Reusing and Recycling Cardboard Boxes

Our top tips on packaging series continues with helpful hints on reusing your cardboard boxes and corrugated cartons - box clever today!

3 reasons to reuse your cardboard boxes and packaging cartons

1) As pressure on the environment and the need for the nation to economise grows, it's now critical to conserve and reuse packaging

2) Reusing packaging is the best form of recycling, because it doesn't require further use of energy, either in converting or transporting the packaging prior to use. It simply extends the life of your cardboard boxes

3) Thinking ahead to how your customer receives their delivery, reducing unnecessary packaging and making it easy for the customer to reuse their cartons and boxes, or other corrugated packaging, could have a positive impact on your environmental credentials

"As a specialist packaging supplies company we believe we have a duty to encourage Customers to give greater thought to the packaging they buy and make better use of the packaging materials they retain."

How to reuse your cardboard boxes instead of buying new cartons

• Plain brown boxes are easier to recycle than custom printed cardboard boxes. So if Companies can use these with removable labels instead of ordering specially printed cartons, the life of the box will be extended.


• When you or your staff accepts deliveries, open cardboard boxes carefully, cutting along any packaging tape. Do not pull open the top, as this may cause the carton to tear or weaken. Avoid cutting or scoring the cardboard, as this will weaken the box


• When empty, store boxes flat. This not only saves space, but avoids unnecessary wear and tear or crushing. To flatten a box, simply cut along the taped join at the bottom and fold flat. Your box will be kept in good condition until it is ready for reuse


• Cardboard boxes come in all shapes and sizes, so in order to reuse you will probably need void fill or other packaging to pack around the item. We suggest reusing bubble wrap, paper from the office shredder or other recycled packaging


• Never write directly on to a cardboard box. Use an address label or documents enclosed label that can be easily covered or removed by the next user


• When assembling cardboard boxes, use packaging tape rather than staples where possible. This is because corrugated cardboard can rip when staples are removed. If you need to send a heavy item, use a heavy duty cardboard box or export carton


• Finally, remember to stack boxes neatly, use corrugated cardboard sheets between layers on a pallet and never over-stack. By doing so you can avoid edge crushing which weakens the box

When your cardboard boxes have reached the end of their usable life, they can be shredded and used as loosefill packaging, or recycled. Most corrugated cartons are made from 100% corrugated kraft board and are therefore suitable for recycling schemes.