Office of Sustainability
University of Wisconsin–Madison

Six Ideas for a Sustainable Move-In

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Make your move in more sustainable with these tips! Whether you are living in one of our on-campus residence halls or off-campus, these tips will help you reduce waste and move in sustainably.

Student worker stands with hands in the air between a garbage dumpster and recycling dumpster during University Housing Move-In

1. Plan ahead

Plan ahead to avoid bringing extra or unnecessary items! Coordinate with your roommates to see if they’re already bringing something you had planned to.  For those living in the residence halls, consult Bucky’s Packing List for specific guidance on what you should bring to campus and what you should leave behind. Make a comprehensive packing list ahead of time to maximize efficiency and minimize stress! 

The inside of a large dumpster filled with flattened cardboard boxes to be recycled.

2. Use reusable containers.

Single use packaging creates a lot of waste; to reduce this waste use suitcases or reusable boxes and bags to pack your belongings instead of cardboard boxes. Also, you can wrap your fragile belongings in clothing or towels instead of single-use bubble wrap. This will also save you space and money while reducing waste!  

The inside of a warehouse filled with a variety of furniture and other items such as chairs, books, tables, and file cabinets. A sign is hung above materials reading "Welcome to the UW Swap Shop"
Credit: Verona Operations

3. Shop secondhand. 

Looking for furniture for your new space? There are many ways to find cheap, secondhand alternatives on campus. Try checking out local thrift/secondhand stores or SWAP Online Auction.  SWAP Online Auction has a variety of items including furniture, computers, TVs, housewares and more! Bid for and buy your next favorite item for an affordable price. If you are eligible (eligibly requirements)  submit a claim request for Badger Reclaim to claim storage containers, mirrors, chairs, lamps and more!  

The inside of Green Life Trading Co. storefront. Refill stations for cleaning supplies, spray bottles and soaps in the foreground. A person browses in the background.
Credit: Green Life Trading Co.

4. Use sustainable cleaning supplies.

When you arrive at your new space, you’ll likely want to clean it. Use rags, cloths and/or mops instead of single–use cleaning products. These last longer and are even usually more hygienic. To avoid using single-use plastic, Green Life Trading Co. is a local refill shop located on Willy Street with a variety of bulk home and personal care products. Also, you can even make your own easy homemade cleaning products.  

A screenshot of the UW Madison Zero Waste Compass homepage. There is a search prompt reading "What do I do with?". Below are "Featured Topics" of Coffee Cups, Pizza Boxes, University Housing Move In and University Housing Move Out. Below featured topics are all topics displaying cleaning supplies, a plastic cup, batteries, a Bubl'r can, and aluminum foil.

5. Try our Zero Waste Compass.

Unsure how to dispose of something while you’re unpacking? Check out the Zero Waste Compass for guidance!  

Students pushing red move in cards filled with boxes. The students are wearing read shirts that read "Staff" on the back. They are outside of a residence hall in the waste station area pushing the carts toward the dumpsters. A red umbrella is in the background covering student workers from the sun.

6. Get involved! 

Want to help make our campus more sustainable? Sign up to help with residence hall sustainable move in!

 

More resources:  

For housing residents:  

  • In-depth look at waste sites 

 

For off-campus residents: