Sustainability
Every box we reuse is one less in a landfill. Learn about our commitment to environmental responsibility.
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By the Numbers
The Packaging Hierarchy
We follow a strict hierarchy when it comes to packaging materials — always choosing the most environmentally responsible option available.
Reduce
Right-size packaging to minimize material use. Our custom cutting service helps businesses use only the material they need.
Reuse
Give boxes and pallets a second (or third, or fourth) life. Used packaging performs just as well at a fraction of the cost.
Recycle
When materials can no longer be reused, we ensure they are properly baled and sent to paper mills for recycling into new products.
Recover
Materials that cannot be recycled through conventional means are processed through energy recovery programs wherever possible.
Sustainability in Action
Box Reuse Program
Our core business: collecting, inspecting, and reselling used corrugated boxes. Every box that gets a second life is one fewer box manufactured from virgin materials.
500,000+ boxes reused annuallyPallet Repair & Reuse
Instead of sending damaged pallets to landfills, we repair them with replacement boards and fasteners. A repaired pallet is just as functional as a new one.
50,000+ pallets saved from landfillsBuy-Back Network
Our buy-back program creates a circular supply chain. Businesses sell us their surplus packaging, which we resell to other businesses — keeping materials in circulation.
200+ active buy-back partnersCorrugated Recycling
Materials that can no longer be reused are baled and sent to paper mills. Recycled corrugated requires 75% less energy to produce than virgin cardboard.
100+ tons recycled monthlyRight-Size Consulting
Our free consultation helps businesses reduce material usage by right-sizing their packaging. Less material per box means less waste and lower shipping costs.
Avg. 22% material reduction per clientWaste Diversion Tracking
We provide documentation and certificates that show exactly how much material was diverted from landfills, supporting your sustainability reporting.
ESG-ready reporting providedLifecycle of a Used Box
Follow the journey of a corrugated box through our circular packaging system.
Original Use
A manufacturer or retailer ships products in a new corrugated box.
Collection
The recipient no longer needs the box. Through our buy-back program or pickup service, we collect the surplus packaging.
Inspection & Grading
At our facility, the box is inspected for structural integrity, cleanliness, and condition. It receives a quality grade (A, B, or C).
Resale
The graded box is added to our inventory and sold to another business at 30-60% savings vs. buying new.
Second (or Third) Life
The new owner uses the box for shipping, storage, or moving. A single corrugated box can be reused 3-5 times.
End of Life
When the box can no longer be reused, it enters our recycling stream — baled and sent to paper mills to become new cardboard.
Environmental Facts
Corrugated cardboard is the most recycled material in the US, with a recovery rate of over 96%.
Recycling one ton of cardboard saves 9 cubic yards of landfill space.
It takes 75% less energy to make recycled cardboard compared to virgin material.
A single corrugated box can be recycled up to 7 times before the fibers become too short.
Reusing a box is even better than recycling — it requires zero reprocessing energy.
The average corrugated box contains 50% recycled content, with some using up to 100%.
Wood pallets account for over 95% of all pallets in the US — about 2 billion in circulation.
Pallet repair and reuse saves an estimated 300 million trees per year in the US alone.
Each ton of recycled corrugated saves approximately 17 trees from being harvested.
The corrugated industry generates over $30 billion in economic activity in the US annually.
Our Sustainability Goals
We are committed to measurable targets that drive real environmental impact.
Divert 3 million lbs of material from landfills annually
Expand buy-back network to 500+ active partners
Achieve zero waste operations at our Arlington facility
Help 100 businesses implement packaging sustainability plans
How Your Business Can Help
Buy Used Packaging
Every used box you purchase instead of new keeps packaging in circulation and reduces demand for virgin materials.
Sell Your Surplus
Instead of discarding surplus boxes and pallets, sell them to us through our buy-back program. You earn money while reducing waste.
Right-Size Your Packaging
Work with us to optimize box sizes. Smaller boxes mean less material, lower shipping costs, and less waste.
Set Up Recycling
For materials that cannot be reused, our recycling service ensures proper processing instead of landfill disposal.
Track Your Impact
Use our waste diversion reports to document and communicate your sustainability achievements to stakeholders.
Spread the Word
Share the sustainability benefits of used packaging with your team, suppliers, and customers to amplify the impact.
Our Commitment to You and the Planet
At Arlington Boxes, sustainability isn't a marketing slogan — it's the foundation of our business model. Every box we sell for reuse, every pallet we repair, and every ton of material we recycle makes a tangible difference.
We're committed to continuously improving our environmental practices, expanding our reuse programs, and helping our customers achieve their own sustainability goals. When you choose used packaging, you're making a powerful choice for the planet.
Our team is available to help you build a packaging sustainability strategy that makes sense for your business. Whether you are just starting to think about environmental impact or you have ambitious waste reduction targets, we can help.