Types of Environmentally Friendly Boxes

by Laura Rico

Tons of cardboard from boxes ends up in landfills each year, so environmentally conscious people are looking for more eco-friendly boxes. A box can be environmentally friendly if it is manufactured in a green way, if it is reusable or recycled.

Some people choose to seek out environmentally friendly boxes

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U.S. Postal Service Boxes

Boxes manufactured for the United States Postal Service are recyclable, but they are also created in an energy-efficient way. The design of the box considers water and energy use during the manufacturing process. According to the USPS website, the green manufacturing process of a half-billion boxes and cardboard envelopes each year results in the prevention of over 15,000 metric tons of carbon-equivalent emissions that would be produced in traditional manufacturing. USPS boxes can be purchased at any post office or from the USPS Website.

Non-disposable Boxes

For people who need boxes for storage or even for moving, non-disposable boxes can be an economical option. Non-disposable boxes are usually made of plastic, and come in many different sizes and colors. Non-disposables are more expensive than cardboard boxes, but are still affordable, from $5 to $25 depending on size and brand, and easy to find at most stores that sell home items. Plastic boxes can help keep stored items dry in basements and garages, and tends to be sturdier for heavy items. These boxes can be reused over and over again for many years and for a variety of purposes. Non-disposable boxes are also ideal for moving because the boxes often stack well for transport. There are a growing number of companies, like Rent A Green Box in Southern California, that will loan their non-disposable boxes for people who are moving but don't want to purchase their own boxes.
Recycled Boxes

When a person needs to purchase a cardboard box, he can look for one that is a recycled box. Some brand new boxes will have a label on them that indicates it was previously recycled. Another way to use a "recycled" box is to reuse a cardboard container from a local business, grocery store or neighbor. People who receive a box in the mail can save the box and reuse it later for any purpose. Those who have cardboard boxes but wish to dispose of them, should recycle the boxes at a local recycling station or through the waste pickup service.