Resources for Cardboard Boxes

A Guide to Cardboard Boxes

It’s a funny thing about boxes: they’re never around when you need them.  And when you do have them, you’re usually trying to get rid of them.  If you’re arranging to move or store your things, you might want to get an idea of how to get your hands on them quickly and easily.  Let’s consider your options if you suddenly need some cardboard boxes and don’t quite know where to get them or how to make sure they’re strong enough to make it to the moving truck.

Finding Them

It can be annoying to have to buy the boxes you’ll need only over the course of a single move, so finding ones nearby that have recently been unloaded is an option you’ll want to consider.  Most grocery stores or corner shops get daily deliveries, and will often have fresh-ish boxes in the back; ask around at your local businesses to see if they have any they can give you.  They might be happy to get them taken away early.

Remember to inspect the boxes for tears or moisture – any big falls can mean broken glass or dirty laundry, so keep a careful eye on their condition.  It’s a good idea to patch them with duct or packing tape to make sure the openings are secure.

Buying Them

Worrying about the conditions of your boxes isn’t something you’ll have to do if you shell out for new ones.  However, you may find that getting enough boxes of the right size is more expensive than you thought.  It’s relatively easy to pick up a few small foldout boxes from Staples: getting dozens of large ones for a move is trickier.  The quality has to be high enough to carry your things properly, which usually means thicker cardboard. 

Besides expense, these can be hard to carry and stash, since none of them will be assembled when you buy them.  You’ll have to sit for a while and fold it all into boxes, which is very time-consuming.  Once done, though, you’ll be set up with clean, solid boxes that you can depend on.

Using Them

Make sure to tape all your boxes and shut, and don’t over-pack: aside from the danger of tears, it’ll make it difficult to stack many of them together.  Be sure to label them as precisely as you have patience for, because once you get to the other side it’s very helpful to know where everything is at a glance.

Conclusion

Cardboard boxes are useful to have around, but once assembled can be hard to store properly.  It’s probably best to recycle them when you’re done – cardboard recycles very easily – and start over again the next time you move.