In today’s society, our biggest concern is helping the environment in every way. Recycling and reusing materials as a habit are something we should all do. At Station Courier, we want to educate everyone on how to reuse materials for shipping packages and pallets. Reusing boxes can make you feel good. You are saving the environment! You are reducing waste! You are saving money! But have you made a mistake? How to properly reuse express boxes？
Benefits Of Reusing Materials For Shipping
Sending packages or packages requires the use of many different materials such as cardboard, paper, polystyrene, and bubble wrap. All of these materials can be easily reused by simply keeping the received materials inside the package.
Reuse of any type of material reduces the amount of waste that would otherwise end up taking up more space in landfills. In addition to helping the environment, you can also save yourself money. Buying all the materials needed to safely wrap an item can add to the cost – why waste your hard-earned money on something that can be reused?
What Reusable Packaging Materials Can You Use?
If you send and receive packages or parcels on a regular basis, you’ll know the types of materials you need to keep your items safe inside the carton. Polystyrene, bubble wrap, and packing nuts are all made of plastic – materials we should definitely reuse to reduce the amount of single-use plastic circulating around the world. These are easy to store at home or in the office and ready to use when you need to send your own package or parcel.
Can I Reuse Boxes For Shipping
It’s a common misconception that you have to use a brand new carton to ship the item. As long as the carton is in good, sturdy condition, it is absolutely appropriate to reuse the carton. It is also acceptable if the box already has an existing logo or brand on it. The only thing we would ask is that any existing barcodes are well covered, as this might create some confusion for our warehouse and delivery teams.
5 Tips To Reuse Boxes For Shipping
Reusing boxes can make you feel good. You are saving the environment! You are reducing waste! You are saving money! But have you made a mistake? It depends on the situation.
- Override unfamiliar markup
First, it is extremely important to cover all the marks and symbols you are not familiar with. When I first started selling on eBay, I put a pair of shoes in a box labeled “ORM-D.” Packages marked with this mark contain hazardous substances. The package didn’t go far. It was taken hostage in a city 45 minutes away. The post office wants me to pick it up. I drove to the appointed location, a remote USPS warehouse. I’m telling you, I’m shipping shoes. Shoes are a nightmare.
- Hide or delete old address labels
Also, make sure to overwrite or remove any old address labels. As an eBay newbie, I’ve received several boxes because the USPS only saw the original address label, and the destination address shown on it was my own!
- Avoid alcohol containers
It can also be a problem to have items through the USPS in boxes that once contained alcohol. I would avoid using them. According to the USPS website, beer, wine and spirits may not be delivered by mail. If you want to reuse a box with an alcoholic beverage label, remove all signs and labels so your package will go through the mail system.
- Check the stability of the box
If you plan to reuse the box, make sure it hasn’t lost strength. For example, a case that has withstood the U.S. travel process is often not strong enough to protect the product you’re shipping. If you’re sending a plush toy, you’re probably fine. But if you’re packing grandma’s plates in a box that’s already been to the other side of America, don’t expect them to arrive safely.
- Leave a good impression
Finally, think about the impression you make on customers. If you plan to recycle these boxes, reuse those that are clean and professional looking. I belong to a lot of eBay-related Facebook groups. Every once in a while, someone posts a photo of a box they received from an eBay seller that originally contained adult diapers. not good!
Reusing boxes is a good idea, as long as you’re smart. Stick to a professional-looking, clean, sturdy box and you’ll be out of trouble. Follow these tips and your shipping journey will be smooth sailing!
Don’t forget, that the USPS offers free boxes for products shipped via Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express. They’ll ship these free shipping supplies to your work or home for free.
Conclusion
Yes, you can reuse the box for your next shipment. You must ensure that the previous label is covered so that the package does not end up being delivered to another destination.
