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Wasteless Move In and Out

Move-in and Out Sustainably

Whether you are a returning or an incoming student, we have a few mindful move-in tips to help you make more sustainable decisions and purchases and make this year's move a greener one. 

 

 

 

 

Your Move

Additional information is provided on these pages for students moving into housing.

Residences
Student Community Relations

Plan Ahead

Moving can be easy with a bit of planning. Knowing what you will need and preparing is half the battle. These tips should dramatically reduce the stress of move day.  

  • If you need a , book early.  

  • Coordinate with friends, family, or housemates to help you to move larger items.  

  • Check the weather for your move day to make sure you are prepared. 

Move in

  • Arrange pick-up of your keys. 

  • Label all boxes/reusable containers and pack based on the room (e.g., bedroom, kitchen) so you know what's in each box and what goes where when you arrive at your destination. 

  • Before you move any items into the home, perform an inspection. Take notes of any damages or deficiencies before moving in and taking pictures to compare with your move-out. 

Move out

  • Once all items have been removed, perform an inspection of the home. Compare notes and pictures from your pre-move in inspection, and note any changes. Communicate with your landlord to go over those changes. 

  • Thoroughly clean the home before you turn over your keys.

  • Coming back next year and don't want to move all of your belongings? Take a look at one of the many  throughout Kingston.

  • Give your landlord sixty days notice that you are moving out, as per the . 

Sustainable items to bring

  • Reusable water bottle. Ҵý is a bottled water free campus.

  • BYOC - Bring your own cup when visiting select retail food locations and save $0.35 per drink purchase on hot beverages and fountain drinks when you choose to reuse.  

  • Reusable shopping bags.  

  • Participate in the GOOD TO GO reusable container initiative to help reduce single-use disposable container use on campus. Save $0.75 with select meal purchases at when you choose to reuse and Swap. Eat. Repeat!

  • LED bulbs - conserve energy and save money on your electricity bill.

  • Your bike - Cycling is a quick, cheap, and eco-friendly mode of transportation, and Kingston boasts a beautiful cycling network! Sign up for safe and secure bicycle storage. 

Stay up-to-date on exciting sustainability initiatives in Hospitality Services.

Items to avoid purchasing

  • Single-use plastic water bottles 

  • New items with excessive plastic and styrofoam packaging 

  • Online items. Shop locally in Kingston!

  • Plastic cups, straws, utensils, or plates 

  • Plastic sandwich bags

Choose Reusable

Use reusable containers or items you own, like a laundry bin or backpack. Wrap breakables in clothing, and skip plastic packing tape to reduce waste and cleanup. If using cardboard boxes, collect them early, store flat, and reuse for move-out. Follow Ҵý Disposal Guidelines or local recycling rules, and check the Waste Wizard for disposal tips. 

Bring Only What You Need

The less you bring, the less you’ll need to pack, ship, or carry—and the less you’ll have to move out later. Save time, money, and waste by bringing only what you truly need. You can always buy new or used items in Kingston once you’re settled.

Residence Packing List

 

Don't Idle

Do not leave vehicles idling while moving in. Park the vehicle in a safe location, put on your hazard lights if required, and shut off the vehicle. This is not only lessening your carbon emissions but also adhering to the . 

Wait on Big Purchases

Visit your space and coordinate with roommates before buying large items—you may find they don’t fit or can be shared to save money. You might also discover more sustainable, affordable options after move-in.

donated furniture items

Ҵý Second Hand Shuffle 

Use resources like the Queens Second-hand-shuffle, which is a waste reduction initiative intended to re-house quality items no longer wanted by students. 

Learn about this year's shuffle