With so many packing materials and shipping containers available, why would wood be the best to use? There are a few reasons why wooden boxes and crates could be considered better than cardboard boxes-they are stronger, longer-lasting, and eco-friendly. Made of either lumber, plywood or engineered wood, these boxes and crates are an excellent way to transport any household item from one place to the next. This guide will explain the benefits of using wood boxes as an eco-friendly alternative to cardboard and plastic. Wood is a natural resource that is not only more environmentally conscious than man-made material but looks better as well. Read why using wood is the way to go when packing up and moving away.
Wood is stronger than cardboard
Bottom-line, wood boxes and crates can carry more weight than cardboard containers and provides more protection. While cardboard is a thin pasteboard made of heavy-duty paper wood is a hard, fibrous substance made of tree bark and branches that will hold up. A hard material like wood is more durable and will withstand more stress than a softer substance. This can easily be seen by the difference in wet wood and moist cardboard. While wet wood will only become damp, wet cardboard will eventually soften and tear.
A good example of wood versus cardboard strength is apparent when transferring large quantities of books. If packed in a wood box or crate, books will remain in the container regardless of the total weight; however, with cardboard, they can and will often fall through the bottom of the container, especially if wet.
Wood is better for long-term use
Wood boxes and crates are also excellent for long-term use. After moving your belongings in the containers, the cartons can be reused in various other ways. From making a wooden planter to gifting produce, wood boxes and crates can be used creatively with a little imagination. One way to reuse wood crates is to paint the plywood and place anywhere throughout the house, making a decorative storage case for books, magazines, towels, blankets, pillows, toys and more.
You can stack wooden crates
Another benefit of wood boxes, and especially crates, is the ability to stack them high, creating space in small areas. Placing them one on top of the other utilizes more room in any part of the house. An added benefit of stacking crates rather than cardboard boxes, is not only the strength, but the easy view into the container. Being able to see what is in the crate saves a lot of time when searching for a particular item. Rather than searching through several taped boxes to locate something, you can simply look through the spaces between the wood to find what you are looking for.
Reusable and Environmentally friendly
Improperly disposing of cardboard and plastic can cause soil contamination and water pollution in landfills, bringing irreparable harm to the environment. One of the biggest benefits to using wood boxes and crates other than cardboard or plastic containers is the fact that the material is eco-friendly and does not cause environmental damage.
Along with reusing wood boxes or crates for decorative purposes, you can also break down the wood and use for other projects, or even better, use it to keep you warm on a cold winter night. Simply break down the wood box or crate and throw the planks into the fire for fuel. With so many benefits to using wood boxes and crates, it is easy to see why they are more beneficial than other packing materials. And to top it off, you can get them for free by visiting your local liquor store and asking if they can spare any extra wine crates.