When planning a move, you need quality moving supplies like cardboard boxes to protect your belongings during transit. However, purchasing packing supplies hastily can quickly drain your budget and derail your planning timeline. Find out where to get free moving boxes to save money and have a happy moving experience.
Where to Get Free Moving Boxes
You can find free moving supplies by asking for cardboard boxes from retail shops and establishments that receive big shipments, like pharmacies, coffee shops, or liquor stores, or by checking local recycling centers. A quick search on online marketplaces or asking neighbors, family, and friends can also help you find free boxes. You might even find some through your school or workplace.
Don’t start plunking down cash for new moving boxes just yet. From our personal experience of helping people move sustainably, we’ve put together our top options on where to get moving boxes for your next move for free.
1. Recycling Centers and Dumpsters
A good place to look for used moving boxes is a recycling center in your city. In 2024, the cardboard recycling rate was between 69% and 74%, with more than 33 million tons of cardboard being recycled. You, too, can be part of the recycling efforts while getting free carton boxes for your moving needs.
2. U-Haul Box Exchange
The U-Haul Box Exchange is an excellent resource for free boxes, as it functions as an online message board where users can advertise and get rid of their used supplies. You can easily use a keyword search to find boxes in your specific location. This lets you find right-sized and sturdy boxes for fragile items, and can even trade your old boxes for new ones.
3. Craigslist
Most people don’t hang on to boxes after a move. It’s not uncommon for people to put up an ad on Craigslist and simply set it out on the curb for someone else to pick up. Do keep in mind that when you see an ad for boxes, you’ve got to get there quickly, because free boxes will go fast.
4. The Freecycle Network
The Freecycle Network creates a community-driven process where members can recycle and share stuff, including free moving boxes. This grassroots network makes it easy to find people giving away moving supplies in your local area. The program also encourages you to reduce waste while helping neighbors.
5. Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is a popular social media platform where people can advertise and give away free boxes to people in their general vicinity. You can easily search for cardboard boxes near your location. Connect with people who have recently moved and are eager to get rid of their supplies.
6. Nextdoor
Nextdoor is an online community that connects people within certain locations. It’s another excellent place to find free stuff for your move, as it has a section devoted to giveaways. You can post a request for moving boxes, and other users in your area may respond, allowing you to get boxes specifically designed for pillows and other lightweight items.
7. OfferUp
OfferUp is a convenient mobile app that provides local listings for stuff people are giving away, making it a reliable source to get any type of box for moving. You can use the search function to look for supplies in your neighborhood. You may even find special box kits for fragile items.
8. Large Retailers and Big Box Stores
Big-box stores like Costco, Sam’s Club, Home Depot, Office Depot, Target, Kmart, Best Buy, and IKEA regularly receive shipments and often have gigantic boxes perfect for kitchen items like dishes and oversized appliances. These retailers are typically happy to give away their empty cardboard containers rather than pay for disposal.
9. Local Grocery Stores
Local grocery stores regularly receive huge shipments of products packed in boxes. The large, quality boxes often used in grocery stores are perfect for packing heavy items like kitchen stuff or garage tools. Watch out for produce boxes because these usually get damp, which makes the boxes soggy.
10. Wine and Liquor Stores
Wine and liquor stores receive regular shipments of their products. Communicate with their managers or staff to save cardboard boxes from their next shipment, specifically for customers. These stores typically have sturdy, uniform-sized boxes that work well as boxes for heavier items.
11. Coffee Shops
Large chains and small businesses in your neighborhood regularly receive a shipment of their supply inventory, giving them a surplus of sturdy coffee boxes that they’re generally happy to give away. You can find a range of free moving boxes that are great for clothing and other light items.
12. Fast Food Stores and Restaurants
Restaurants and fast-food restaurants are often a good place to find free boxes that come in a range of sizes and quality, and some may come with lids and partitions. Like a liquor store, fast food restaurants receive daily shipments of items that come in boxes. These durable boxes can be great for bulky items.
13. Bars
Bars in your neighborhood often receive box supplies that come with partitions for glasses and other protective kits. This abundance of used items makes bars excellent sources for durable moving boxes, similar to what you’d find at the liquor store. These folks are usually happy to let you pack away their surplus box containers rather than disposing of them themselves.
14. Bookstores
A large-chain or even a locally-owned bookstore in your neighborhood can be a great place to find heavy-duty boxes. They need well-made box containers to hold books, and these used boxes are perfect for storing heavy objects. Bookstores will often recycle or have extra boxes from their deliveries, and they’re usually willing to give them away.
15. Arts, Crafts, and Hobby Stores
Arts and crafts retailers are an excellent location to find cardboard boxes because they receive frequent shipments of their products that are often heavy or fragile. You can ask if they have any boxes from their latest sale. You can use them for dishes and other heavy items that need extra protection during a move.
16. Pharmacies
Local pharmacies receive weekly shipments and often have flattened boxes available at their location. They function like big box stores in terms of regular deliveries, so it’s worth checking when their next shipment is expected to happen. These establishments typically accumulate surplus packaging that they’re willing to share with community members looking for free moving containers.
17. Offices
Office buildings are also great sources for free moving boxes, particularly reinforced boxes with lids from supply deliveries and equipment shipments that employees no longer need. You may even find some boxes with labels or color coding, perfect for personal items, especially if you have several family members who need them.
18. Auto Shops
Auto shops regularly receive shipments of car parts and accessories that often arrive in strong, large boxes that are perfect for moving. These heavy-duty boxes are ideal as moving kits for tools and other heavy objects. Call your local shop ahead to ask if they can save a box for you.
19. Schools
Local schools also typically receive shipments of school and office supplies in sturdy containers. Boxed items may also come from a school’s extra-curricular activities. Call their front office or property custodian to inquire about free boxes that are often available to get through the school week.
20. Libraries
Like schools, trust neighborhood libraries to have stacks of free cardboard boxes. The best part is that these quality boxes can accommodate the weight of heavy books. These boxes are often well-made, and you can also find smaller boxes that are a great fit for fragile objects or bulky clothing.
21. Neighborhood Houses and Apartment complexes
Ask around your community and even the neighbor next door to see if they have moving boxes to spare. You can spread the word on your local community board. From their furniture boxes to regular grocery boxes, you can find an array of sizes to pack your belongings.
22. College Dorms
The beginning and end of the semester are great times to find a ton of free cardboard boxes at a local college. Students will be moving in and out of their dorms, and sometimes those may just end up in the trash. The boxes will be extra solid, so you can stop by and grab them at the end of the week after everyone has moved in for the fall or spring semesters.
23. Yard and Garage Sales
At the end of the sale, you can often find a ton of moving boxes that the sellers are happy to give away. It’s a good idea to attend a big sale in your neighborhood and speak with your neighbors. They may even help you find reinforced boxes to pack everything from heavy furniture to clothing.
24. Relatives and Friends
Know some folks who recently moved? Ask ahead if you can use the boxes to make your own move. Their cardboard boxes may even come from moving companies, which makes the sizes and quality suitable for different kinds of objects.
25. Parcels and Deliveries
Do you regularly order items online and receive parcels? Online shopping, packaging, and mail often come with cardboard boxes and bubble wrap. Depending on the box structure, you may still use the empty boxes for lighter items like bedding and pillows.
What Are the Factors to Consider When Using Free Cardboard Boxes for Packing?
Boxes can keep your belongings protected during transport. It’s important to consider these aspects to determine if the boxes you get for free are suitable for your packing needs.
1. Cleanliness and Contamination Risks
Used cardboard boxes, especially those that come from local food establishments, may harbor smells, stains, or contaminants. You need to consider if reusing the boxes may transfer odors, bacteria, or other harmful substances to your belongings.
2. Box Condition and Structural Integrity
You also need a keen eye for good boxes. The best moving boxes have only been used once or twice and are made of thick cardboard. Avoid any boxes that have gotten wet since their structural integrity will be compromised.
3. Time and Effort Consumed
Another thing to consider is the time it will take to get the storage boxes. If you have to drive miles away or make numerous trips, the cost of gas could be the same as buying new boxes. If you can’t get 5 or more boxes at once, or if it’s more than 30 miles one-way, it’s usually best to keep looking.
4. Availability and Consistency
With used boxes, you may end up with irregular shapes and a random assortment, which can make it difficult to stack boxes efficiently, especially if you need to pack for your car as well. This inconsistency can force you into last-minute purchases of proper boxes when you discover that the options don’t meet your specific size or structural requirements for safe shipping.
What Are the Things to Do When Reusing Free Cardboard Boxes for Moving?
Whether you get boxes from local recycling stations, schools, the mail, or from your friends, you still need to prepare the boxes for proper reuse. Taking the right precautions ahead of time can save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
- Inspect for damage: Check that boxes haven’t been broken or weakened, as damaged containers may fall apart during your move.
- Reinforce weak boxes: Strengthen any boxes that seem unable to handle heavy loads by adding extra packing tape to prevent structural failure.
- Seek permission before taking: Ask for permission before taking boxes from stores or businesses, rather than assuming it’s acceptable to take them immediately.
- Avoid sharing your relocation details: Don’t post your moving plans publicly, as there’s no need for you to openly share the reason why you need the boxes.
- Contact professionals when needed: Finally, don’t hesitate to seek professional guidance from our moving company if you’re hesitant about box quality or packing techniques.
What Should I Use to Reinforce the Structure of Used Boxes?
You could get lucky, save money, and find boxes that are in perfect moving condition. However, chances are the used boxes you find will be broken down and flat. To get them ready for your move, you’ll need a few extra items:
- Packing tape
- Markers
- Packing paper, foam peanuts, bubble wrap
- Moving accessories like straps and belts
Related Questions
Where’s the Best Place to Get Free Moving Boxes?
Online sources like Facebook Marketplace are a great way to connect with neighbors who are giving away boxes after their own moves, or you can often find them at retailers like Costco. For a wide range of box sizes, you can also check local recycling stations, restaurants, liquor stores, and your apartment complex.
Does Walmart Give Free Moving Boxes?
Walmart doesn’t have a formal policy about giving customers free boxes for moving, although you can try asking staff after their restocking period. The key is to plan ahead and ask a staff member politely if they have any extra cardboard boxes you can take.
Does Home Depot Give Free Moving Boxes?
Home Depot doesn’t give free moving boxes, although you can buy a wide variety of quality Home Depot moving boxes here. They offer a selection of moving supplies and friendly staff to help you determine your needs.
How Many Moving Boxes Do I Need?
The number of moving boxes you need depends on factors like the number of bedrooms, the number of people, and your packing style. Weight is also an important part of the moving process, as moving boxes can usually hold between 30-150 pounds each, depending on their size.
How Much Do Moving Boxes Cost?
Moving boxes can cost between $5-$8 per box, depending on the size you’re getting. Many people spend $100-200 just on moving boxes, and that’s not factoring in specialty boxes that cost more than your standard cardboard container. You can check our packages and special offers to save on moving supplies.
Conclusion
Don’t have time to find free boxes? At Square Cow Movers, we offer affordable rates on packing materials. This allows us to reduce the eco footprint of a move and help clients have a stress-free and happy moving day. We also offer a slew of affordable moving services throughout Texas.