Shipping Boxes Galore!
Most of us do some amount of online shopping these days, and some of us do a whole lot. The most sustainable practice is to reduce the amount of shopping you do, and the most sustainable way you can shop is to buy durable products that are locally produced and sold. However, if you are going to shop online there are some steps you can take to reduce the waste you create. Look for companies with conscientious shipping and packaging practices such as carbon neutral delivery. Try to order everything you need from a company that will deliver your goods in one shipment.
When you do end up with cardboard boxes, give them another use. Cardboard can be recycled, but try to get as much use out of the box in its current form as possible. Cardboard boxes can be used for storage, as gift boxes and for a surprising amount of DIY projects that can be found online. Here are some cool ideas from around the web:
- Use cardboard to create a lasagna garden.
- Make stylish cardboard storage totes or a space-saving shoe rack.
- Repurpose cardboard into a fun playhouse.
Reuse Boxes by Shipping Donations at No Cost
If you have extra cardboard boxes and some items you no longer use, consider donating through Give Back Box. Give Back Box is a non-profit that provides charitable organizations with an IT and logistical infrastructure, through which donated items are routed to the nearest participating charitable organization. Simply visit their website, print out a shipping label and mail your box full of good quality, reusable items. Give Back Box will route your box to the nearest participating organization, who will resell the items and use the profits to further their missions.