By the end of December most houses have the same pile: boxes from gifts, boxes from deliveries, and a few that have been waiting since October. Here is a calm way to get through it.
Flatten first, then decide
Slit the tape along the seams and press each box flat. A flat box takes up a fraction of the room, and you can see how much you really have. Peel off labels and large strips of tape if your local recycling asks for it.
Check your local rules
Rules for cardboard recycling vary from one town or county to the next. Some want it flat and bundled, some want it loose in a bin, and some limit how much you can put out in a week. A quick look at your local website saves a full bin and a missed collection.
Keep two or three
A couple of sturdy boxes are worth holding on to. They come in handy for sending things back, moving a few bits between houses, and storing out-of-season clothes. Anything beyond that can go.
Cut large boxes down to size
A big box is easier to carry and to fit in a bin once it's cut into panels. Work on a protected surface, cut along the folds rather than across them, and keep your free hand clear of the blade.
Give some a second job
A few panels make good drawer dividers. A flat piece under a paint tin protects the floor. A sheet of corrugated card is also a decent template for anything you want to mark out before you cut it.
Cutting boxes down to size is what our Cordless Rotary Scissors are for. They charge over USB and fit in one hand.