Recycling cardboard boxes after a move may seem like enough. You may feel that you are being environmentally friendly and doing something good for the planet.
You may already know the facts: recycling one ton of cardboard and paper can save 17 trees, around 7,000 gallons of water and about 3.5 cubic yards of landfill space. That is why you recycle your moving boxes, but is it really making as much of a difference as you think?
Your Recycling May Not Be Recycled Anymore
Because of changes in China, as explained in this article from The New York Times, some cardboard, plastic and paper placed in recycling bins may still end up in landfills. China stopped accepting much of the “foreign garbage” it used to receive and a large amount of recyclable material from the U.S. was previously sent there for processing. Because of this, the cardboard boxes you recycle after moving may still be sent to a landfill.
Not All Cardboard Can Be Recycled
Besides the chance that your recycling may still end up in a landfill, some cardboard cannot be recycled at all. If cardboard gets wet or something spills on it, it may no longer be suitable for recycling. So, if it rains or snows on moving day, some of your moving boxes may have to be thrown in the trash instead of the recycling bin.
Planning to recycle your cardboard moving boxes after the move does not always mean your move is fully eco-friendly. Also, the process of making cardboard moving boxes is not very environmentally friendly.
Manufacturing Cardboard
Making cardboard releases harmful gases at different stages of the process. These gases go into the air every day. Recycling cardboard has helped reduce about half of these emissions but avoiding cardboard completely can reduce them even more.
Cardboard manufacturers are now trying to improve their production methods so they release fewer harmful gases. Still, they are not the only ones who can make a difference. When you move, you do not have to use cardboard boxes. You can choose green moving boxes that are made to be reused instead of recycled or thrown away.
Why Choose Green Moving Boxes?
Using cardboard boxes comes with the chance that some of them may not be recyclable. If they get wet, they can also become weak and may damage the items inside. Green moving boxes do not have this problem because rain or snow does not weaken them.
Green moving boxes are made once and can be used hundreds or even thousands of times before they need to be replaced. Cardboard moving boxes are usually used only once and then either thrown away or recycled, and even recycled boxes may still end up in the trash.
If you want to move in an eco-friendly way, recycling cardboard boxes may not be enough. Even if recycling seems better for the environment, some boxes may not be recyclable and some recycled cardboard may still end up in a landfill.
Instead, you can use green moving boxes for a more eco-friendly move. These boxes are reused instead of recycled. They are strong and can protect your belongings better while also helping to protect the environment.