What to Do with Packing Materials After a Move

When your items arrive and you have all the moving boxes at your new home, the hardest part of the relocation is over. You don’t have to rush and you can unpack in your own time without worrying about deadlines. While unpacking is certainly less stressful than packing, it still requires some time and strategy. You have to focus on one room at a time, open all the boxes, and put each belonging in its designated area. After you’re through with taking all of your items out of the boxes, there’s just one last thing to figure out − what to do with packing materials?

You certainly don’t want clutter in your new home, but you also don’t want to just throw away perfectly fine materials that you invested in. There are two options: to keep them or dispose of them. In the following text, we’ll give you a few ideas on what to do with packing materials after a move, whether you decide to repurpose or recycle them.

Option one: Keep the packing materials

Moving Boxes

Use them for relocation

If you’re planning to move again in the near future, you can simply store the boxes away until then. Check if all the moving boxes are in good condition, and it’ll be an extremely convenient solution when the next relocation comes. There’s no need to throw good boxes away if you have enough space to store them, and you can also break them down for easier storage.

Use them for storage

Even if you don’t plan on moving anytime soon, you can still put cardboard boxes to good use. They can serve as storage, for example, if you have extra things that aren’t used or if you want to store extra items in your garage. You can label them for better organization and you’ll locate items quickly when you know what’s in each box.

Give them to someone who’s moving

If you know someone who’s planning a move, why not give moving boxes to them? It will be a real time-saver for them and you won’t have to think about another way to use them. If none of your friends or colleagues are about to move, post an ad for your boxes online. Use social platforms or selling websites to give boxes away, and you’ll be surprised with how many people actually need something that’s no longer of use to you. You can even try to sell them by using the same platforms; just put a symbolic price in order to sell them fast.

Use them for other purposes

If you don’t have the patience to post ads and get rid of the boxes, you can use them for other purposes. Besides being great storage, moving boxes can also be used as shipping containers. You can also get creative and play with your children by making a castle, a fort, a maze, or anything else that comes to mind. Engaging your kid in fun activities is one of the best ways to reuse moving boxes.

Packing Paper

Use it again

Packing paper can still be great for other purposes besides packing. In case your new home needs to be painted, you can cover floors and furniture with packing paper to protect them from paint. Even if it’s slightly damaged, it will still serve the purpose.

Bubble wrap

Use it for packing

Even though bubble wrap is generally cost-effective, there’s no need for purchasing it again if you already have it. You can always reuse it when you have to pack or ship something, and you’ll definitely need it for a future move.

Use it for insulation

Your delicate plants, doors, or windows can benefit from bubble wrap during the winter months. It’s great for insulation and it’s a cheap solution that you already have.

Use it for fun

While being such a versatile packing material, bubble wrap is probably best known for being plain fun. Who doesn’t enjoy popping the air bubbles?

Packing peanuts

Use it for house projects

Since you’ve already invested in packing peanuts, there’s no reason not to repurpose them. Form a drainage system in your flower pots, or make some kind of creative project, such as a holiday wreath. If you have children, they’ll probably find packing peanuts fun, just keep in mind that Styrofoam peanuts can present a choking hazard, so keep an eye on your kids.

Option Two: Dispose of the packing materials

In case none of the above works for you, you can recycle the packing materials after the move. In the following text, we’ll give you a few quick tips on recycling the biggest part of your packing leftovers – boxes. If boxes are broken and can’t be used for something practical, you’ll want to get rid of them. Try to be responsible when disposing of the cardboard boxes by following these steps:

Separate boxes from the rest

To properly dispose of the moving boxes, you’ll want to keep cardboard separated from the trash before you leave it in the designated area for pick-up.

Break them down

The next step is to break down and flatten out each cardboard box. By doing this, you can stack them up and tie them together to make a bundle.

Pay attention to the container

Double check if the container you’re using is designated for this purpose. You want to be careful and use the correct container when recycling moving boxes.

Check local regulations

Depending on the area where you live, there might be a pick-up schedule and specific days for recyclables. But in case that the place you live in doesn’t offer pick-up, you’ll have to look for a recycling center and drop off the boxes yourself.

If you’re looking for a trustworthy local moving company Brooklyn to assist with your upcoming move, get in touch with Rabbit Movers today and get a free moving quote.