Shipping Boxes

andrew5859

Hats Off Exotics
Messages
321
Location
Pennsylvania
I know there is a shipping section but I figured I would get a better reply here since there hasn't been a single post there this year.

Anyway my question is for those of you that ship, do you reuse shipping boxes if they are in good condition? I personally have not but I have gotten a couple boxes that didn't look so great from being reused. I think it would be acceptable if the box wasn't beaten up, I just hate being wasteful if the box can be reused.
 

Kristi23

Ghoulish Geckos
Messages
16,180
Location
IL
Once in awhile I'll reuse the box if it's in great condition. Most of the time I use new ones though. I do keep the extra styrofoam from the boxes I get and use it when needed.
 

RampantReptiles

New Member
Messages
2,488
Location
Canandaigua, NY
I reuse boxes if they are in good condition. I have yet to receive a box I deemed "unusable". I think it is really important to reuse the styrofoam at least since it is not recyclable and styrofoam is a major pollutant. If the outside cardboard is no good then recycle that but please please please do reuse the inner sytrofoam if possible.
 

andrew5859

Hats Off Exotics
Messages
321
Location
Pennsylvania
I think it would make you look a little more professional if your box is in good condition also. I know you cant control what happens to it after it leaves your possession but at least you can say you sent it out in good condition.

Michelle all the boxes I get I make sure I save the Styrofoam from! If its not broken or really flimsy I reuse it for sure. I have a few huge pieces that could be cut to fit any size box and then some that i'm lucky enough that fit the boxes I use exactly.
 

Enigmatic_Reptiles

Quality is Everything
Messages
6,779
Location
Corona, CA
I never reuse a box or any other shipping supplies. I feel anyone purchasing from me deserves new everything. I hate when I get anything packed in used items...be it a box, snake bags, deli cups, etc.
 

justindh1

New Member
Messages
1,584
Location
Pilot Grove, Missouri
I never reuse a box or any other shipping supplies. I feel anyone purchasing from me deserves new everything. I hate when I get anything packed in used items...be it a box, snake bags, deli cups, etc.

I can see where you're coming from but if someone doesn't want to purchase from me again because I have reused a near perfect condition box then I would tell them that they have to do what they think is right for them. I would rather reuse a box then throw it in the trash. If it is ugly and interferes with the structure and strength of the box then I wouldn't use it. The idea of having everything new and in perfect condition is one that I don't believe in. Many used things are just as good as new.
 

Enigmatic_Reptiles

Quality is Everything
Messages
6,779
Location
Corona, CA
I get your point and I agree with you on some new things being as good as new. However, if someone is investing their money into something it only seems right to provide a product which I want to be attached to my business name. I spend a lot of time and money to ensure my breeders are the best possible and at a standard which I see as top quality...why would I skimp on the appearance of my business to save on a box? It's not about loosing repeat customers, but its the clean and professional appearance that I want to maintain with my business name. Reuse insulation if you want, but not the box.
 

justindh1

New Member
Messages
1,584
Location
Pilot Grove, Missouri
I get your point and I agree with you on some new things being as good as new. However, if someone is investing their money into something it only seems right to provide a product which I want to be attached to my business name. I spend a lot of time and money to ensure my breeders are the best possible and at a standard which I see as top quality...why would I skimp on the appearance of my business to save on a box? It's not about loosing repeat customers, but its the clean and professional appearance that I want to maintain with my business name. Reuse insulation if you want, but not the box.

The reason to save a box and reuse it is for the simple fact that I am not putting the box in the local trash dump and adding more to the problem. It's not about skimping on appearance but about doing a little to reduce my footprint. It may not be much but if everyone did it, thousands of boxes would be reused and kept from being in the dump. Not a single person has been unsatisfied with the way I have shipped whether it has been with a brand new box or a used one. I also keep a clean and professional appearance either way and a used box in good shape will not get in the way of that.
 

Enigmatic_Reptiles

Quality is Everything
Messages
6,779
Location
Corona, CA
I am sorry but there is very little to no effect on carbon footprint reduction in reusing a box. My wife has a Hybrid and I don't think that helps much either. Boxes decompose quite quickly and can be recycled. I said you can reuse insulation, which is the only shipping component which has any significant effect on your CF. Think about the electrical demand keeping and breeding reptiles has. Get solar systems for your racks, incs, etc. to reduce your CF. I am not implying you do not have a clean and professional appearance with your business. I have never done business with you so I would never speculate or assume anything about your business and how you conduct it. Just stating that to ME reused boxes would imply to me that the breeder is trying to cutting corners on shipping supplies. Someone needs to keep new boxes in circulation and I will gladly continue to be that guy.
 

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