What to Do with Packing Material Leftovers

It is very important to have a wide range of high-quality packing materials when moving home. That is because a well-packed item will not be scratched or damaged during the relocation. Also, it will be easy to handle and to transport. But what happens if you end up with a lot of packing supply leftovers after the move? What are you supposed to do with all the unused:

• Moving boxes and crates
• Bubble wrap
• Packing paper
• Packing peanuts

You can simply throw them away but that will be like throwing money in the bin, right! Well, in some cases, this will be the only option you will have. In others, however, there will be other more practical solutions.

Moving boxes

Moving boxes do not need to be brand-new in order to be used again. Therefore, if your packing boxes are clean and they are not torn or misshaped, don’t hesitate to give them a second life. For example, you can use them to store items in your basement or garage or you can even sell them. You will be surprised to see how many people are looking for used packing boxes online! Another thing you can do is to keep them and use them for your next move or for some other situation in the future. However, if you think of following this plan, make sure you store the boxes in a dry place so that they can remain in a good condition. Those of you who decide to throw away their moving boxes should better give them for recycling because that is the responsible thing to do.

Packing paper and bubble wrap

Similar to boxes, packing paper can also be easily recycled or reused. Again, you can give your leftover paper to a recycling centre or you can use it to pack possessions which you plan to store away.

Bubble wrap can also be recycled but before you do that, let your kids or pets pop all of the bubbles. If you don’t have children, we are sure you will enjoy popping them yourself (admit it). Also, you can wrap your windows with bubble wrap in the winter. This particular packing material makes an excellent insulator and it can help you reduce your electricity bills during the coldest days of the year.

Packing peanuts

Packing peanuts can be quite tricky or even impossible to recycle, especially if they are made of Styrofoam. This is a material that is non-biodegradable and it is even health-threatening. So, if you have Styrofoam packing peanuts, send them to a company that can reuse them. When it comes down to starch packing peanuts, however, you can degrade them all by yourself. Just put them in water or cut them into smaller pieces and place them in your potted plants and they will dissolve in a natural way.

Special packing materials

You never know when you may need your special and customised moving boxes or your high-quality crates. That is why you should keep them. There is no point in trying to sell your personalised packing supplies because they were created to specifically cater your needs and they won’t be appreciated by many other people.