Scenic City Storage recycles boxes, packaging materials

photo Peter ImOberstag talks about packing materials that are available at Scenic City Storage in Hixson.

What: Storage supply recycling program

Company: Scenic City Storage

Location: 5027 Hixson Pike, Chattanooga

How it's green: Scenic City Storage employees were concerned about the amount of waste that customers' moves could send into a landfill. They decided to collect and distribute boxes, packing peanuts, bubble wrap and other packing supplies for free at their storage center.

Why do it this way?: The company also sells packing materials, but manager Maura Phillips said starting the program was the right thing to do, and hasn't cut into sales. "It's funny," she said. "There are customers who really want the new boxes, but there are also customers who want the recycled boxes and don't want to pay, so it all just evens out."

Advice for others considering green initiatives: Find any way, even a small one, to start down a green path. "It may be small. Sometimes the smallest change can make the biggest difference," Phillips said. "Just start somewhere."

Is environmentalism an essential part of the business and why? "We're working towards making it that way," Phillips said. Scenic City Storage is trying to help with several green programs, including paperless billing and collecting used furniture donations for Habitat for Humanity's ReStore. For more information about how to donate, call Phillips at 423-648-7867.

Upcoming Events