I break my boxes down immediately and line them up. So they take up much, much less room in my spare closet. And I don't have to go and get new ones, I just reuse the old ones. Some of my boxes have about 5 cross-outs of where the contents is going. I move a lot, and good smallish boxes are very useful for heavy items like books.

I usually always toss boxes immediately, except in December. In December I collect boxes so I can use them for gift wrapping and for decorative wrapping. My roommate and I wrap empty boxes and pile them under the tree so it's like Christmas every day! :)

I also break them down and store them. They take up almost no space at all that way, and can be reused mutiple times. Seems a bit wasteful to toss them (even into a recycling bin).

It depends on what kind of box. For larger or more expensive items I always keep it for 4 to 6 weeks- just in case the item has to be returned to the store you have to have the box. Other boxes, I keep them if they are good, heavy boxes and I need a box right away. If I don't- then out they go.

If I have an empty box in the apartment, I place near the garbage can in the kitchen and fill up with garbage before taking out to the dumpster. Usually there's some sort of packing material to be in there as well.

Hi- why even waste your time breaking down cardboard boxes! I invented the zero waste pack and move solution. Its' called rentagreenbox.com ( we changed the name from earthfriendlymoving.com). We take hard to recycle plastic trash from the landfills and make the Recopacks in three sizes and rent them for $1.00 per week. We have combo packages that start at $169.000 for two weeks and come with everything that you need to pack and move. We deliver them direct to your door. You pack, stack and move and when they are done, we pick them up from your new location. It's moving made simple. Thanks for taking the time to learn about our unique system.

I have a few tried and true book moving boxes that I keep broken down under my bed. But that's about it.

Except there's generally at least one box that the cat has claimed as his new favorite thing laying around.

Spencerbrown, I checked out the website and all I can say is that I'm totally impressed. What a great idea! Wish I'd thought of it.

I used to keep all electronic boxes namely incase I have to move or something like that but now, I will retain them and any and all packaging as it's often required when you need to return the item to the store or ship back to the company. Thise I will keep for up to a month, perhaps 2 months and then I'll toss.

I do keep a small collection of small to medium sized boxes for gifts but otherwise, I recycle them on a regular basis as I just don't have room for them.

What about Craigslist? There are always people looking for free boxes for moving - it's a lot more environmentally sound than recycling, even!

I keep small shipping boxes only around Christmas when I may need gift packaging or if I have a use for them. Electronics boxes, however, I keep longer. I presently have a printer box and stereo box with styrofoam taking up real estate in my closet. I'll probably keep the printer box until the warranty's up.

I rarely keep boxes - only when I buy a big-ticket item like a new computer, and then only for a week or so, in case I'm going to return it. My husband would like to keep EVERY box that comes in the front door. I've compromised to the extent that I've put the boxes for his stereo equipment in our basement storage space. But if I had my way, they'd go too. I figure you can always find or buy boxes and packaging. Space is much more valuable.

toss them after you aer reasonably sure you don't need to take the item back.

please reuse boxes and put them to acual uses and please slap this person that made the robot, it's ugly.

use boxes to ship, re-ship, moving, put stuff in it and take to out of closet for donation. you know they hate plastic bags? or trash bags?

i heard them screaming at this women for using a black trash bag for her pile of junk clothes.... i mean at least fold them and make them look good... people use boxes and use ur target shopping bags for trash.

Umm, I think the robot was an office prank...not an attempt at artwork.

prank?
how painfully straight.

I live in a house with near unlimited boxes... my mom is on dialysis (peri) and each night uses a good size box full of solution. Although I no longer have a need to hoarde my own boxes, I do keep the electronics stuff for a month to make sure I don't need it. I used to keep them for moving but that won't happen for a while yet. Her supply of boxes came in handy at Christmas and just recently when I elevated my bed and used the boxes for storage underneath. Free boxes vs. ugly plastic storage boxes wins every day.

i keep all boxes of everything i never throw any away