Pros and cons of reusing moving supplies

After a successful relocation, one of the frequently asked questions is; what to do with leftover packing supplies? There are many answers to this question. But the best one is to simply reuse them. Although, not all packing materials are meant to be used again. Therefore, we will provide a few valuable tips and tricks for reusing moving supplies. Let us begin.

Reasons for reusing moving supplies

Some of the packing materials are great for reusing. But there are others that must be discarded appropriately, not to endanger the environment:

• Packing tape – You should never reuse packing tape since after you remove it from the box, you’ll realize it lost its bonding power. It is for one use only.
• Styrofoam and packing peanuts – These materials are made of synthetic materials full of chemicals. You should not keep them around for too long. But be sure to recycle them.
• Blister pack – Better known as bubble wrap. This popping wonder will bring a ton of joy to each member of the family. You can reuse it multiple times if you save it from your kids who want to play with it.
• Cardboard box – You can reuse moving boxes infinite times, as long as you keep them dry and in one piece. It is an absolute winner when we talk about moving materials. Moreover, cardboard is reusable for other things, not only to keep items inside.

You can have endless fun using blister packs. But you can keep it intact and reuse it again as well.

What to do with all the leftover packing materials

The first thing that comes to our mind is to reuse your moving boxes as an eco-friendly storage alternative. You can fill your boxes with seasonal items and keep them nicely stacked in your basement or the attic. Make a shelving system out of it and create mini home storage. Although, wherever you keep your boxes, it is imperative that it is a dark and dry place. Even if you break, fold, and stack them nicely, you must store them appropriately. Otherwise, they will deteriorate and get affected by mold and moisture.Furthermore, if you do not want to keep your moving boxes, there are several ways to get them off your hands. You can gift them to your friends and family, maybe they have a better use for it. Then, you can donate to a local shelter, or to a charity organization. Also, you are not the only one that is reusing moving supplies. List them online and you’ll see how many people are interested to obtain moving boxes for a better price. And finally, if you do not want to be bothered with your leftover, simply throw them away. Recycling is the best way to do it. Most people that move declutter before the move, but it should be done after you relocate as well. After you unpack, you’ll have a ton of packing materials lying around your new home. Be sure to recycle, reuse, or throw away to avoid cluttering your new space.

Do not throw away your moving boxes!

Yes, we suggested that you can throw them away. But take a moment and think about it. Moving boxes are green moving supplies that are so useful. There is for sure someone you know that might need them. By providing a set of moving boxes to someone that is about to move, you covered half of the move already. Then, there are artists who will use cardboard boxes to make their crafts. For example, take a box, support sides with the tape, place a blister pack or a blanket inside and you have a custom made bed for pets. And there are numerous other ways for reusing moving supplies, as long as you have the patience for it. Ask your friends, family, neighbors, or coworkers. We are sure you’ll get rid of it in a day.

Moving boxes are meant to be reused. But if you do not need them, be sure to recycle, sell, or donate.

Make the best of it.

You won’t believe it but you can save money while relocating if you sell your packing materials. Essentially, you are reimbursing a portion invested in your relocation. If your boxes are in good shape go ahead and do it. You can sell them online, or simply call one of the moving companies and make a deal. Some of the eco-friendly moving companies are producing, using, and recycling moving boxes. They will pay from 50c up to $2 for a box. Depending on the size, shape, condition, and quality of the box. Now, you do the math. There are at least 50 bucks in materials waiting for you. Although, if you have only a couple of boxes do not bother. Wait a bit until you have more, then do it. Moreover, this is not something you can do only after a move. It can become a habit to dispose of your accumulated cardboard a couple of times a year. Read about it online and find local places where you can make the drop-off.

What if there are no supplies after the move?

If you are reading this before the move, we must say that there is a way to avoid the whole situation. Simply by enlisting a proper moving company with a reliable packing service. Movers will bring all the packing materials, pack, transport, and unpack if you wish so. On the other hand, you can always find cheap plastic bins for moving. Check out this amazing service and rent plastic bins from your local movers. After you are done, give it back and you won’t have any materials lying around the house. There is no need for reusing moving supplies because there are none. Think about it. It is an affordable way to avoid complicated packing and to save some precious time.

Reusing moving supplies can be fun!

Another way to make your packing materials useful again is to get creative with your kids. Yes, assigning a dedicated box to each kid is a good way for keeping kids busy while moving. But also, to engage them while unpacking. Make cardboard puzzles, dollhouses, or a fort. Spare a moment and play with your family using leftover materials. You can make wonders with blister packs and boxes alone. Not to mention that you can make all sorts of science projects. Use your imagination.

Your children will find it funny to hide inside a box. Or to make a maze in your backyard. Make a pick.As you can see, reusing moving supplies can be nice and simple, but quite useful at the same time. It is up to you what you’ll do with your leftover materials. Just keep in mind, that you can always make a choice that will help the environment or someone close to you. Good luck!