What has happened to cardboard boxes?

[DogualCat]

I've just spent over an hour of my life breaking down cardboard boxes that have been sitting in the Garage since Christmas. Normally I would fold them down, stick them on a local group page and someone would take them off my hands to reuse. Not anymore!

Gone are the days it seems of a normal cardboard box that folds up flat after the sellotape or paper tape is removed. Now they are made from various origami like, complex designs and held together with glue, corrugated edges or some kind of unshakeable mega solvent.

By the time you’ve opened the box, worked out how it comes apart then managed to get it broken down the box is in unusable and only fit for recycling. I nearly had a meltdown faced with a large box from Pets at Home and resorted in tearing it into bits!

Please tell me I’m not alone and others have encountered these boxes from hell?

Gousto ones are the worst.

The inner ones with the cold packs in are a bastard. I’ve broken/bent back my nails so many times have stopped ordering.

YANBU, I received a parcel the other day and considered phoning the army to come and do a controlled explosion.

It took me 15 minutes to get it open and when I did, they'd sent the wrong bloody item! 🤬🤬

I have loads of plain cardboard boxes of all sizes and still get them because I shop online quite a bit and have things delivered. Plus big, heavy duty, paper bags. My recycling bin is always full.

I blame Brexit or, failing that, I blame the EU.