4 Ways to Reuse Your Imperfect Box

Wondering what to do with your Imperfect box after you’ve unpacked your groceries?

Sure, you can always recycle it and in some areas we can even take your box back, but when it comes to preventing waste, it’s always best to reuse things whenever possible. So, if you’re looking to reduce waste or just want to get creative, here are a few ways to give more life to your Imperfect box!

Use it to sheet mulch your yard. Sheet mulching is an easy way to use your old cardboard to build a better garden. By creating a lasagna of compost and old cardboard, you build a new type of soil that won’t dry out and is rich in nutrients. It will also help your soil retain water better and suppress weeds. It’s an ideal way to help turn your lawn into a garden. What are you waiting for?

Get crafty! With a pair of scissors and your imagination, you can turn your old cardboard into fun and useful things like postcards (who doesn’t like a handwritten thank you letter these days? ), coasters, and more! You can also use those craft instincts to create a fort for a cat or dog in your life.

Organize your closet. Many of us are trying to get organized these days, and sometimes all it takes is a few boxes to finally tidy up those books, clothes, or gear you’ve been piling in the corner. Try cutting up your old cardboard to create easy dividers for your drawers. With a little bit of spare cardboard and some creative upcycling ideas, your living space can be more functional and less wasteful than ever!

Share with a neighbor. We know it might sound a bit odd, but you honestly never know who else in your community might need a cardboard box to move, organize, or build the world’s best homemade halloween costume.  Try offering your boxes on Craigslist’s free stuff section, Nextdoor, or Buy Nothing. Alternatively, try talking to a local food pantry or nonprofit to see if they could use your boxes. Through our work with food banks we were surprised to learn that many of them spend a lot of money on new cardboard boxes to distribute food to their clients, so you never know what a nonprofit might be lacking until you ask. Your used boxes could enjoy an ideal second life as vehicles for giving back!