Ugh, packing. Just the word is enough to make me sigh. It’s the worst kind of chore, isn’t it? And on top of the sheer boredom of boxing up your entire life, there’s that icky feeling you get when you look at the aftermath: a trash bag full of plastic bubble wrap that you used for one afternoon but will be sitting in a landfill for the next five hundred years.

I feel that guilt, too. I really do. And for the longest time, the so-called “green” alternatives were a complete joke. I tried that wispy, recycled paper once. My favorite mug did not survive the experience. It felt like a choice between protecting my stuff and protecting the planet.

But guess what? I’ve finally found a middle ground. After my last move (my fifth in ten years, send help), I went on a personal crusade to find eco-friendly packing supplies that don’t actually suck. This isn’t from a press release. This is from my lived experience, which included a few fails and some glorious wins.

The Stuff That Actually Works (I Promise)

Let’s cut through the noise. Here’s what you should actually use, in order of how much I love them.

1. Your Own Linens (The Ultimate Freebie)

This is the biggest game-changer, and it costs you nothing. You are already packing your towels, sheets, and clothes. So use them as padding!

• Bath Towels & Tea Towels: Perfect for wrapping plates, bowls, and casserole dishes. Wrap each one individually. You’re packing them anyway!
• Bed Sheets & Blankets: Drape them over wooden furniture to prevent scratches. Use them to wrap framed art and mirrors. Cushion the bottom of boxes.
• Socks: I am not kidding. Clean socks are the perfect protectors for wine glasses and vases. Just slide them on.
• T-shirts & Sweaters: Stuff them into the gaps around fragile items inside a box. They stop things from shifting better than any peanut.

This is step one. Do this before you spend a single dollar.

2. Heavy-Duty Kraft Paper (The Un-Sexy Workhorse)

Forget the flimsy stuff. You want the thick, brown, butcher-style kraft paper. You can get a giant roll for less than $15.

• Why it’s brilliant: It’s strong. You can really crank on it. Crumple it into a ball and it holds its shape, creating a fantastic, springy cushion.
• My #1 Tip: CRUMPLE IT. Do not lay it flat. Crumple a bunch into the bottom of your box to make a nest. Wrap every single glass and mug tightly. Then, as you fill the box, cram crumpled paper into every. single. gap. If you can shake the box and hear something rattle, you need more paper. This is the secret to no breaks.

3. Honeycomb Paper Cushioning (For Your Most Precious Things)

This is for the stuff you’re really paranoid about. It comes in flat sheets, but when you scrunch it, it pops up into a 3D honeycomb cushion. It’s weirdly satisfying, and it works just as well as bubble wrap.

4. The Peanut Test

If you need loose fill, look for the biodegradable kind made from cornstarch.

• How to know it’s real: Run one under warm water. If it dissolves into a mushy blob, you’re good. If it just sits there, it’s fake plastic junk.

Here’s the Thing Everyone Forgets…

You can do all this work—wrapping your plates in towels, your glasses in paper—and then completely undo it by shoving those boxes into a damp, dusty storage unit. What’s the point of carefully protecting something from scratches if you’re just going to let it get warped by humidity or chewed on by critters?

This is the part where I tell you why our service matters in this whole equation. Think of our storage units as the final, critical step in your eco-friendly packing system. You’ve done the hard work of protecting your items from the immediate shock of moving. We provide a clean, dry, and secure environment that protects them in the long term. It’s the peace of mind that your carefully packed grandmother’s china or your seasonal decorations will be waiting for you in exactly the same condition you left them. We’re the stable, predictable end of the story that your responsible packing deserves.

Your No-Nonsense, Step-by-Step Plan

1. Go raid your linen closet. Seriously, right now. Pile up those towels and blankets.
2. Buy one roll of kraft paper. Don’t overcomplicate it. This is your main weapon.
3. Pack. Tight. I’m not kidding about the crumpling. Make those boxes so full of paper they’re almost bursting.
4. Label like a maniac. “KITCHEN – Plates + Mixer” is useful. “Fragile” is not.
5. Give yourself a high five. You just moved your life without creating a mountain of permanent waste. That’s a huge win. Celebrate it.

Packing is never going to be fun. But it doesn’t have to feel so wasteful. With this approach, it can actually feel… smart. Now go get started. You’ve got this.