The average family uses dozens of boxes during a move. Based on past data, the rough estimate is 60 boxes per move. Most people have no idea they’ve amassed that many boxes until they start unpacking. That’s when the box pile begins to grow.
There are lots of ways to find cheap or free moving boxes, and there are just as many ways to get rid of them after a move.
Ask Your Moving Company If They Want the Boxes
Your moving company may be able to make use of the boxes. Some companies participate in recycling programs or pass along the used boxes to help other movers who are in financial need. They may also offer to buy back gently used and unused moving boxes.
Give Them Away to Neighbors
This suggestion is particularly good if you live in an apartment complex or condo. You can ask the property manager to let others know you’ve got boxes up for grabs. You can also use a neighborhood app like NextDoor to let your neighbors know the boxes are available.
Take Them to the Local Recycling Center
All of your boxes that barely made the trip or didn’t survive the unpacking can be sent to the recycling center. If the boxes are no longer usable this is about the only option besides the landfill or repurposing them for compost.
Create a Listing on BoxCycle
So many cardboard boxes are used in the U.S. every year, BoxCycle was created to explicitly solve the problem of what to do with them after a move. BoxCycle connects box sellers with box buyers who are looking for a good deal. Just create a listing, BoxCycle facilitates the sale, and then you select a time for the buyer to pick up the boxes. It’s like Craigslist with a middleman to facilitate the process.
Use Your City’s Craigslist
Craigslist is one of the most popular resources for getting rid of moving boxes whether you want to sell them for extra cash or give them away for free. If you plan to sell gently used moving boxes create a listing in the “general” or “garage & moving sales” section. If you want to get the boxes gone fast you can put the listing under the “free” section.
Join the The Freecycle Network
Freecycle is another website where people can offer up freebies to their neighbors. The goal is to reduce what goes in the landfill by helping people share and repurpose items. It’s totally free to sign up and join groups that are giving things away in your area.
Sit the Boxes on the Curb
During certain times of year (late spring, summer and early fall) cardboard boxes are in such high demand you could get rid of them by simply putting the boxes on the curb. Pick a nice sunny day, use one of the boxes to create a sign that says “Free Moving Boxes” and then wait. There’s a good chance someone will stop and pick up the boxes before the end of the day.
Donate the Boxes to Charity
Charities often hold events or participate in community gatherings and need to cart lots of items back and forth. Call around to several local charities to see if they’re in need of moving boxes.
The moving pros at Square Cow Movers can help you make the best use of your space and minimize the number of boxes you need. Call today to learn more about our moving and packing services.
Original Source: https://squarecowmovers.com/getting-rid-boxes-moving/