How to Get Rid of Boxes After Moving House

Ask your removal company first

Many removal companies, including ours, collect clean, flattened cartons from customers within their service area for reuse. This is the most efficient option available, since it saves the next family money on materials and avoids unnecessary waste entirely.

Call ahead to arrange a collection date rather than leaving boxes out on the pavement, and make sure they are flattened and free of tape before the crew arrives.

Sell or give boxes away locally

If collection is not available in your area, local selling groups and community apps are usually the fastest way to clear a full set of boxes. People actively search for free moving boxes, and a full stack tends to go within a day or two.

• Post in local community Facebook groups
• List on free sections of selling apps
• Check noticeboards at local shops or community centres
• Offer directly to anyone you know who is about to move

Recycling cardboard properly

If boxes cannot be reused, recycling is straightforward provided they are prepared correctly. Most councils accept unlimited flattened cardboard at the kerbside or at a household waste recycling centre, though it is worth checking your council's specific rules on volume.

• Remove all tape, labels and any plastic packaging
• Flatten every box completely to save space
• Check your council's limit on side waste if using kerbside collection
• Take larger volumes directly to a recycling centre

Keep a few boxes back

It is worth holding on to a handful of sturdy cartons rather than getting rid of everything at once. A few boxes in the loft or garage are useful for seasonal storage, and wardrobe boxes in particular are worth keeping since they are more expensive to replace.

• Five or six sturdy standard boxes for general storage
• Any wardrobe boxes, which are reusable for years
• A couple of small boxes for fragile item storage

Other packing materials

Boxes are not the only material left over after a move. Packing paper, bubble wrap and tissue paper can all be reused or recycled, though some items need different treatment.

Why reuse is worth the small effort

Cardboard production has a real environmental cost, and a box that has only been used once has plenty of life left in it. Taking a little time to pass boxes on, whether through your removal company or a local group, is a simple way to reduce waste from the move.