Friday, Jul. 18, 2008

'Green’ Boxes Help Relieve Moving Stress

Staff Report

The Messenger

Ranking within the top five most stressful things people deal with is moving.

Residents of Flower Mound have first-hand knowledge of the dreaded activity. The population of the town has grown from 15,527 people recorded in the 1990 U.S. Census, to an estimated 62,450 residents as of January 2008.

The Driscoll family recently moved to a new home and found a local business helped relieve at least the material needs involved in the stress of moving.

"On our recent move in Flower Mound, we heard about Best Price Boxes," Kristi Driscoll said. "The prices were very reasonable and we felt we were helping the environment. After unpacking, I was happy to break down the gently-used boxes and call Best Price Boxes to pick them up so another family could use them."

Driscoll said that Best Price Boxes made moving easier and provided for all of their moving needs, including packing paper and tape.

"We realize moving can be hard work and stressful," says Best Price Boxes Co-owner Jim Harycki of Flower Mound. "Finding new and used moving boxes can be a hassle, and buying new boxes is very expensive. That’s why we usually catch people really off-guard when we tell them that we will pay for used moving boxes so they can recoup part of the cost."

A stack of more than 100 moving boxes waiting on the curb for trash pick up was the stimulus in 2005 for the first Best Price Boxes location.

"What a waste," thought co-owner Hix Hardy of Keller, as he peered at his new neighbor’s pile of refuse ... and a business was born. There are now five Metroplex stores.

Last year, residents who turned to the Lewisville store location helped save 700 tons of cardboard, which translates to 11,900 trees, 490,000 gallons of water and 770 gallons of oil. They also saved money – as much as half-off regular retail prices – by packing up their homes with used boxes and then selling them back to the eco-friendly retailer.

The company pays 0.10 cents to $1 per box, depending on its size and condition, and resells them at a discount. Best Price Boxes will even pick up bundles of 50 boxes or more.

"We hope to spread the word that we do not want you to throw away your moving boxes if you don’t have to – that there is an alternative out there," adds Harycki. "We either reuse or recycle it – nothing gets thrown away," says Hardy.

Best Price Boxes has locations in Lewisville, Carrollton, Colleyville, Keller and Wylie and more information is available at www.bestpriceboxes.com or call 866-713-6494.