I’m addicted to Amazon. Who isn’t, really? I pretty much resisted it for as long as I could but my husband, then boyfriend, got me started with Amazon Prime back in 2013, and I never looked back. Now I have another reason to love Amazon…

We consider ourselves an Amazon family, buying everything from baby goods to technology to beauty products, food and clothing. You can only imagine the amount of Amazon boxes that roll through this household. I mean C’mon…

What do you do with those unwanted Amazon boxes?

My dutiful husband usually breaks them down and puts them in a recycle bin. (So Eco, Right?) I’ve discovered a new way to recycle those Amazon boxes and it’s called the Amazon Give Back Box.

What is the Amazon Give Back Box program?

Amazon (and a variety of other big retailers in fact) participate in a program to recycle your boxes if you  send them back filled with donated items. All those unwanted items get sorted and distributed to those in need. So you are essentially recycling and doing good for humanity! #winning

How Does the Amazon Give Back Box Work?

Basically, it’s like this:

Who Benefits from the Amazon Give Back Box?

Amazon (or participating retailer) pays for the shipping. No cost to you. Then sends it to a Goodwill location (or another charity) that they partner with. The charity may sell the donated items to help fund their programs to help those in need.

It’s a win-win. No more boxes, de-clutter your home, help a bunch of humans.

(NOTE: Goodwill is a for profit organization who will sell used goods for profit, so if that bothers you, then do not use this program since it doesn’t indicate how exactly your items get distributed)

What kind of donations can you put in the Amazon Give Back Box?

Any new, unused, or gently unused items (basically, good condition, mostly clean, and not missing parts, ripped, stained, or torn) such as clothing, shoes, purses, accessories, home goods, etc.

I’d use caution when sending back electronics, any liquids, fragile, hazardous or dangerous items, as many shipping carriers may have restrictions.

How to Send an Amazon Give Back Box in 5 Easy Steps

1. Step One:  Collect the goods. If you’re like me, I have a bag of items to donate in my garage and I just add to it every once in a while. Accelerate your de-clutter mission by setting a goal for yourself (i.e. first your kid’s closet, then your closet, then the coat closet, you get the idea.
2. Step Two: Load up your box. UPS has no limits or restrictions on box weight or size but USPS does. U.S. Postal Service will accept any box the does not exceed 70 lbs or a combined length and girth of a box over 108 inches. Fill that baby up! Use multiple boxes if you need to. The goal is to get rid of the boxes and your unwanted items.
3. Step Three: Print a shipping label. Go here for Amazon. Be sure to check mark the box if you would like a tax-deductible receipt. Tape the label to the box using good, strong shipping tape
4. Step Four: Depending on the type of carrier, let your delivery guy pick it up, schedule a pick up, or take it to a drop off location near you.
5. Step Five: Feel good about yourself. Your house is a little bit cleaner and you’ve helped someone out there in the world and most importantly, saved a landfill.

I gave it a shot and it’s so easy, even my toddler can do it. (Okay, maybe not. He’s still learning to spell “MOM” let alone type out a shipping label – HA!)

Other Helpful Links About the Amazon Give Back Box Program

Program FAQ

Participating Retailers

More About Amazon’s Other Give Back Initiatives

Ready to de-clutter and recycle your Amazon Boxes?

Show me your boxes! Tag me on Instagram @wildandcree.