Next stop: the rest of your life!
Moving out is one of those weird life moments where everything feels exciting and slightly chaotic at the same time.
Whether you’re leaving a dorm, your childhood home, or just starting fresh somewhere new, there’s a lot to figure out… and a lot of stuff involved.
So we figured we’d make it a little easier (and a little less wasteful 😉) with a guide to the actual essentials.
STEP 1. DECLUTTERING
The first step in moving is always clearing stuff OUT, so you can clean, pack, and have less to move in the first place. But when you’re getting rid of things you don’t need anymore, try to avoid just dumping everything on Goodwill’s doorstep (or worse, the dumpster) and calling it a day. We have a whole handy guide on how to repair, donate, reuse, and recycle or, when needed, toss things responsibly.
Also check out our Sustainable Gainesville resources list for more local businesses that can help make your everyday routines more earth-friendly.
STEP 2. DON’T BUY BOXES
Pro tip: You really don’t need to spend money on moving boxes (or packing material). PLEASE don’t spend your money on these types of things.
There are so many perfectly good boxes (and packing material) already in circulation and most business are actively trying to get rid of them.
Grocery stores, restaurants, retail stores… all get shipments constantly, unpack them, and end up with stacks of sturdy boxes that are bound for the recycling bin (we hope!).
All you have to do is ask.
A simple “hey, do you have any boxes you’re getting rid of?” goes a long way. If you want to be extra helpful, ask what day their deliveries come in and swing by after.
For example, at Life Unplastic, we keep nearly every box that comes through the shop specifically so people can reuse them. Lots of them carried heavy bulk liquids so they’re built to handle a move. We don’t even break them down. You can call ahead or just swing by.. and feel free to ask about our extra packing material because we save that for reuse too!
STEP 3. LOW-WASTING YOUR SPACE
So now you’ve got your stuff in your new place. And you want to embrace a low- waste lifestyle, but aren’t quite sure where to start.
We’ve got you! One rule of thumb to avoid over-consumption or becoming overwhelmed: make a running list of what you need and stick to it!
We’ve got a wide selection of low waste kitchen, bathroom, laundry, and cleaning essentials to choose, from other small businesses we love.
Psst: products listed here may not be the only option in their respective category, but is the most affordable option we offer.
Click on each item’s link to view the product page and read more about the ingredients and supplier. You can also add to your cart for FREE pickup or local delivery. Another way to save: refill on Sundays and bring your own containers to get 10% off.
Kitchen Basics:
- Wash Your Dishes:
- liquid dish soap or solid dish soap for manual dish washing in the sink
- sponges/scrubbies:
- dishwasher powder and vinegar (rinse aid) for automatic washing
- Cook Your Food:
- cooking oils: olive oil or algae cooking oil
- 100% recycled Aluminum foil and unbleached Parchment paper
- spices and herbs (refill your own containers)
Plus: lots of other pantry staples by the ounce, like coffee beans, oats, granola, and more! Check out the full refillery counter menu.
Bathroom Basics:
- Wash Your Hands & Body:
- liquid hand soap (can be diluted for foaming dispensers)
- solid hand or body soap for sink + shower
- Shower + Hair Care:
- solid shampoo and conditioner bars
- liquid shampoo, conditioner, and body wash
- clean and exfoliate with a loofah or soap saver bag
- Daily Essentials:
- 100% recycled toilet paper
- soap dishes extend the life of your bar
- bamboo toothbrush and dental floss
- true cotton swabs (some conventional swabs are made from synthetic materials now!)
Plus: plenty of other personal care products from our low-waste shelves or refillery counter, depending on what you actually use day to day.
Cleaning & Laundry Basics:
- Laundry:
- tough guy powder detergent
- ecos pro liquid detergent
- color-safe oxygen powered bleach alternative
- All-Purpose Cleaning:
- concentrated all-purpose cleaner tabs – just add water
- liquid castile soap – use 1 tbsp per gallon of water for a simple floor cleaner
- baking soda – great for scrubbing sinks + tubs
- vinegar – use with these kraft paper towels for streak-free glass cleaning
- isopropyl alcohol (70%) – great for sanitizing surfaces
- hydrogen peroxide (6%) – great for disinfecting and stain removal, dilute to 3% for using as personal care
Plus: once you have the basics, you can mix and match for most cleaning needs without buying a different product for every single surface.
This is just a starting point. Be sure to use up what you already have and if you’re not sure what you actually need (or what’s worth swapping out), come talk to us. We can help you figure it out without overbuying.
In the meantime – check out the full webstore to explore more low-waste, unplastic, reusable products!
We also shared a version of this over on our instagram @unplasticgnv if you want a quick visual reference.