how to recycle your cardboard boxes at home

Once you have received your goodies from VavaVida, you can give our boxes yet another life. Here are a few tips on what to do with your box.

How you can recycle your boxes

1. Children’s toys

The imagination of a child is a beautiful thing. Where someone might see just an old box, a child sees a spaceship, a boat, a toy oven or a new dollhouse. Encourage the creativity. I see it in my daughter. She does all of that and more every time we get something in the mail.

2. DIY Up-cycled storage containers

Put your creativity skills into motion and decorate your box for a cheap-chic storage option. If you are the type to carefully open presents, reuse the wrapping paper to cover a box and you have an instant bin for craft supplies or whatever else you fancy.

3. Cardboard shelves

We saw this idea on Pinterest and fell in love. It is perfect for a garage, craft-room child’s room or anywhere you want it.

4. In the Garden

Believe it or not, you can tear up cardboard and it makes great mulch. Who knew!

5. Gift boxes

There is always a holiday, birthday or anniversary around the corner. Go the green route and utilize a recycled box instead of buying a gift box.

WARNING: Do not recycle…

Pizza boxes

Most people assume that pizza boxes are recyclable and for a good reason – it says so on the box. BUT, it’s just because those boxes are made from recycled cardboard themselves. So yes, they are recyclable but with a major catch. What makes them non-recyclable is the grease and cheese of that yummy pizza you ordered that spoils the cardboard. In fact, I’ll be more precise and tell you that if it’s tainted with grease OR food, it’s NOT recyclable - unless you remove the tainted parts.

Compromise solution: remove the top and put it in the recyclable bin and put the bottom in the trash.