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Most times, after moving your property into your new home, you have stacks of empty cardboard boxes to put away. After taking out the contents, you might be wondering what to do with that pile of cardboard. Thankfully, cardboard moving boxes are easy to reuse and can serve other purposes.
Break Down All Your Boxes
The first thing to do with your moving boxes in preparation for recycling is to break them down; it makes it easier to recycle. Empty all contents in the boxes, cut tape along the connections rather than tearing it off, collapse the boxes, and ensure they are entirely flat. Cut out any part that might have damage from liquids or spills as it is almost impossible for recycling companies to recycle saturated cardboards. Store the deconstructed boxes in a dry place until you can bring them to a waste management facility or until you can arrange for pickup.
Check with the Waste Management Company
Before bringing out all your boxes and stacking them right next to your bin, ensure the waste management truck will collect them during regular pickup times. Most cardboard boxes take up a lot of space even when collapsed, so services pick them up on different days or require you to deliver them. Put a call into your waste management company or instructions or ask for a drop off point you can take the boxes to yourself.
Put the Cardboard to Use Yourself
You can repurpose your boxes without sending them to the recycling plants. Consider the following:
For Compost: If you make compost, throw your cardboard boxes into the pile. They will break down into mulching for gardening. You can compost boxes damaged by food or water but avoid incorporating boxes soiled by chemicals.
For Protecting Your Floors: If you intend to paint your new home, your cardboard will come in handy for protecting your floor from paint spills. Cut open your boxes to make them bigger and tape them together to protect a wood floor or carpet.
Lastly, rather than recycle or repurpose your boxes, be a good neighbor, and consider gifting them to someone that is moving. Check with your real estate agent to see if another client could use your boxes.
About the Author
Kyung Kim
Hi, I'm Kyung Kim. I immigrated from South Korea to the United States in 1968 when I was 7 years old. I have seen my mom struggle with the English language and work hard to raise her four kids by herself. Still to this day, I don't know how she pulled it off, but she bought her first home in 1979 for $70,000 and because of that decision, she was able to live without worrying about her financial future. I want that for everyone, to feel the pride of home ownership and to build their financial wealth using real estate as part of their financial portfolio. I feel so blessed to play a small role in helping others reach this goal.
I live in Beaverton with my husband, Richard. My mom, who lived with us for several years, passed away in our home in February 2022. Her first home purchase in 1979 made it possible for her to live to the very end, without worrying about her finances. As of August 2022 with a little downpayment assistance, our four children own their own homes. Being in real estate, I quickly realized that if they didn't buy now, they may be priced out of the market in the future. Whether that would have been the case, we will never know, but what we do know is that they are all realizing some good, healthy appreciation in their home values.
As passionate as I am about people owning their homes, I'm also passionate about giving back to our community. I support Compassion First, a non-profit organization that provides aftercare for sex trafficked girls in Indonesia. My husband and I also feel called to financially support social injustice organizations.
I'd love to assist you. Whether you're in the research phase at the beginning of your real estate search or you know exactly what you're looking for, you'll benefit from having a real estate professional by your side. I'd be honored to put my real estate experience to work for you.
