Released on February 12, 2021, 4:23 PM EST

This is a sign of the times: You can't drive with a pile of Amazon boxes in at least one doorway. As a result, many home shoppers find themselves in a dilemma-what should they do with all these Amazon boxes? Recycling is always an option, but not the only one. Nevertheless, adopting a more zero-waste mentality may be the best way to refresh some of these boxes. 

Amazon.com has a section dedicated to recycling its boxes, wrapping paper and other packaging materials. Read on for exclusive news on how to best handle Amazon boxes, and other ideas for upgrading and recycling them.

Because the most common Amazon boxes are made of cardboard, they are completely recyclable, and as long as you flatten them and remove the tape, most roadside recycling programs will recycle them. This only applies to the clear plastic or packaging tape you see on ordinary boxes. According to Amazon, every part of its cardboard packaging, including the black tape, is 100% recyclable. 

Because they are technically made of paper, most cardboard boxes can be composted as part of the "brown" or carbon-rich part of the compost bin. The problem is the ink used on the box. According to Thriving Yard, although many modern companies have switched to more biodegradable soy or carbon-based inks, Amazon has not yet revealed the ink the company currently uses on its packaging. 

Nevertheless, most people seem to agree that Prime boxes can be composted with few safety issues. Before putting it in the trash can, just tear the box open. The black tape used on the Prime box is also considered fully compostable.  

If you have your own items to ship, reusing the old Amazon box is as simple as tearing off the old label, printing it, attaching the new label, and then sending it out via any courier service of your choice. 

Any box can be used to store or mail donations, but the Amazon box itself actually has a special purpose in this regard. Amazon recently partnered with Give Back Box, a charity organization that helps you donate unwanted household items, such as used clothes, shoes, and toys, to those in need. 

Give Back Box works with many retailers, including Overstock, Loft, Levi's, LEGO, Nordstrom, Viva Terra, Ecru, Bonobos and eBags. The goal is simple: give cardboard boxes new uses in a sustainable way. This is a sustainable double whammy—they are changing those who need something and as a catalyst to reuse items that might end up in the trash. You can print a label for the reused box here. 

You can definitely! Just ask Calvin and Hobbes! Old cardboard boxes can make great spaceships, houses, bunkers, barns, dollhouses, clothing, and deformers. You can shred them and reassemble the cardboard into various DIY crafts, toys and artworks. At a critical juncture, you can even tear several boxes in half and make them a sign of protest. After you use them, you can recycle or compost these waste materials. 

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