Free Stackable Storage from Lidl Nut Boxes

Cornucopia

I've found that the "outer" boxes that Lidl use for their extensive range of pre-packed nuts can be used to make stackable storage units. Stores are happy for you to remove one or two empty boxes (if there are any), but please ask if you want to rearrange their stock or take several at a time.

1. Get a few Nut boxes (ideally the beige coloured ones that don't have any brand names on). Get the ones that have triangular reinforcement pillars in each corner, inside the box.

2. Using a craft knife, cut the base of the box below the reinforcement pillars, to open a triangular hole that matches the inside of the reinforcement pillar above.

3. Using some other scrap cardboard, make 4 triangular posts. I have found that a length of 5 corrugations for the long side, and 3 for the two shorts sides fits well. Make the posts as long as the box is tall.

4. Insert the 4 posts into the top of the reinforcement pillar on one box, pushing them about half way down. Slot another box onto the top of the posts, forming a storage stack 2 boxes high. You can apply tape around the join, if you wish.

5. Rinse and repeat.

I've found the stack to be reasonably stable up to about 5 units high, although this could be increased by gluing them together horizontally to form a taller stack, two units wide. You could also use wooden dowel or plastic pipe to replace the cardboard posts for extra strength.