JOBLESS James Scarlett is running his own business – after thinking outside the box!
James, 27, who lives at Fenay Bridge, has launched Toadbox to rent out recycled plastic boxes for people moving house.
The company drops them off at the customer’s old house and picks them up again from their new address once they’ve moved in.
James had the brain wave when he was considering a house move earlier this year and went on the internet looking for suppliers of boxes.
“I was concerned about what I would do with the boxes once I’d moved,” he said.
“There didn’t seem to be anyone providing recycled plastic boxes.
“The thought struck me that there might be a gap in the market, so I got a website up and running and I’ve started getting business.”
James was unemployed at the time – having lost his job with a jewellers in Wakefield in January this year.
And he never did move house – because he invested his money in stocking up on the boxes, which are supplied by a Blackpool firm.
James said the boxes could be re-used an average of 400 times and are expected to survive for about five years before the plastic has to be recycled.
“The product is more convenient, affordable and environmentally friendly than the alternative,” he said.
“The plastic boxes are easily recyclable and doing so is far cleaner than recycling cardboard.”
Said James: “Cardboard and paper waste make up an estimated 26% of landfill material.
“It requires tons of water to recycle paper and cardboard boxes don’t last very long.”
Toadbox operates mainly in West and South Yorkshire at present, but James has ambitions to extend its geographical reach over time – as well as drumming up interest with local authorities and businesses moving premises.
