What to do with leftover moving boxes

We all know that moving troubles do not end with simply transporting your items to your new home. After you move with one of the moving companies in North Bergen NJ and unpack, you will probably have so many boxes that it will be difficult to get them out of the way. While you are trying to get rid of these leftover moving boxes, there are other ways to recycle or reuse them.

Local recycling programs

In most cities and towns, people can recycle large quantities of cardboard, so other people don’t have to pay for moving boxes Jersey City. Some may not be picked from the sidelines, so you may have to deliver your boxes to a recycling center.

Sell leftover moving boxes

Depending on where you live, in many cities, there are companies that specialize in buying and selling used boxes. You can search them online or check with local shipping companies. If you live in the USA, BoxCycle is a great place to make a list of boxes for selling and buying used boxes. The company makes a lot of sales for you. You can find buyers who will accept discounts and come to pick them up at your appointed time. Transferring your boxes does not require an advance payment, but they charge a commission on sales.

Place on the bulletin board

U-Haul has a Customer Connect board for people on the go. You can search for people requesting used moving boxes or post your message. This is a site where people can buy, sell, or trade packing materials, including boxes. Craigslist is a great place to put the boxes you want to sell, trade or distribute. Freecycle.org is another site where you can list items that you want other people to come and take from you.

If you are not yet a NextDoor member, this is a great place to put things you are trying to sell or give away, such as moving boxes and packing materials. Since you have just moved to a new area, NextDoor is also a great place to meet new neighbors and find the services you might need for your new home. Register, introduce yourself and participate. It is so simple.

Ask your neighbors if they need your leftover moving boxes

If you moved to a residential complex or nearby, ask managers or a rental office if they can notify tenants that your boxes need a new house. Or they can tell you if someone in the building is moving and needs free cardboard boxes. You can also place flyers in your area so people know that you have leftover moving boxes.

Contact a charity or community organization

Local libraries, schools, community centers, food banks, churches, or other non-profit organizations may need boxes for their own purposes or for use in their work, such as making food baskets. This option may take some time and several phone calls, but there are always organizations that need boxes.

Animal shelters

Many animal shelters use cardboard boxes, especially those that may contain cans for cats. These boxes are often used and recycled as disposable cat litter trays. Clever, huh? Check with your local animal shelter to see if they take the boxes, and if they do, what they take. You can check with organizations such as the Animal League if they pick up any boxes that they can use later.

Contact your local library or charity

You may be surprised to learn that some charities or libraries need good quality cardboard boxes to use. Contact your local library or call to find out if they need any boxes, or ask someone who might need some boxes. It is important to note that wet cartons are not recyclable. Check with your institution what they can take.

Use them as storage boxes

After unpacking, the leftover moving boxes will be great organizers for long-term storage. Once you find places for things that you are likely to use on a regular basis, sort the items that you will rarely use into boxes. Label the boxes well so that you know what is in the box. Now you can keep them aside, and everything will take up less space. If they stay in the box the next time you move, it may mean that it is time to sell or donate the contents, rather than moving them again.

Save the boxes for the next move

Go through your boxes and choose the cleanest and strongest ones. Flatten them and set aside to use for storage or your next move. Even if you do not use them, most likely you have friends or relatives who will need them soon enough.

Save the leftover moving boxes for DIY games and projects

If you have children or pets, you can always find a use for several moving boxes. They can become playhouses, costumes, beds, and sleds. You can also make Halloween costumes with them. Flat boxes create good protective surfaces that you can dispose of after changing oil, painting, or having to kneel down in gardening.

Compost them

Some people use cardboard boxes as compost bins. Community garden programs also often need cardboard for use in their projects. Your boxes can have a new life in the form of vegetables and flowers.

Never throw away leftover moving boxes

Yes, we know that the leftover moving boxes are not your top priorities when moving and that the easiest way to get rid of them is to simply throw them away. But, before you do this, think about all the other things that you can do with them. You may not need them anymore, but there are many other people who will appreciate getting them.