You’ve moved into your new place and unpacked everything, but what do you do with all those empty moving boxes? One option would be to store them for your next move. But if you don’t plan on moving or have the required storage space, what else can you do with them?
Throwing cardboard away is not only wasteful but also environmentally hazardous. When cardboard is dumped in landfills, it breaks down and increases the amount of methane released into the atmosphere.
Instead, why not repurpose your cardboard boxes? Here, we’ll discuss how to reuse moving boxes to give them new life. You’ll be helping the environment by keeping cardboard out of landfills and gaining an opportunity to get creative.
How to Recycle Moving Boxes
You can always choose to recycle, but there are some instructions you must follow for cardboard to be recyclable. For one, it’s best to empty all boxes of packing materials. You must also remove the packing tape and all plastic delivery labels and envelopes.
Additionally, the cardboard boxes should be dry, clean, and flattened before placing them in the correct recycling bin. You can always contact your local recycling center for more information on recycling requirements for cardboard.
While recycling decreases the energy needed to produce new cardboard by 25%, it still demands significant energy to transport and process. Plus, there’s no way for you to know how much of your cardboard is being recycled. Therefore, recycling may not be ideal if you’re trying to stay green.
How to Reuse Moving Boxes
Dealing with your used moving boxes should be as easy as when you click for local movers in your online search for the right company to help you move. Since cardboard is strong, sturdy, and highly versatile, you can extend its longevity by reusing moving boxes in the following simple ways:
Use Them as Floor Coverings
Turn your cardboard boxes into floor coverings for when you’re moving or redecorating. By laying them flat and taping them to the ground, cardboard can come in handy as floor protection.
Use Them in the Garden
Cardboard can work as a weed barrier and starter for new plants. Plus, it’s full of carbon, and when combined with the nitrogen in the dirt, it can create healthy, nutrient-rich soil.
Use Them as Toys
What are moving boxes to children? They are endless fun. If you give a child a cardboard box, their imagination will repurpose it into a fort, a DIY arts and crafts project, and many playthings.
Use Them as Storage
You can use them to help you get organized. Your moving boxes can store seasonal clothing, holiday decorations, and other items that do not need to be displayed. And if you want to get fancy, try covering the boxes with fabric that matches your decor. They also can be cut into pieces and turned into drawer dividers.
How to Offer Moving Boxes to Others
The last suggestion for how to reuse moving boxes and packing supplies are to offer them to others. Plenty of folks frequently search for moving boxes and can benefit from the ones you have, as long as they’re in good condition.
You can start by asking your family and friends. Someone may be moving soon and will happily take them off your hands. Or post your moving boxes on sites like Craigslist and Freecycle; your trash could become someone else’s treasure.
We hope you found this article informative and practical. Check out the rest of our site for more helpful content.
