I'm surprised that REI had even been throwing out the boxes. AFAIK good corrugated cardboard is one of the few paper products considered ideal for recycling; even in the past many (non-bike) companies saved it for re-use or recycling. Anyway $15 box charge is not exorbitant compared to overall shipping cost. In the old days I would have preferred to support a local LBS but REI stocks touring bikes & gear unlike many LBS's.