What to do with boxes after moving

Highlights

  • After unpacking your things in the new place, you’ll be left with too many cardboard boxes of various sizes. What do you do with all those containers?
  • Basically, you can choose to keep, sell, give away, or throw away for recycling all the empty moving boxes depending on their degree of wear and tear.
  • The good thing is that you’ve got plenty of good options whatever you choose to do with your cardboard containers – you only need to know what those options are.
  • Read on to learn what you should do with the boxes you just unpacked so that they don’t stand in your way after the move.

Moving day may be finally over (Congratulations!), but the huge piles of cardboard boxes scattered around the new home will keep reminding you that it’s not yet time to relax. Yes, you should know all too well that there’s one high-priority task left to be done – unpacking.

According to a rough estimate, 60 is the average number of boxes used per move. So, regardless of whether you’ve reached that statistical number or not, you’ll surely start wondering what to do with all the empty boxes as soon as you unpack the very first cardboard container.

Seriously, what to do with cardboard boxes after moving?

Maybe you’d better keep those cardboard boxes because you never know when you might need them again. Or maybe you should try to sell them and make a profit? Is it better to just give them away? You may also realize that it’s best to recycle some of those cardboard cartons as well.

Divided into 4 major categories for easier identification (KEEP, SELL, GIVE AWAY, RECYCLE), here are the top 20 things to do with moving boxes after a move.

1. KEEP – Store boxes for a future move

While wondering what to do with moving boxes, know that the most logical option is to break them down and store those boxes until your next move.

That makes sense, doesn’t it? If you do plan to move out again within a year or so, you’ll want to keep the cleanest and strongest cardboard containers so that you can save yourself the hassle of looking for free moving boxes or spending money to purchase new ones.

So, flatten out the best moving boxes you are left with after unpacking and store them away from moisture and direct sunlight. Place the boxes in large plastic bags (heavy-duty trash bags work fine) to keep out dust and possible critters such as termites, roaches, spiders, etc.

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2. KEEP – Use boxes for storage

Once you finish unpacking, you may realize that some of the items you’ve just unpacked will need to go to storage. In such cases, you’ll find out it’s very convenient to keep a number of clean and sturdy cardboard boxes where you can place all the things you won’t be using right away.

When using boxes for storage, make sure you pick only the ones with minimum wear and tear from the recent move. Fill the cartons with the items meant for storage, label the containers again, and then take them to the walk-in closet, garage, attic, basement, or another storage area in the new residence.

How to Pack Items for Storage

3. KEEP – Keep boxes for DIY home projects

While it does make sense to keep used boxes for a future move and long-term storage, you should also keep a good number of cardboard boxes for various DIY projects around the new home.

Here are some interesting ideas that will encourage you to re-purpose your used moving boxes:

  • Gift-wrapping. Moving boxes can become great gift-wrapping boxes during holiday seasons or on birthdays;
  • Floor protection. Use flattened cardboard boxes to protect floors whenever you need to do a paint job, change the oil of your car, or do another job that involves stain-prone liquids.
  • Frame mountings. Create cardboard backings from used moving boxes to keep paintings, posters, photos, and other framed art from drooping inside their frames.

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4. KEEP – Use boxes in the garden

If you just moved into a house with a yard and you have a thing for gardening, then another thing you can do with moving boxes is to transfer their versatility and practicality into the garden.

You can use cardboard for simple things such as kneeling on large cardboard pieces when you’re working in the garden. Also, you may choose to use some of the cardboard boxes as self-recycling bins for compost.

Still, the best use for cardboard boxes in your yard should be as weed killers. Place flattened moving boxes over weed-filled areas in the garden, then cover those cardboard pieces with mulch and just wait a week or so until the weeds and their seeds are killed due to the generated heat and blocked sunshine.

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5. KEEP – Save boxes for play and entertainment

Don’t throw away your boxes just yet!

Everybody knows that cardboard boxes can offer hours of fun and entertainment. If you just moved house with small children, then summon up your creativity and build cardboard forts, castles, and even mazes for your little ones.

Create a puppet theater out of a large moving box or construct a playhouse or a dollhouse out of cardboard containers. Make cardboard costumes out of several smaller boxes to turn your little son into a valiant knight or your daughter into an alien robot.

Cardboard is perfectly safe for humans and animals alike, and can be used for creating comfortable pet beds. Most cats enjoy crawling into cardboard boxes for a good night’s sleep.

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6. SELL – Ask your movers to buy back unused boxes

If you keep wondering what to do with your cardboard boxes after a move, it’s useful to know that you’ve got plenty of options. Besides the smart decision to keep those cardboard containers, another path you can follow is to try to sell your boxes and make a profit out of it all.

When you’re done unpacking, contact your moving company and ask them if they would like to buy back all your gently used or even unused moving boxes. In some instances, your movers may save you the trouble by coming up with that buy-back offer first.

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7. SELL – Sell boxes on BoxCycle

Ok, so you’ve decided that you won’t keep the majority of your boxes and you’d like to earn some cash by selling them. That’s fine, but where to sell used moving boxes?

One good option is to list your boxes for sale on BoxCycle – a website that connects eager box sellers with even more eager box buyers wishing to cut their packing expenses.

Selling used boxes on BoxCycle is simple enough: you create a listing, the website handles the sale details and then you schedule a time for the buyer to pick up the boxes. It’s free to list your boxes for sale on the website, but you will be charged a small commission once the sale is finalized.

8. SELL – Sell boxes on Craigslist

If you’ve made up your mind to sell your used moving boxes for extra cash, then you should try doing so on Craigslist – one of the most popular online resources for buying and selling packing materials, including cardboard boxes.

Head to Craigslist and create a listing in the General section or the Garage & Moving Sales section. Keep in mind that the website offers many packing supplies for free, so you’ll only have a good chance of selling your boxes after the move if those containers are in very good condition – that is, gently used.

9. SELL – Sell boxes on U-Haul Box Exchange

Another option to get rid of your boxes with a profit is to do it through U-Haul Customer Connect.

Luckily, U-Haul offers several programs that allow their customers to get together, share truck rides, and even buy and sell boxes with each other. The initiative of exchanging moving supplies is aimed at providing benefits for people on the move, communities, and of course – the environment by keeping usable moving supplies out of landfills.

Visit U-Haul Box Exchange, then enter your location in the search field to connect with other people searching to purchase moving boxes for their move.

10. SELL – Sell boxes through NextDoor

Since you’ve just moved to a new neighborhood in a new town or city, a good option to sell your moving boxes is to use NextDoor – the private social network for your neighborhood. Currently used in over 181,000 neighborhoods across the country, NextDoor is a great way to stay informed about what is happening in the neighborhood.

So, here’s your chance to inform your new neighbors that you have good moving boxes for sale. Sign up for free, introduce yourself to the people living around you, and see if anybody is interested in buying moving supplies from you.

11. GIVE AWAY – Give away boxes to neighbors

If you’re anxious to get rid of your cardboard moving boxes after unpacking, then you can always choose to give them away to people who need them more than you do.

Giving moving boxes for free is an excellent option when your cardboard containers are still usable (not yet destined for recycling) and you don’t feel like going through the trouble of selling them for profit.

The easiest way to get rid of boxes fast is to offer them to interested neighbors. If you’ve moved into an apartment building, ask the property manager to let people know that you have good boxes you’re willing to give for free.

Another option is to inform your neighbors about the used moving boxes for sale through the neighborhood app NextDoor (See #10).

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12. GIVE AWAY – Give away boxes to friends

As long as your cardboard receptacles are in good condition and can be reused for at least another house move, you shouldn’t have any problems giving them away to people who are looking for free moving boxes. After all, who wouldn’t want to have their hands on free cardboard boxes?

Do consider helping out some of your friends by offering them your used moving boxes free of charge. The easiest way to inform your pals is to create a post on your preferred social media network.

Rest assured that a Facebook post like I’m offering free moving boxes. Is anyone interested? will not only get numerous Likes but a few to-be-expected replies as well.

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13. GIVE AWAY – Use Craigslist in the new city

As we discussed earlier (See #8), Craigslist is arguably the most famous online place for getting rid of moving boxes regardless of whether you wish to sell your packing supplies or give them away for free.

And now that you’ve decided that you’ll gift your available cardboard boxes to anyone who has a dire need for them, it’s time to turn to Craigslist in the new town or city you just moved to.

This time make sure you create a listing for your boxes in the Free section of the website and you’ll notice how fast your cardboard boxes will be gone out of your new home.

14. GIVE AWAY – Join the Freecycle Network

If you’re not sure what to do with the empty boxes after moving, then do the right thing and give them away to people who are desperately searching for free moving boxes in an attempt to cut moving costs.

Another good way to give away your leftover boxes after you move is to join the Freecycle Network. Freecycle is a non-profit organization with more than 9 million registered users worldwide and its mission is to keep still usable items off the garbage dumps.

Freecycle membership will cost you nothing and everything that is offered on the website is also free. It’s really easy to get rid of your boxes after moving – just create a free listing for your packing supplies and watch them go.

15. GIVE AWAY – Give away boxes on U-Haul Box Exchange

Depending on how they are handled and stored, cardboard boxes can be used multiple times before they are no longer structurally sound.

So, why would you throw away for recycling perfectly good moving boxes when you can do something good for your community? Why not let other people have what you don’t already want and need?

Again, use the U-Haul Box Exchange to get rid of your boxes after the move. Only this time, you’ll need to specify that you’re offering the packing materials for free instead of wanting money for them.

16. GIVE AWAY – Place boxes on the curb

If you wish to give away your leftover boxes in the easiest way possible, you can just place them on the curb. In most cases, it won’t be long before somebody stops and picks them up. You can even write FREE MOVING BOXES on a piece of cardboard to encourage people in need to just take them away.

However, before you decide to put your unwanted boxes on the curb, make sure the local regulations allow it. Also, check whether the spot on which you intend to leave the boxes has been designated for that purpose – after all, you wouldn’t want to be fined for illegal curbside recycling of cardboard.

17. GIVE AWAY – Donate boxes to charity

Giving away your boxes by just leaving them at designated places can mean that those cardboard containers may not get used for their intended purpose. One way to fix that “issue” is to donate your boxes to charity because then at least you’ll know that the containers you’re giving away get used for something useful and meaningful.

Most charities tend to organize events where they need to move lots of items back and forth. And that is why they should be enthusiastic to take your sturdy moving boxes.

Where to donate boxes? Get in touch with several charities in your area and ask if they need moving boxes.

Where to Donate Used Items When Moving

18. RECYCLE – Recycle boxes through your movers

In addition to your KEEP, SELL and GIVE AWAY options when you’re wondering what to do with moving boxes after moving, you can also choose to end the life cycle of your cardboard boxes through proper recycling.

Of course, the RECYCLE option is only good for containers that are in bad shape and cannot be reused or re-purposed.

After you’re done with unpacking, contact your moving company to check if they happen to participate in any recycling programs. If they do, then you should be able to arrange for them to come and pick up your unwanted moving boxes and other packing materials for recycling.

Also, it’s good to know that some professional movers offer cardboard box removal services for a fee.

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19. RECYCLE – Throw away boxes for curbside recycling

As far as cardboard recycling options go, the quickest way to just throw away the moving boxes you won’t ever need is to just leave them in special recycling bins to be picked up by the waste disposal service workers in your town or city.

Learn more about the curbside collection schemes in your area by visiting your official city page or contacting the waste management company in your area.

When throwing away cardboard boxes for curbside recycling, waste sorting is an important part of the recycling process, so make sure you’re dumping the cardboard containers into the right recycle bin (THE BLUE RECYCLE BIN is usually the one for paper and cardboard).

20. RECYCLE – Take boxes to a local recycling center

How to dispose of cardboard boxes after the move? Without a doubt, the safest way to do so is to take all the boxes that barely made the move (in bad condition) or didn’t survive the relocation journey at all (broken or torn) to a local recycling center.

Break down, arrange, and load in your vehicle all the no longer usable boxes for their final trip to the nearest recycling center. If possible, complete this cardboard recycling trip in one go as you wouldn’t want to spend extra money on gas or waste too much time either.

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6 Comments

  1. I like your suggestion to take the boxes to a local recycling center. My husband and I will be moving soon. I’m glad you suggested a responsible thing to do with the boxes afterwards.

  2. My family is moving soon and I wanted some tips on unpacking and how to make that process easier. I didn’t know you could sell the cardboard boxes you used for your move back to the moving company you hired. That could put some money back in my pocket for the future, so I’ll make sure to ask the movers I hire what their buy-back offer is, thanks to this post!

  3. Hey thanks for the idea, recently i have moved to my new address and I didn’t know what to do with the boxes. Thanks for the idea of recycling and DIY

  4. Hey, thanks for sharing that fabulous idea. It’s really helped me while a change of my address. Can you make one blog on how to hold mail at the post office

  5. Thank for the article, it was helpful. I know you can donate your cardboard boxes on BoxGiver

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