You don't have to cut down a tree,
to make a used cardboard box!
How it Works
Can you believe 100 BILLION boxes are manufacturerd in the United States each and every year, most to be used just once then thrown away or recycled?
At UsedCardboardBoxes, we give quality used gaylord totes and used shipping boxes a second life, helping businesses and consumers save money and reduce waste.
Traditionally, the packaging industry follows a circular process—manufacturing, using, recycling, and remanufacturing boxes. However, we disrupt this cycle by rescuing and reusing boxes before they are ever broken down, saving time, energy, and resources. Here’s how it works:
We purchase quality used gaylords and boxes by the truckload from large companies who are unpacking their supplies, and would otherwise throw away or recycle them.
We take many of those boxes and assemble low cost, eco-friendly moving kits, which are delivered nationwide in 2-3 days with free shipping—offering a cost-effective, sustainable alternative for anyone moving.
We sell quality used gaylords and boxes by the truckload as a lower cost alternative to purchasing new, to businesses that need distribution solutions, helping them save money while supporting sustainability initiatives.
We return gaylords and boxes to their original vendors, reducing their need to buy brand-new and supporting a circular supply chain.
Box Manufacturing
The process begins with box manufacturers that buy corrugated cardboard sheets, cut, print, and glue them into brand-new boxes, and ship them to businesses across various industries.
Boxes Used for Shipping
Manufacturers purchase these new boxes to package their products, palletize them, and ship them to other manufacturers, distribution centers, or retailers.
Unpacking & Flattening
Once the shipments arrive, the receiving manufacturers unpack the products, removing them from their boxes. Instead of throwing away the empty boxes, they flatten and stack them for collection.
UCB Processing & Sorting
Instead of being sent to a recycler (where they would be crushed, pulped, and remade into paperboard), UCB steps in and buys these flattened boxes. We sort, inspect, grade, and inventory them at our processing facilities, ensuring only high-quality boxes are resold (or in some cases, teach the manufacturer how to process the boxes for resale themselves).
Three Ways We Give Boxes a Second Life
Wholesale Boxes: We sell truckloads of quality used boxes at a lower cost to businesses that need shipping solutions, helping them save money while supporting sustainability.
Closed-Loop Reuse: Some boxes are returned to their original vendors, reducing their need to buy brand-new boxes and supporting a circular supply chain.
Moving Kits for Consumers: We assemble and sell eco-friendly moving kits, which are delivered nationwide in 2-3 days with free shipping—offering a cost-effective, sustainable alternative for anyone moving.
The Benefits
By reusing boxes instead of recycling them through traditional methods, we reduce emissions, save trees, conserve water and chemicals, and lower costs for businesses and consumers alike. Our process helps companies meet their sustainability goals while maximizing efficiency in packaging and logistics.
At UCB, we make sustainability easy, practical, and cost-effective—because a box doesn’t have to be brand new to be useful!
how it works
UCB's Humble Beginnings
Check out our original explainer videos from our Founder and CEO, Marty Metro. From a business concept written on a napkin, to the nation's leader in used gaylords and boxes, it's always important to remember how you got started.
