A recent case study from Reuseabox

In 2022, we first spoke to a UK based product giving charity. They were facing a challenge we hear all the time… packaging costs were rising quickly.

This was starting to affect the money they could use for their main goal: helping local communities.

Every month, this charity distributes thousands of products to community groups, schools, and other charities. It is an amazing operation. However, all those shipments have logistics costs, and for them, the price of new boxes kept on rising.

They wanted to find a way to spend less and lower their environmental impact. But they did not want to compromise on quality.

That is where we came in.

The Challenge

The charity had always used brand new boxes for every delivery. It was a simple process, but it came at a high cost. As a group that depends on donations and funding, they understood that every pound saved on packaging could help their work. The challenge involved finding a reliable and cheaper alternative that still protected the products being sent out.

The Solution 

We introduced them to the idea of reusing cardboard boxes.

In the UK, thousands of good quality boxes are thrown away every day even though these boxes can be reused four to six times. At Reuseabox, we rescue these boxes from going to waste and match them with businesses that can use them again. It saves money and helps the planet at the same time.

We worked closely with the charity by finding them the right sizes and amounts they needed. Then, we set up a steady supply.

Because we partner with a wide network of suppliers, we were able to meet their changing demand for boxes and offer flexible ordering options. They could buy in bulk when needed without worrying about storing surplus stock.

The transition was smooth. No compromise on quality occurred, and their team quickly adapted to reusing boxes (frankly, they couldn’t really even tell!)

The Results 

The impact was immediate. By switching from new boxes to our used ones, the charity now saves around £90,000 every year on packaging costs.

They redirected those savings straight into their community programmes, helping them support more groups and reach more people. Now, projects, resources, and activities that make a real difference receive the funding that the charity used to spend on packaging.

The Environmental Impact

The environmental benefits have been just as impressive. Over the last three years, their switch to used boxes has saved:

• Nearly 150,000 boxes from going to waste
• Over 250 trees
• 187 tonnes of CO₂
• 37 million litres of water
• 3 million kWh of energy

It is a great example of how small operational changes can add up to a big positive impact. By choosing to reuse cardboard boxes instead of buying new ones, the charity supports the circular economy, promoting sustainability in the community.

A Model for Other Charities

 This project has shown that cost savings and sustainability can work hand in hand. By rethinking how they approached packaging, this charity has improved efficiency, reduced costs, and lessened their environmental footprint.

For them, working with us has been more than just a supplier relationship. It has become a genuine partnership that aligns with their values and helps them achieve their mission more effectively.

Switching to used boxes is a simple but powerful step that any organisation can take. Because this charity’s £90,000 annual saving and their environmental results show just how much difference one small change can make.