Reuse & Recycling
The Greenest Box Is Often the One That Already Exists
Reusing a corrugated box that is still in good shape avoids making a new one. When a box is worn out, recycling keeps its fiber in use. Seattle Boxes connects buyers and sellers of used boxes in the Seattle area with partner suppliers that handle both.
Reuse Before Recycle
Recycling corrugated cardboard is better than landfilling it, but a recycled box still has to be collected, transported, repulped, pressed, dried, and formed into new board.
When a box is reused, those steps are skipped for that box. The practical approach is to reuse boxes while they still have structural life left, and recycle them once they do not.
What Goes Into a New Box
Each stage of making a box takes material and energy. Reuse avoids the stages a box has already been through.
Harvesting & Pulping
A box made from virgin fiber starts with wood that is chipped and pulped to separate cellulose fibers. Recycled fiber skips the harvest but still has to be repulped.
Reusing a box skips this stage.
Cleaning & Refining
Pulp is cleaned and refined to the fiber characteristics the mill needs. This takes water, energy, and process chemicals.
Reusing a box skips this stage.
Sheet Forming & Drying
Fibers are spread onto a moving screen, pressed, and dried on heated cylinders to make linerboard and corrugating medium. Drying is one of the most energy-intensive parts of papermaking.
Reusing a box skips this stage.
Corrugating & Converting
The medium is formed into flutes and glued between liner sheets. The combined board is then scored, slotted, and folded into finished boxes.
Reusing a box skips this stage.
Printing & Finishing
Many boxes are printed and some are coated, which adds inks, plates, and more energy.
A reused box keeps the print it already has.
Use, Reuse, and Recycling
A box that is still structurally sound after its first trip can often be used again. When it is too worn to reuse, it can be recycled into new paper products.
Reuse first, then recycle.
Keep Boxes in Use Longer
Open Boxes Carefully
Cutting tape along the seam instead of tearing flaps keeps a box reusable.
Keep Boxes Dry
Moisture weakens corrugated board. Store flattened boxes off the floor and under cover.
Sort by Size
Bundling boxes of the same size makes them easier to reuse or to sell as surplus.
Recycle the Rest
Wet, contaminated, or crushed boxes belong in recycling. Check your local hauler or city rules for what they accept.
Have Boxes to Reuse or Recycle?
Send a free quote request to sell surplus boxes or arrange recycling, and a partner supplier will follow up.