Moving Out – The Sustainable Way

Next stop: the rest of your life!

You’ve graduated (congratulations!!)… and now you’re moving! Eek!

Moving is one of those weird life moments where everything feels exciting and 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. PACKING

We added this step to really emphasize that you absolutely DO NOT 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. STOCKING YOUR LOW-WASTE SPACE

Fast forward through the heavy lifting (pro tip: always offer pizza and beer to anyone who is nice enough to help) and you’ve got your stuff in your new place.

You’ve decided 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. We love a budgeting grad!

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:

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:

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:

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 our 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.

Zero Waste Week 2026

March 29 – April 4, 2026

The 7th Annual Zero Waste Week is even more packed with events than prior years. This time, Life Unplastic is offering raffle entries for each event you attend – simply find a LU team member once you arrive and get a stamp on your card. Stamp cards are available at Life Unplastic and at every ZWW event. Redeem by April 12th by bringing your card into the shop, and we’ll announce winners that week.

So what events are available to attend? We promise, there’s something for everyone!

Sunday, March 29th:

*Neighborhood Cleanup with Keep Alachua County Beautiful
9-11 am from SE 15th St. From Hawthorne Rd to SE 13th Ave
Join Keep Alachua County Beautiful (KACB) for a street cleanup running through the Lincoln Heights neighborhoods. Register here!

*registration is recommended!

COG Day Afternoon with Adrien’s Bike Shop
11am-5pm at Loosey’s Downtown
Join us for a full day celebrating bikes and community. Whether you’re a seasoned rider, a total newbie, or just bike-curious, this event has something for you.

Confronting Clutter Workshop with Angela Dragon from Simplify Home Organizing
3-4 pm at Cypress & Grove
“Confronting Clutter” explores how we can reduce waste, ease overwhelm, and help move toward more intentional (and zero waste!) living. This workshop is supportive and judgement-free. No matter your personal level of clutter, you’ll leave with some new tools and a fresh perspective.

Register here (optional)

Monday, March 30th:

Grove Street Farmer’s Market (Life Unplastic will be there!)
4-7 pm at 1001 NW 4th Street, Gainesville, FL 32601 (Cypress & Grove)
Join the City of Gainesville’s Zero Waste Initiative Team and Life Unplastic tabling at the GSFM. Learn about Zero Waste and get a free produce bag.

Tuesday, March 31st:

Book Club Discussion of Garbology with Joy Hughes from Life Unplastic
6-8 pm at Cypress & Grove
In this eye-opening read, Humes explores what really happens to our waste and how modern consumption has shaped America’s trash problem. The book challenges common myths about recycling and offers insight into how individual choices and larger systems intersect. All are welcome whether you’ve had a chance to read the whole book or just part of it, or just want to listen in. 

Wednesday, April 1st:

**Transfer Station Tour with Alachua County
9 am at Leveda Brown Environmental Park
The tour will last approximately one hour and will cover: how to properly dispose of hazardous materials, a brief history of solid waste management in Alachua County, how various waste materials are disposed of in Alachua County, what items can be recycled in Alachua County, & how recyclables are processed

**Registration is REQUIRED to participate in the Transfer Station Tour! To reserve your seats, use the contact form at the bottom of their page. In the comments section, specify “April 1st tour” and the number of people in your group. Be sure to fill out the contact information so we can confirm your seat(s) via email or contact you by phone in the event of an emergency cancellation. Parking is limited so carpooling is encouraged. Please contact Alanna Carinio with any questions ACarinio@alachuacounty.us or 352-548-1278.

Thursday, April 2nd:

Beginning Gardening Workshop with Working Food and Renuable
6-7 pm at Gainesville Giving Garden Farm
Would you like to learn how to stop bringing home unnecessary packaging, completely eliminate food miles, and gain access to free, healthy food? Then you need the beginners gardening workshop at the Gainesville Giving Garden, where Meg, the founder, will discuss what to plant in spring, how to tend the soil, and so much more!

Friday, April 3rd:

*Composting Orientation with the Compost Cooperative and Gardens
5pm at UF Energy Research + Education Park
Want a location to bring your food scraps for composting? Join Dr. Wilkie’s team and learn how the Compost Cooperative and Gardens program works, where you can bring your food scraps and participate in composting. This orientation is to learn how the Compost Cooperative’s composting system works and is for those who want to bring their food scraps to the garden on an ongoing basis. Sign up here.

*registration is recommended!

Saturday, April 4th:

*Fix-it Clinic with Gainesville Hackerspace
11 am – 2 pm at 4101 NW 6th St, Gainesville, FL 32609 (Gainesville Hackerspace)
Bring your sewing machine, small appliance, lamp, or corded item to be repaired. This is a free event, but donations are accepted. Register here!

*registration is recommended, but walk-ins are also welcome!

Clothing Swap with Repurpose Project
1-4 pm at 1920 NE 23rd Ave (Community Center)
No Registration Required. Bring some clothes, take some clothes. Free event. Donations accepted. 

We’re so excited to bring you another week of sustainable education and celebration! Be sure to check out the Zero Waste Gainesville website or browse our Zero Waste Week Eco-Chats for info on past Zero Waste Weeks!

Spring RETHINKing: What to do with that stuff!

Spring cleaning is the beautiful tradition of opening ourselves up to change by clearing out our space, letting go of what is no longer serving us, and it’s often a much-needed reset.

But our stuff doesn’t stop being our responsibility just because we’re done with it. Keeping items in circulation takes a bit more effort, but it’s an effort worth making. And once you know your options, it becomes much easier. Most of what ends up in that “get rid of” pile isn’t inherently trash; it just needs a new home.

This spring, try not just cleaning or purging, but rethinking.

If you’re in the stage where you’ve realized that deciding TO get rid of this stuff was easy, but now you need to decide HOW to get rid of it… we’ve got you.

Below is our hyperlocal guide to how to deal with different things that are no longer serving you. Remember, our goal is always to keep that loop as closed as possible – if it can be reused or repurposed, reuse or repurpose it!

Our Sustainable GNV tab has a list of some sustainable resources right here in Gainesville: local businesses where you can get items mended, shop secondhand, and help out your community. This blog post contains some of the same resources, plus extra links to recycling programs, donation centers, and some online resources that aren’t exactly local, but still definitely useful!

What do I do with unwanted clothes?

Repair, alter, or mend them:

  • Check out our list of local alteration/mending businesses here.

Sell to consignment stores:

Donate to local thrifts:

  • Try to opt for locally-owned thrifts over dropping items at Goodwill or Salvation Army. Those big corporations are never without donations, and many sadly end up going to the landfill.
  • Check out our list of secondhand shops in Gainesville here.

Recycle them:

  • H&M in the Oaks Mall has a textile recycling program.
  • You can order a “take-back bag” from trashie.io, fill it with old clothes and fabric, and they’ll recycle it for you.

What about extra hangers?

What do I do with unwanted shoes?

Repair them:

  • Gator Shoe Repair and Flick of the Wrist Shoe Repair are good options
  • Some cobblers even have trade-in programs or are willing to buy good quality dress shoes

Donate them:

  • Soles4Souls will donate or recycle shoes that you drop off at their participating stores (DSW on Archer Road
  • Various local thrifts – try small businesses before going to corporations like Goodwill or Salvation ArmyDonate them:

Recycle them:

What do I do with unwanted furniture?

Repair or reupholster it:

  • Check out our list of furniture repair/upholstery businesses here.

Sell or gift it:

Donate it:

Recycle it:

What do I do with unwanted books?

Sell them or trade them in for new ones:

Donate them:

Recycle them:

  • Paperbacks (not laminated) can be recycled curbside in your orange bin.
  • Or drop them off at your closest rural collection center.
What do I do with unwanted office or art supplies?

Donate them:

Reuse them:

  • Check online for creative ways to use supplies or scraps you already have!
  • Get a bag from Retold and send them your fabric scraps for reworking into rags, insulation, and more!
What do I do with unwanted electronics?

Sell it or trade it in:

Donate it:

  • Friends of the Library accepts audio equipment, records, and more!
  • Various local thrifts accept countertop appliances, lamps, and similar portable technology in WORKING condition

Recycle it:

Remember to call ahead or check online to make sure a place is currently accepting the items you wish to donate. Life Unplastic is not the expert on other local businesses’ policies, only they can tell you that!

If you don’t know what to do with an item, or you don’t see it listed here, visit the Zero Waste Wizard! That handy tool will tell you exactly where in Gainesville you can donate or recycle your household items!

Thank you for taking the time to dispose of your stuff the right way! Every little step is important to reaching a circular society where items don’t have to go to waste.

Psst… if you’re interested in not having to do this again anytime soon, may we suggest trying out a Low Buy 2026 Challenge? The first ‘r’ is reduce, after all!