The World’s Largest Cardboard Box

When it comes to world records, people certainly have some interesting things to prove, but perhaps one of the most interesting is the record for the world’s largest cardboard box. In general, cardboard boxes are used to house various products found in retail stores, and in most cases, they aren’t any larger than a refrigerator; however, if you’re looking for the largest cardboard box in the world, then you’ll need to imagine a box much larger than that.

Chegg Creates World’s Largest Cardboard Box

In 2009, Chegg.com created the world’s largest cardboard box, with the end result measuring in at nine feet tall, 46 feet long and 20 feet wide. Chegg is known for its textbook rental services, and the company is very proud of its title. Not to be outdone, however, other people have tried to fight the current record holder.

BYU Responds with Largest Cardboard Box Castle

In July 2010, Brigham Young University won the title of “Largest Water Balloon Fight”, but in 2012, the school attempted to work with cardboard boxes to create a large structure. Constructing layers of empty cardboard boxes, BYU was able to build the largest cardboard box castle. The student group EcoResponse joined forces with the Student Wellness Department and a number of engineering students at BYU to construct the castle, ultimately leading to an amazing castle-like structure being built out of 566 empty cardboard boxes.

Creating the Cardboard Records

It should be noted that both the Chegg cardboard box, as well as the BYU box castle, were not created using one contiguous piece of cardboard. In virtually all packaging situations involving cardboard boxes, the cardboard is one complete piece and is not connected together using outside means. The two record holders that were previously mentioned used a variety of methods to hold together multiple pieces of cardboard in order to create their record holding examples, meaning neither actually created a complete box made from a singular piece of cardboard.

Set Your Own Record

Of course, this should never stop you from reaching for your own world record dreams, no matter what they may be. Keep in mind that there are billions of people on this planet, so chances are, you’ll be able to obtain a world record for something, even if it’s an off the wall idea. If you’re interested in world records and how you can beat them, you may wish to seek out information from the Guinness World Record Company, or you may want to take some time to do some research on the Internet to see what’s available. With a lot of work and a little bit of luck, you may find yourself as the next world record holder for any number of titles.

Moving can feel like a never-ending exercise in frustration. Once the moving boxes have been loaded and unloaded, you must contend with what to do with all those empty vessels. You want them gone, but you also want to adhere to green principles. Fortunately, there are quite a few options for getting rid of moving boxes in ways that are simple and environmentally-friendly.

Return Company-Specific Boxes to the Vendor

If the boxes have been acquired through a company that rents trucks and sells moving supplies, many locations have a section within the store devoted to accepting used boxes. It is convenient to return the boxes with the truck, and these box donation areas are also a great place to pick up free boxes to reuse during a move. These businesses are individually owned, so call beforehand to check if this is an option in your area.

List the Boxes Online

Online resources can connect your empties with people who would love to fill them. There are several websites that connect unwanted things with people seeking those items. Listing moving boxes on the free section of these sites is almost certain to have your boxes picked up as fast as you can set them on the curb. In some areas, there are specific listing services that will re-sell your boxes. An internet search should yield city-specific options. Either way, offering empty boxes for reuse is a thoroughly green choice.

Consult a Box Broker

Some metropolitan areas actually have professionals who specialize in connecting people with moving boxes with those who need them. A simple internet search may connect you with a local business that will handle the process and get the boxes out of the trash and back into circulation.

Donate them

This requires a bit of calling, but many organizations, like libraries and schools, would love to reuse quality boxes. Don’t overlook preschools since a load of boxes can be a boon for entertaining the younger set. In the hands of an eco-conscious teacher, your boxes can become an erector set or a three dimensional canvas.

Recycle Them

Boxes that don’t find new homes can often be accepted by local recycling facilities. Call ahead to determine that your leftover boxes meet facility specifications for quantity and size.

These kids got creative with their empty boxes and reused them to construct a boat.

Create Compost

Cardboard is compostable. Break down spare boxes and add them to existing compost or offer your boxes to others who enjoy gardening. Your cardboard will decompose into nutrient-rich compost, and soon those unwanted boxes can nourish veggies or flower beds.

The last phase of moving need not cause undue frustration or environmentally-unfriendly trips to the dump. A little creativity and planning yields fantastic green solutions for leftover moving boxes.