January 30, 2023
If you’ve ever walked through a warehouse, distribution centre, or manufacturing floor, you’ve seen them: Gaylord boxes, the giant, heavy-duty cardboard containers often used for shipping bulk materials, storing products, or transporting recyclables.
What most people don’t realise is that these boxes are worth real money, and selling them can turn into a steady income stream with very low overhead.
Whether you want a full-on B2B operation or a casual weekend side hustle, here’s exactly how to do it, and why it’s one of the most underrated recycling businesses out there.
Gaylord boxes (sometimes called bulk bins, pallet boxes, or triple-wall boxes) are oversized cardboard containers designed to hold large volumes and heavy loads. They typically sit on a pallet and range from 500–2,000+ lb capacity, depending on the wall thickness, like these on https://verdetrader.com/.
Businesses love them because they're:
And that demand is exactly where the opportunity lies.
Most warehouses pay to dispose of Gaylords.
If you offer to take them off their hands for free, you’ve instantly solved a problem for them and obtained free inventory.
Industries that constantly buy Gaylords include:
Demand is consistently high and recession-proof.
Used Gaylord boxes normally resell for:
If you’re acquiring them for £0–£1 each, the margins speak for themselves.
You don’t need:
Just storage space, transport, and consistency.
This is one of the rare side hustles that actually reduces waste, keeps materials out of landfills, and saves businesses money on packaging.
Your best suppliers are companies that receive bulk goods in Gaylords.
Contact:
Script example:
“Hi, what do you currently do with your used Gaylord boxes? We collect them for free and can save you disposal costs.”
Most will be happy to work with you.
Only resell:
Grade them:
Higher grades = higher prices.
Your target markets are HUGE.
Sell to:
Where to list:
Tip: Niche down by offering specific dimensions. Buyers often need exact sizes.
Many buyers don’t have trucks or vans.
If you include delivery:
You can use:
The big money isn’t in one-off sales, it’s in repeat buyers.
Offer:
Your goal: become their “box guy.”
A realistic example:
Many small operators hit £50k–£100k/year with minimal overhead.
A Gaylord box is a large, heavy-duty cardboard container designed for shipping and storing bulk goods. You might also hear them called pallet boxes or bulk bins. They are popular because they are strong, reusable, and sit neatly on a pallet.
Your best bet is to approach companies that receive large shipments. This includes manufacturing plants, food processors, fulfilment centres, and large retail distributors. They often see these boxes as a waste product and will be glad you can take them away for free.
In the UK, a standard used Gaylord box typically sells for between £6 and £12. Stronger, cleaner, or specialised boxes like triple-wall or octagon-shaped ones can be sold for £15 or even more, depending on demand.
You should only sell boxes that are clean and structurally sound. Avoid any that have significant tears, crushed walls, or contamination from oil or chemicals. Sorting your boxes by grade (A, B, C) will help you price them correctly.
No, you don't need a lorry to begin. You can start with a pickup truck, a van, or even a rented vehicle. As your business grows, you might consider partnering with a local warehouse that has a forklift to help with loading and unloading, which can make the process much smoother.
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