When it comes to versatile, utilitarian objects around the house and office, few things are more practical and in demand than cardboard storage boxes. Whether you are permanently situated in your location at home or at work, you’re sure to have cardboard boxes somewhere to hold some of your excess ’stuff’. This can range from highly cherished items such as comic books or family photos to blueprints for an addition on your home or for storing your best and rarely used china safely out of harm’s way from day to day activities. Another popular use that may fit into this kind of category would be labeling certain boxes as your Christmas ornament storage boxes, to be protected at least as much as your old china set!
On the other hand, for people on the move, cardboard boxes are an absolute necessity. Whether you’re moving from one office to another just down the hall at work, or moving your entire home and family across the country or the other side of the globe, you’ll use cardboard boxes to store your belongings safely, and cardboard shipping boxes are standard operating procedure for anything you plan to send by post, FedEx, UPS or any other kind of shipping company. Because cardboard boxes are light and sturdy while also creating a built in layer of protection from the ‘corrugated’ aspect of its construction, there is little doubt that cardboard shipping boxes and storage boxes will continue to be with us for a very long time, despite their rather low-tech nature.
Another benefit of cardboard boxes is that they can be, and often are, made from post consumer recycled products. Not only that, but cardboard itself is recyclable and, unless it is treated with some sort of unusual coating, it is quite biodegradable, making it far more environmentally friendly than some plastic alternatives.
When cardboard boxes are constructed, it is done in three layers. The outside layers are essentially heavy paper liners while the layer that is sandwiched between them is corrugated; essentially made of ridges or waves. By having this ‘three dimensional’ layer in the middle, it creates an inherent cushion. It allows some ‘give’ to the box, or to the contents of the box, rather than being up against a completely non-forgiving surface. Nonetheless, when items which are somewhat fragile are shipped or put into storage, additional padding will be required to ensure the safety of the contents. This might be as simple as wadded up old newspaper, or as advanced as inflated plastic air pockets. Styrofoam packing ‘peanuts’ are another option that is often used in conjunction with cardboard shipping boxes.
Because cardboard boxes are so widely used, it is not too difficult to find them used. Used cardboard boxes are the ultimate cheap storage box because many companies and businesses have so many of them, from receiving shipments all the time, they’re happy to give them away. But… be sure to ASK first. Don’t just assume that because you see some boxes laying around out back behind a business that it’s OK for you to take them. Doing so without asking permission is stealing.
So whether you’re looking for shoe storage boxes, photo storage boxes, boxes to store toys, cds, dvds, magazines or other documents, or if you’re getting ready to relocate and you need some boxes for moving, cardboard storage boxes are there, waiting and ready to do the job for you. What’s more is that with just a little bit of work you should easily be able to find some cheap moving boxes, or even free boxes, if you just ask around some local businesses if they have any extra cardboard storage boxes they want to get rid of.