Every ton of recycled cardboard saves 17 treesReusing one box saves 3.5 kWh of energyCardboard can be recycled up to 7 timesWe have diverted over 2 million boxes from landfillsUsed boxes reduce carbon emissions by up to 60%One tree produces approximately 100 boxesPortland Boxes: 100% committed to zero-waste operationsChoosing used boxes saves up to 70% compared to newEvery ton of recycled cardboard saves 17 treesReusing one box saves 3.5 kWh of energyCardboard can be recycled up to 7 timesWe have diverted over 2 million boxes from landfillsUsed boxes reduce carbon emissions by up to 60%One tree produces approximately 100 boxesPortland Boxes: 100% committed to zero-waste operationsChoosing used boxes saves up to 70% compared to new
Portland Boxes
Partners

Our Sustainability Network

Sustainability is a team sport. We are proud to work alongside Portland's most forward-thinking organizations to build a truly circular economy.

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Why We Partner

Building Portland's Circular Economy Together

No single company can solve the packaging waste crisis alone. That is why we have built a network of over 60 partners across the Portland metro area — businesses, nonprofits, environmental organizations, and community groups that share our commitment to keeping materials in use and out of landfills.

Our partnerships are not surface-level sponsorships or logo placements. They are deep, operational collaborations that drive real impact. Our business partners supply us with surplus boxes and purchase used packaging for their operations. Our sustainability partners help us advocate for better policies and measure our environmental impact. Our community partners ensure that the benefits of the circular economy reach every corner of Portland.

Together, this network has diverted over 5 million boxes from landfills, planted 2,400+ trees, cleaned 12 tons of waste from Portland waterways, provided free boxes to 30+ nonprofits, and created over 40 green jobs in underserved communities. And we are just getting started.

60+
Active Partners
5M+
Boxes Diverted Together
2,400
Trees Planted
12 Tons
Waste Removed from Waterways
30+
Nonprofits Receiving Free Boxes
40+
Green Jobs Created

Business Partners

Local companies that supply and purchase used boxes through our network. These businesses form the backbone of our circular economy — providing a steady supply of surplus boxes and purchasing quality used packaging for their operations.

P
Pacific NW Fulfillment Centers

One of our largest box suppliers and buyers, processing over 5,000 e-commerce orders daily across three Portland-area warehouses.

C
Columbia River Warehousing

Provides us with a steady stream of industrial gaylord boxes and purchases our Grade A shipping boxes for their distribution clients.

W
Willamette Valley Distribution

Agricultural distribution company that supplies produce boxes and purchases custom-sized packaging for farm-to-table shipments.

C
Cascade Manufacturing Group

Major supplier of heavy-duty industrial containers. Their surplus boxes serve our manufacturing and warehouse clients.

R
Rose City Logistics

Third-party logistics provider that integrates our used box supply into their clients' packaging workflows, reducing costs by 40%.

B
Bridgetown Brewing Co.

One of Portland's beloved craft breweries, supplying us with bottle boxes and purchasing refurbished containers for distribution.

M
Mt. Hood Moving & Storage

Our largest moving industry partner, purchasing thousands of wardrobe boxes, dish packs, and book boxes monthly for their customers.

H
Hawthorne Tech Group

Technology company that supplies pristine equipment boxes and purchases custom packaging for their refurbished electronics business.

P
Pearl District Retail Collective

A consortium of 12 Pearl District boutiques that collectively source used shipping boxes from us for their e-commerce operations.

Sustainability Organizations

Environmental groups we collaborate with on zero-waste initiatives, policy advocacy, and community education. These partnerships amplify our impact far beyond what we could achieve alone.

P
Portland Zero Waste Alliance

We serve on the advisory board and contribute data on box reuse as a model for waste diversion in other packaging categories.

O
Oregon Environmental Council

Joint advocacy for extended producer responsibility legislation and circular economy policies at the state level.

S
Sustainable Portland

Co-host annual business sustainability workshops and share best practices for waste reduction with hundreds of local companies.

G
Green Building Alliance NW

Supply used boxes for green construction projects and partner on educational programs about sustainable building materials.

C
Circular Economy Portland

Founding member of this coalition of businesses committed to keeping materials in use and out of landfills.

F
Friends of Trees

For every 1,000 boxes diverted, we sponsor tree planting. Over 2,400 trees planted across Portland since 2023.

B
Bonneville Environmental Foundation

Partner for verified carbon offset purchases and renewable energy credit programs that power our operations.

C
Climate Action Coalition Oregon

Contribute operational data and case studies to demonstrate the economic viability of circular business models.

Community Partners

Schools, nonprofits, and community groups we support and work alongside. Our community partnerships focus on education, workforce development, and ensuring that sustainable packaging is accessible to organizations serving Portland's most vulnerable populations.

P
Portland Community College

Paid internship and apprenticeship program providing hands-on experience in logistics, operations, and sustainability management.

O
Oregon Food Bank

We donate thousands of clean, food-grade boxes annually for food distribution to families in need across the metro area.

H
Habitat for Humanity Portland

Supply boxes for their ReStore operations and homeowner move-in kits. We also volunteer on build days quarterly.

S
SOLVE Oregon

Co-sponsor quarterly waterway cleanup events. Our team has helped remove over 12 tons of waste from Portland rivers since 2022.

P
Portland Parks Foundation

Donate boxes for park event materials and sponsor their annual Earth Day celebration in Forest Park.

O
Outside In Youth Services

Provide boxes and packing materials for their transitional housing program, helping young people move into stable housing.

P
Portland Rescue Mission

Weekly box donations for their food pantry distribution and seasonal donation drives serving thousands of meals daily.

S
SE Works Workforce Development

Partner on their job training programs, offering workplace tours and potential employment pathways for program graduates.

O
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry

Supply large cardboard boxes for their popular Cardboard Challenge educational events attended by over 3,000 children annually.

Benefits

Partnership Benefits

When you partner with Portland Boxes, you gain more than a box supplier. You gain a sustainability ally invested in your success.

Revenue from Surplus Boxes

Turn your packaging waste into a revenue stream. Our Box Buyback program pays competitive rates for surplus boxes in good condition. Over 400 businesses earn money through our buyback program, with some generating over $1,000 per month from boxes they would otherwise discard.

Cost Savings on Packaging

Save 40-60% on box purchases compared to new packaging suppliers. Our volume discount tiers reward growing partnerships, and dedicated account managers proactively identify cost-saving opportunities based on your usage patterns.

Environmental Impact Reports

Every partner receives quarterly environmental impact reports showing boxes diverted, CO2 saved, water conserved, and trees preserved. These reports are branded with your company name and can be shared with customers, stakeholders, and sustainability auditors.

Marketing Co-Branding

Partners are featured on our website, social media, and marketing materials. We offer co-branded sustainability stories, joint press releases for milestone achievements, and inclusion in our annual Impact Report distributed to over 5,000 stakeholders.

Priority Service & Scheduling

Partners get priority access to our delivery fleet, guaranteed same-day delivery windows, and first right of refusal on specialty box sizes. During peak seasons, partners are always served before walk-in customers.

Sustainability Consulting

Our sustainability team provides complimentary waste audits, packaging optimization recommendations, and guidance on achieving zero-waste certifications. Many of our partners have used our expertise to earn Oregon Green Business certification.

Environmental Focus

Environmental Partnership Programs

Our environmental partnerships go far beyond standard corporate sponsorships. Each program addresses a specific ecological challenge with measurable outcomes.

Friends of Trees2,400+ trees planted

Tree Planting Initiative

For every 1,000 boxes we divert from landfills, we fund the planting of one native tree through Friends of Trees. Since 2023, this program has resulted in 2,400+ trees planted across Portland neighborhoods, school grounds, and public parks. Each tree absorbs approximately 48 pounds of CO2 per year, meaning our planted trees collectively remove over 57 tons of carbon annually. We prioritize planting in environmental justice communities with less than 30% tree canopy coverage.

SOLVE Oregon12 tons removed

Waterway Restoration

We co-sponsor quarterly waterway cleanup events along the Willamette River, Columbia Slough, and Johnson Creek. Our team of volunteers, joined by community members, has removed over 12 tons of waste from Portland waterways since 2022. This includes plastics, discarded packaging, and other debris that threatens fish habitat and water quality. Each event attracts 50-100 volunteers and covers 2-3 miles of riverbank.

Bonneville Environmental Foundation420 tons offset in 2025

Carbon Offset Program

We purchase verified carbon offsets through BEF for any greenhouse gas emissions we cannot eliminate through operational improvements. In 2025, we offset 420 tons of CO2 through investments in Pacific Northwest wind energy projects and forest conservation programs. Our goal is to achieve carbon-negative status by 2029, meaning we offset more than we produce.

Portland State University2 peer-reviewed studies

Lifecycle Research

Our research partnership with PSU's School of the Environment has produced two peer-reviewed studies on the environmental benefits of box reuse versus recycling. Their analysis independently verified that reusing a box saves 85% of the carbon emissions and 100% of the water compared to manufacturing a new box. This research is used by policymakers across Oregon to inform waste reduction legislation.

Oregon Environmental CouncilPolicy legislation passed

Zero Waste Policy Advocacy

We work alongside OEC to advocate for state-level policies supporting the circular economy. Our joint efforts contributed to the passage of Oregon's Extended Producer Responsibility legislation, which requires manufacturers to take responsibility for end-of-life packaging. We provide testimony, data, and case studies showing that box reuse is economically viable at scale.

OMSI3,000+ students reached

Community Education Initiative

Our partnership with the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry supports their Cardboard Challenge events, where thousands of children learn about recycling, reuse, and engineering through hands-on cardboard building projects. We supply materials, volunteer instructors, and educational content about the circular economy. In 2025, the program reached over 3,000 students across 15 events.

Impact

Community Impact by the Numbers

Our partnerships create ripple effects that extend far beyond box reuse. Here is the measurable community impact we have achieved together.

15,000+
Boxes Donated to Nonprofits Annually
40+
Green Jobs Created in Underserved Communities
3,000+
Students Reached Through Education Programs
12
Interns Hired into Full-Time Positions
200+
Volunteers Mobilized for Annual Cleanup Events
8.5 Tons
Waste Removed from Streets and Parks in 2025
$45,000+
Donated to Portland Nonprofits in 2025
25
Schools Visited Through Eco Education Program
Join Us

Become a Partner

We are always looking to expand our network. Whether you are a business with surplus boxes, an organization with an environmental mission, or a community group looking for support — there is a place for you in our network.

01

For Businesses

Whether you want to sell surplus boxes, purchase affordable used packaging, or both — we make it easy. Our business partnerships are flexible, with no long-term contracts required. We start with a simple conversation about your needs, provide a no-obligation quote, and can typically begin service within one week.

  • Box Buyback program enrollment
  • Volume purchasing agreements
  • Dedicated account management
  • Quarterly environmental impact reports
  • Co-marketing opportunities
02

For Environmental Organizations

We actively seek partnerships with environmental groups, research institutions, and advocacy organizations. We offer data sharing, joint program development, volunteer support, and financial sponsorship for aligned initiatives. Our goal is to amplify each other's impact.

  • Joint environmental programs
  • Data sharing and research support
  • Volunteer mobilization for events
  • Financial sponsorship for aligned causes
  • Policy advocacy collaboration
03

For Community Groups

Schools, nonprofits, shelters, food banks, and community organizations can apply for our Community Partner program. We provide free or deeply discounted boxes, volunteer support for events, educational workshops, and workforce development opportunities for your participants.

  • Free and discounted box programs
  • Educational workshops for students
  • Volunteer support for events
  • Internship and job placement programs
  • In-kind donation support

How to Get Started

1

Reach Out

Send us an email at info@portlandboxes.com. Tell us about your organization and what kind of partnership interests you. There is no commitment at this stage — just a conversation.

2

Discovery Meeting

We will schedule a 30-minute meeting (in person or virtual) to understand your goals, discuss potential partnership structures, and answer any questions. We will also tour your facility if applicable to understand your operations.

3

Partnership Proposal

Within one week of our meeting, we will send a tailored partnership proposal outlining specific programs, benefits, pricing (if applicable), and timeline. We design every partnership to be mutually beneficial.

4

Launch & Grow

Once we agree on terms, we launch quickly — typically within one to two weeks. Your dedicated partnership manager ensures smooth onboarding and ongoing communication. We review and optimize the partnership quarterly.

Ready to Join Our Network?

Whether you are a business, nonprofit, or community organization — we would love to explore how we can work together to build Portland's circular economy.

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