Even though you may have unpacked all your belongings and settled into your new home, you still have one lingering issue to attend to: all the leftover cardboard boxes, packing peanuts, and bubble wrap you no longer need to protect and move your stuff. Rather than let this stuff sit in your basement accumulating dust and spider webs, here are three things you can do with it instead.

Sell Them

Moving to a new home can leave a person strapped for cash. One way to recoup some of your expenses is to sell your packing materials to others who need it. For instance, you can sell cardboard boxes on specialty websites such as Box Cycle and Used Cardboard Boxes. Craigslist and similar online classified ad sites are a great place to unload bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and other moving materials, and you may get more money for them since you don't have to pay to ship them to the buyer.

Be aware that packing materials are generally cheap when they're brand new, so you will likely only make a fraction of what you paid for when you bought them. However, this is still a good way to get some spending money and declutter your home.

Reuse Them

Another option is to find uses for them in your life. Cardboard boxes can be repurposed into a number of things, such as a rope-wrapped storage bin, custom kitty litter box, or chalkboard sign. Bubble wrap can be used to protect delicate fruits and vegetable—such as bananas and tomatoes—from bruising in your shopping bags or to provide extra cushioning to gifts you send to loved ones in the mail.

You can find a lot of creative inspiration by searching on Pinterest or doing a search online for craft projects involving your leftover packing materials.

Donate Them

A third option is to donate the materials to local businesses and charities. For instance, the Salvation Army, Goodwill, and similar organizations can always use boxes to pack and store the many donations they receive. You can also contact local shelters to see if they need boxes for the people that may use their services.

Besides helping other people in need, you can deduct the value of your donation from your taxes when you give your used packing materials to a non-profit organization. Just be certain the organization is certified 501(c)(3) by the IRS and get a receipt to file with your taxes.

For more tips on what to do with your used packing materials or help moving to a new home, contact a local moving company. such as Bekins Transfer & Storage.