Box Cycle Establishes a Simple & Effective Concept: Consumer Distribution of Recycled Boxes

by Beth Hodgson

Box Cycle takes a simple, environmentally conscious business concept, and makes it a success by offering a buy and sell service for recycled boxes to consumers.

Packing to move, arguably one of the world's biggest annoyances (unless you like that kind of thing), made worse only by the epic journey that is required to seek suitable boxes to house your valuables on the big day.

We've all been there, crossing our fingers that retail and grocery stores alike have just received and unpacked a big delivery while hoping that the large, suitable boxes haven't already been scooped up by others in a similar predicament. And even when you do get lucky and come across some that may get the job done, you risk putting your cherished items in a container with a funky smell (likely from the dumpster behind the store) or a potentially unstable bottom.

Sure, you could purchase brand new boxes and other packing supplies, but you might have to be prepared to give up your first born to pay the hefty fee. So, instead, why not use a service like Box Cycle. Not only are you doing your part for the Green movement, you also can be sure what you're getting is quality.

Believe it or not, Box Cycle does require certain quality box standards from its sellers. Recycled boxes must not smell (well, actually the site says "do no smell", but we'll put aside the fact that they could use the services of a good proofreader), they can't have residue from food or any other substances, they can't have been wet in the past or present, they must have all of their original components, they can't be deformed, they must be as strong as the day the were manufactured (or comparably so) and they must come broken down. While these are only the minimum standards, even once you've made your order to the seller, you are not required to take any boxes that do not pass your inspection.

Instead of anxiously searching dumpsters or soliciting stores for large boxes for moving, such as those that once contained diapers (in my experience, these are quite wonderful!), or those that meet the requirements of the parcel you need to ship, Box Cycle categorizes its boxes by size and purpose. Type categories include Moving Boxes, Wardrobe Boxes, Shipping Boxes and more, and even include a handy description so you know which boxes are appropriate for your needs.

All prices are pre-determined by Box Cycle based on their categories, so all sellers can be competitive without having to enter into stalemates of prices increases or reductions and consumers can shop by requirements rather than price. There is a minimum of $2 per order, but sellers may set a higher quota.

The site is easy to navigate from both a buyer and seller perspective. If you are familiar with EBay (who isn't!), you will find that this is a breeze. With box listings, there are maps to show you exactly where the inventory is available for pickup as well as the hours that the seller is open for business.

While Box Cycle's overhead costs would naturally be quite low, since inventory rests with the sellers, they have taken a risk in making their business plan tangible because their revenue is commission based only.

Currently their recycled box distribution network is functioning within the United States only, and shipping is not available; leaving expansion opportunities or an open market that has yet to be captured.

Box Cycle proves that when a simple, fundamental need can be fulfilled in a convenient manner by the establishment of a business, there is a profit to be had!

Beth Hodgson
Innovative Businesses Writer
InventorSpot.com

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Comments

Brilliant

Submitted on November 12th, 2008 by Jill Harness

As someone who ships a lot of products in the mail via ebay, I have to say I love this idea! And my god would it help movers as well.

Reusing, the best form of recycling!

Submitted on November 12th, 2008 by Anonymous

Great idea, and a great way to get boxes. However, for those of us who don't have the ability to pick up boxes ourselves, there is UsedCardboardBoxes.com. Same general idea, boxes are rescued from companies who might otherwise send them to the landfills. Those boxes are then put together in neat little "moving kits" that include everything you would need to move from your current home to a new home. They even throw in markers, tape and packaging paper! They have it figured down to how many boxes you should need based on the number of rooms. And delivery to your home or office is free! You place your order on the website and a couple of days later, UPS arrives with your boxes. It's a great option for people like me who need boxes but don't have the time to go to meet people to get their boxes.

They even sell business-sized orders, where they will sell a large quantity and arrange delivery to the location. And just like BoxCycle, the prices are less than retail. I think it's great that companies are recognizing the need to save our resources and are making it happen. Kudos to both UsedCardboardBoxes.com and BoxCycle for helping us all do our part to help the environment!

Thanks for the information

Submitted on November 12th, 2008 by Beth Hodgson

Thanks for the information on UsedCardboardBoxes.com, sounds like a great alternative for those who would rather have the prouct delivered, since Box Cycle doesn't currently offer that..

All in all, I'm all for anything that let's people save the environment and a few bucks at the same time!

Beth Hodgson
Innovative Business Writer

RE: UsedCardboardBoxes.com

Submitted on November 13th, 2008 by Anonymous

I ordered one of the 3 bedroom moving kits from usedcardboardboxes.com and it actually showed up the day after I placed the order. There was already a bunch of supplies in the kit as has already been mentioned, but the best thing was this little box-cutter thing that I have used about a million times since I moved.

I had meant to go to a grocery store and get some boxes myself, but I kept putting it off. When I finally went down to the store, they said that they sell those boxes as scrap... so the manager could only "sneak" me one. I thought I was going to have to buy brand new boxes (I felt bad for the environment, but I felt worse for my bank account). I found usedcardboardboxes.com, and they were cheaper and had free shipping.

Maybe I will try BoxCycle, but I sort of feel like the amount of time and gas money I would have to put forth might just make me stick with having used boxes shipped to my front door... I am such an American with my love of convenience...

Cindy

RE: UsedCardboardBoxes.com

Submitted on November 13th, 2008 by Anonymous

This is great info. I love what BoxCycle is trying to do and it totally makes sense. I also used Usedcardboardboxes.com the last time I moved and am about to use them again. I couldn't even tell the boxes had been used and they came the next day, for free shipping. The idea of driving around to retail stores is not so attractive to me. At $3+ a gallon, I'll probably continue to use usedcardboardboxes.com (they should think of a shorter name, though). They've been around for quite a while (I remember they used to have retail stores in LA) and you can pick up the phone and call them, and they'll actually help you place an order. Cool company. They get my vote. I think Boxcycle is also going to do tell.... but I hope they will deliver some day. Its so much easier to have the boxes come to you!

OK, now who wants to help me pack?

Thank you all for the info

Submitted on November 13th, 2008 by Beth Hodgson

Thank you all for the info on Usedcardboardboxes.com, I will keep them in mind for a future feature. Though they've already gotten quite the endorsement.

In my books, anything that makes the dreaded process of moving easier (and environmentally friendly) is bound to be a winner!

Beth Hodgson
Innovative Business Writer

Bummer

Submitted on November 23rd, 2008 by Anonymous

I have lots of boxes that might pass those rules, but might have bar codes and other printing on them. We just end up having to burn them because covering them up take too much time.