Cardboard Boxes - Save or Recycle?

Gretchen and I find that many of our clients store boxes. Unless you are moving, this can quickly become a problem an you may fill your garage and attic with unnecessary trash.

Photo by Akira Ohgaki

In order to maintain a good flow of items through your home, usually it is best to recycle boxes.

If you are an on-line shopper, many boxes enter your home. Do not delay and set these empty boxes aside. Make a decision to recycle or store right away!

Try these tips:

1. If you have an account and re-sell items on Ebay, craigslist, etc., choose a location in your home to temporarily store items to sell with packaging to mail these items. In this area, create a space for bubble wrap, peanuts, and boxes. Make another space for boxes/packaging and lastly a space for item storage. Once this area is full, recycle all packaging. The idea is to keep within a boundary!

2. Recycle all shoe boxes with lids that are attached. If you ever want/need a shoe box, you will probably prefer a box with a removable lid.

3. Recycle all large boxes that typically are associated with large children's toys.

4. Keep super small packaging for expensive electronics. These are easy to store and you will get a better return if you have original packaging.

~Amy