make small boxes out of big ones.

[oompaloompa]

You know all those massive boxes with big orders that arrive, the 4 tall plus ones...

tired of driving them to recycling place...

I always need small boxes, I use several per day, and sometimes have to buy them.....

I tried making smaller boxes out of them, bit time consuming, and they look bit wonky...anyone do this?

[brandnewboss]

Sounds like a lot of work, I just get the free ones from the post office.

[GreenBean]

I do.

Use a guillotine. I vary up the sizes and chop away. Need lots of strips of cardboard to pack certain items. Found that was needed because daft buyers were throwing out the paper wrapped goodies.
I then buy cheap masking tape and wrap everything.

[rsot]

I also routinely cut up the big boxes and re-use them to make small ones - bit more time consuming but it's solid recycling

Masking tape like GB stated works wonders.

[MM78]

I drive up and down alleys looking for boxes.

[ilcarletto]

Very easy oompa, this is what you need!

The Shrinking Raygun

The Shrinking Raygun

[luckoftheirish93]

i do this all the time requires a lot of sticky tape but it saves the planet and you save money so why not?

[phaz0rz]

I recycle boxes daily also. 90% of the time if I sent something out in a box it is a free USPS Priority box, but on occasions when it is cheaper to ship with another service I'll cut a box up in a heartbeat. I've become pretty good at it.

[Haidukken]

Originally Posted by MM78

I drive up and down alleys looking for boxes.

You sure that the only reason why you are lurking around in creepy alleys?


I order packing material in bulk and usually they deliver in huge boxes, so I always re-use cardboard. I want to save the dolphins and stuff, so I try to use everything. Even the plastic bag that they send my bubble wrap in, I use that to stuff some bigger boxes.

Good source for cardboard boxes: Your local supermarket. Whenever I need boxes I just go talk to the store manager and ask them to just NOT bail it at the end of the day and I'll go and collect.
Its free, it saves them time and you know... Why not?

There is also a window company near me that receives all their windows packed in this material:


The owner was out there trying to pack it up, to get rid of it and I just asked if I could take it and he said he would be willing to PAY me to get rid of that stuff, so now I've got a solid supply of that stuff as well.
Customers love it, I love it and by helping myself, I'm actually helping someone out for real and they are happy with the outcome.

Packing material is waste material, and there are so many sources of waste products out there that could be recycled into more useful things- Like packing.

[brandnewboss]

I like to keep it professional looking, a homemade box just wouldn't look right..

Besides who needs to save the planet anyway, the earth is flat...

[MM78]

Originally Posted by Haidukken

You sure that the only reason why you are lurking around in creepy alleys?

You got me...I'm Jack the Ripper's Great-Great-Great-Great-Great Grandson.....

I want to save the dolphins and stuff, so I try to use everything.

Why? Dolphin's make delicious tuna...lol jk

There is also a window company near me that receives all their windows packed in this material:


The owner was out there trying to pack it up, to get rid of it and I just asked if I could take it and he said he would be willing to PAY me to get rid of that stuff, so now I've got a solid supply of that stuff as well.

Lucky!

[phaz0rz]

Originally Posted by brandnewboss

I like to keep it professional looking, a homemade box just wouldn't look right..

Haha that was my state of mind until I sold 3 computers and had to pay $60 to the UPS store for 3 boxes to put them in. If you are good at cutting boxes you can make them look professional. All boxes start as a flat piece of cardboard.

[MM78]

Behold my skills!

[phaz0rz]

^^Now there is someone who knows how to ship on a budget!

[yotano211]

I use a lot of envelopes instead of boxes. I order the bigger 14.5 x19 envelopes and cut them into smaller portions. I am able to cut my envelope costs by 60%.

[yaBeh8ater]

im with mm78. boxes start out flat but even i cant manage to square them out.

That stuff is bulletproof haidukken,. Good work.

Recycling packing material is always a good idea if possible.