What To Do With Moving Boxes After Moving House
Moving house is an enormous and exhausting undertaking. From securing a new home and packing your boxes to planning for the move and transferring your whole life to a new base, there is so much to think and worry about that everything can easily become overwhelming.
Once you’ve unpacked and started to settle into your new home, things will start to feel a little more normal, but the huge stack of empty moving boxes will pose a definite threat to your peace of mind. Read on for our top tips on what to do with your packing supplies after the dreaded move is finally complete.
Return Them
If you rented your cardboard boxes from a moving company, don’t forget to return them. Many moving companies offer box rental schemes and returning them ensures they can be reused for someone else’s house move. It’s a small but thoughtful gesture that helps reduce waste and supports sustainability.
Recycle Them
Cardboard is one of the easiest materials to recycle. Once you’ve finished unpacking, break down the boxes and place them in your recycling bin. Make sure to remove any tape, labels, or packing materials, as these can contaminate the recycling process. Most recycling centres will also accept flattened cardboard, so taking your boxes here will help to ensure the cardboard is recycled responsibly.
Give Them Away
If you have surplus boxes, consider giving them away. You can either give them to a family member or friend who will be moving house soon or offer them up on a community-based platform where people give away or request items for free such as Facebook Marketplace. This is an excellent way to help others in your local area who may be preparing for their own move or need boxes for storage. It’s an environmentally friendly way to pass on your boxes while avoiding the landfill.
Donate Them
Local schools, charities, and community centres often appreciate donations of sturdy cardboard boxes for storing supplies, books, or donated items. If your boxes are still in good condition, reach out to these organisations to see if they could use them. It’s a simple way to support your community and keep the boxes from going to waste.
Use Them for Storage
Cardboard boxes can be a great vessel for storing items you use infrequently in an under-stairs cupboard or watertight garage. Christmas decorations, out-of-season clothing, and sentimental items are all things we have and want to keep hold of but perhaps lack the space for in our living spaces. Consider using your cardboard boxes to safely store these items away, out of sight and out of mind.
Get Creative
Cardboard boxes can make fantastic toys for children, sparking their imagination and creativity. From building forts and castles to turning them into cars or rocket ships, the possibilities are endless. A rainy afternoon can be transformed into hours of fun and adventure with just a few cardboard boxes. This fun, creative way to pass the time indoors with young children during a rainstorm is an especially great solution if your house move has taken place during the colder, wetter months.
Compost Them
If your cardboard boxes are no longer in usable condition, they can still have a purpose in your garden by being shredded up and added to your compost bin. Cardboard is a great source of carbon and helps balance out the nitrogen from food scraps. Just make sure the cardboard is clean and free from any inks or coatings that could hinder the composting process.
Save Them
You may wish to hold onto your boxes for future moves, home organisation projects, or seasonal storage. Flat packing your boxes and keeping them in a dry, cool place will minimise the amount of storage space they take up and ensure they’re ready when you need them again. Having a stash of boxes on hand can save time and money the next time you need to pack, store, or transport items, making this an especially great solution for individuals who experience a lot of change in their lives.