There’s a clean box sitting next to the recycling bin. It looks like it could still hold another order. There are many shipping boxes which can be reused; however, all need to be checked before being reused.

Pick up the empty box and gently apply pressure to all sides. If it holds together as expected (you feel resistance), chances are the cardboard is still in great condition. However, if it folds easily under your fingers or collapses at all, there is a possibility that the inner layer was crushed, making the entire box less than ideal. In addition, a damaged corner or bottom seam of a box may allow the contents of a second shipment to fall through.

Be careful of the corners and seam. Any tears or splits in these areas are likely indicative of weakened structural integrity. Also, old adhesive often pulls off paper and cardboard, creating additional weakness in the box. If the bottom seam does not seal properly, select a different box.

As far as damage caused by moisture, there are typically visible indicators. Dark patches, ripples/waves in the surface, peeling layers, and/or a musty odor, etc., would indicate potential problems. Water damage to a box may render it completely unusable-even though it appears dry. In addition to water, oil, food residue, dirt, and other types of odors can also render a box unusable.

Your decision on whether or not to use a reusable shipping box ultimately depends upon what is being shipped. For example, a soft t-shirt can travel quite safely within a clean box showing slight wear and tear. On the other hand, items such as glassware or extremely heavy parts require boxes that provide significantly greater support than a worn-out box.

Do not assume that just because a box survived its first trip that it will be safe to ship another package within it!

Any pre-printed information left on the box including addresses, barcodes, and shipping labels must be either completely removed or completely obscured. Some machines will read an older code and incorrectly route your package.

You should inspect for any type of mark related to hazardous materials or restricted products. Although this may seem obvious, the federal government has specific rules regarding labeling requirements and these can vary depending upon carrier and product restrictions. Therefore, you should always inquire about any marks you don’t recognize.

Once you have cleared the exterior of the box, simply fold down the flaps and verify that the box maintains its original form. All four walls should meet squarely without any noticeable gaps or twists. Apply fresh packaging tape across the center seam along with the two side seams at both the top and bottom.

New tape cannot salvage a severely damaged box but can adequately secure a clean and sturdy box. By maintaining a clean box storage area and organizing boxes by size, businesses can greatly simplify their efforts to reuse shipping boxes. Furthermore, discarding any weak or damaged boxes immediately prevents employees who are working under time constraints from selecting an inferior box.

Shipping boxes can reduce waste and create new uses for previously discarded items. Your safest option is not solely dependent upon how long a box has been stored. While one box may continue to serve for years, another may fail after only one trip due to exposure to excessive moisture. Always inspect the strength, cleanliness, markings, and compatibility of a reusable shipping box prior to allowing it to ship another package.