂
Do any of you have any stories to share about moving?
Found the cookbooks! Yay!
Related articles
- Research Project Part 3: Lets recycle! (envirowriters.wordpress.com)
- Another military move….for the compost bin. (militaryzerowaste.wordpress.com)
- Moving? Box Rental Company Good Boxes Delivers and Eliminates the Cardboard Waste (treehugger.com)
Attempting zero waste lifestyle in a military household 
this is a nice post..thanks for this..
I split my boxes and store them flat under the bed or wherever they’ll go – then I have them for the next move. I leave the tape on the boxes – it acts as reinforcement when they’re used again.
Gosh, that’s great. I didn’t know that about the tape, but it makes sense. With the moving companies the military contracts out—they have to use their own boxes. I’m just thrilled they’ll take them back.
@alisonamazed Yes, I do the same thing. Boxes are so outrageously expensive if you buy new so, I keep them and reuse them as many times as I can! I’ve noticed that the ones with more tape do end up making it through more moves than others… Ah life as a twenty something! Man, I need to buy a house soon. haha
Jennifer, I loved this post (as I always do) from you. You add just the right amount of humor into your writing that makes your zero-waste goal appear friendly and inclusive. These posts easily could have me feeling guilty about all sorts of things I’m not recycling to the best of my ability. Instead, I feel encouraged and motivated to try harder after reading your attempts.
Congrats on the move, I hope you’re all settled in soon! 🙂
BTW – have you seen the documentary No-Impact Man? I think you’d love it!
Gosh, thanks Challah Girl! You know, I really appreciate that. I never thought of coming off preachy and making folks feel guilty. Geez, that’s the last thing I want to do. I mostly just wanted to share my journey and struggles and exchange ideas. It makes me feel good to know that’s how it’s coming off. By all means, feel free to keep me in line if you think I ever sound preachy. Imposing on someone is such a turn-off. I do want to encourage, and put ideas out there to make people think.
I appreciate the encouragement.
We’re headed into week two and still not fully unpacked. This is taking FOREVER!! 🙂
I’ll have to look for No-Impact Man. Maybe I can find it on Netflix?
@Challah Girl No-Impact Man? Will check it out.
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