My departed FIL, who probably scored on the "hoarder continuum" had a really big box full of other boxes from things like computers, luggage, etc. He also had a box of old toliet seats that he had replaced, and put old door knobs in the boxes of the newer door knobs he had installed...

Now I throw away most every box I get. I may keep a few boxes of certain sizes if I know I plan to ship anything. Otherwise they are flattened and in the recycle barrel.

quote:

Originally posted by bossman:
Until the warranty is up, then out they go.

Me too

If they are under warranty, the manufacturer will replace the item or give you a mailing label for it.

Spending $5 on a Home Depot box and some peanuts for the once every three year chance of something breaking is a much better use of a scarce resource (storage space), in my opinion.

A few boxes are kept for shipping things. Large, flat pieces may be kept for painting or automotive work.

Flat pieces of the right size go around tomato and other plants in the spring to block weeds. By the end of the season, they have decomposed enough to just till into the soil or add to the compost pile.

Under the basement stairs while the item still works, if it’s something that can be repaired cost effectively. Have a countertop water distiller the wife loves that finally quit after about 7 years. Was happy to still have the box when sending it back for repair was less than half the cost of a new one and it’s still working today.

Anything that’s not repairable, the box goes when warranty expires (unless it’s been repurposed for Christmas or Halloween or other junk).

I keep them in my basement. I keep my tv box in case I need to move but other than that they are targets waiting to happen.

Until the return policy has expired, then it goes.

Unique boxes like television, large appliances I'll keep, usually repurposing them. After helping my parents clean out their home in order to sell, and seeing how much they kept, I'm even more aggressive about keeping the clutter down. My dad never threw out anything, the back yard shed was filled with EVERY SINGLE box that came via Amazon, along with boxes from Costco and Sam's...it was remarkable. It was always the same excuse, just in case

I used to keep all sorts of boxes, then when I realized what I was accumulating (and for no good reason) I started ditching them pretty much immediately. I dont save any boxes.

Until it's past return date or we've decided we are keeping the item, probably keep a few more closer to holidays for shipping/wrapping gifts.

I break down and keep the bigger ones.
Once they are shot up I toss them in the cardboard bin at work.

I have a silhouette that I use as a template and just spray paint one onto a 24x36" piece.
When I run low on that I start using xmas wrapping from the dollar store over it.

At work, I do save - more properly, repurpose - large boxes like, for example, those that radiators come in. Cut them up and they make something to put on the floor to lie on, or under a messy job to stand on. They also make good target backers.

I always keep 2 small, 2 medium, and two larger boxes in case I need to ship something so if I have those 6 then I throw any other box in the trash as soon as the product comes out of it.

I’m in the camp of clutter adds to your mental negativity pile.

You guys!!! I let the Kitty Boomer decide.

My answer is as long as the Kitty is still interested in one. As long as he's still sleeping and playing hide/seek or whatever game he's been happy with, the box stays.

Then, when a new box comes in, he gets it, and the old one gets thrown out.

Kitty Cat recycling as it's best!

I only keep electronics boxes. I’ve got too much invested in stereo components to risk damage during a move

All others. Get tossed quickly

You guys have not seen my mother's collection of peanut butter jars, coffee jars, butter tubs, kleenex boxes with the top folded in to make tray like bins, pill bottles, hershey syrup cans (when they were tin cans), and on and on,.....

Mother, now 98, is under constant care at my daughters. I am cleaning up her house (and mine while I'm at it)

I think I said before that Mother broke hip last April, got fixed, went to rehab, got covid, went to another rehab, then to assisted living, now in MIL room at daughters. Otherwise Mother is ok, and very protective of her "stuff". And she denies her memory loss. My Dr son said it is "sundown syndrome"

I still have the box my 2009 Taylor came in, because the inserts hold the case suspended and away from the sides of the box. I've used it a number of times since, simply because it adds another layer of protection for a limited edition guitar I got for a wedding present from my wife. I bought a Milwaukee M18 impact driver a few months ago, box went in the
recycling right after I opened it. It depends.

Not very long. My wife till the end of time.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:

They also make good target backers.

Yup. Target backers.

quote:

Originally posted by P220 Smudge:
I still have the box my 2009 Taylor came in, because the inserts hold the case suspended and away from the sides of the box. I've used it a number of times since, simply because it adds another layer of protection for a limited edition guitar I got for a wedding present from my wife. I bought a Milwaukee M18 impact driver a few months ago, box went in the
recycling right after I opened it. It depends.

I have saved a couple of guitar boxes. They're great to transport long guns.