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Moving to a new place is exciting, but let's face it, packing up all your belongings can be a real chore. One of the biggest challenges is finding enough boxes to safely transport your stuff. But don't fret; there are numerous ways to snag free moving boxes near you. In this article, we'll explore some clever options and offer tips on where to find these boxes to make your move a breeze.
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Online Marketplaces
We live in the digital age, and platforms like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace are treasure troves for finding free moving boxes. Many people who have recently moved will offer their used boxes for free. Be sure to check your local listings.
Craigslist
Head over to Craigslist and do a quick search of the free section (it’s found under the “for sale” heading) to find free boxes from folks in your community. You can even utilize the “wanted” section to post that you're looking for free moving boxes. While you’re browsing, you might even discover other things that might help with your move or settling in your new place!
Freecycle
Quite similar to Craigslist, Freecycle can also help you grab some free boxes. Its goal is to connect neighbors and communities in order to prevent items from ending up in landfills – boxes fit the bill. Simply sign up (It’s free to sign up!) and then post that you’re looking for free moving boxes.
OfferUp
OfferUp connects you to people in your area who are buying and selling locally. Try your luck searching “free moving boxes” and it will connect you to others looking to get rid of their boxes.
Facebook is good for a lot of things, and this is no different! Put the call out to your friends and see if they have some! You can even venture over to Facebook Marketplace and see if you can search for some out in your area!
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Neighbors and Friends
Sometimes, all you need to do is ask. Reach out to your neighbors or friends who have recently moved and see if they have any leftover boxes. Many people are more than willing to part with their boxes after a move.
Nextdoor
Nextdoor is similar to OfferUp in that it connects you with folks near you to help you find what you’re looking for! Maybe some of your neighbors have extra boxes lying around or they can point you to someone who does.
PRO TIP: Did you know? The little silica gel bags that are found in shoes, purses, and electronics are perfect for moving! The purpose of the silica gel is to absorb moisture and keep humidity from affecting products during transport and storage. Placing them in your boxes will help to keep your stuff good! It’s especially helpful to put them in with your photographs – it will help prevent them from sticking together or to the glass of your frames! Save those little packets every chance you get and maybe ask your friends and neighbors to hold those for you as well!
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Local Retail Stores
Large retail chains often have various sizes of boxes available. With shipments coming in every day, you should be able to find just about every kind of box at your local retailers like Walmart, Costco, Sam’s Club, Home Depot, Office Depot, and Target!
Don’t forget about Petco and PetSmart – they would have a magnitude of boxes as well. It’s always a good idea to ask for these boxes, but they have such a large amount of boxes coming through each day that most are quite happy to oblige!
Local Grocery Stores and Supermarkets
Start your quest for free moving boxes at local grocery stores or supermarkets. These places receive shipments daily, and the boxes used for fruits, vegetables, and canned goods are often sturdy and ideal for moving. Just ask the store manager if you can take some off their hands.
Egg boxes are built sturdy because those eggs are fragile! Produce and fruits like bananas and apples come in boxes with the handles cut in for easy handling. Rumor has it that the best grocery stores for boxes are Kroger, Trader Joe’s, Safeway, Whole Foods, WinCo, and Albertsons. Timing also matters at grocery stores. A lot of them are unloading boxes first thing in the morning, making early birds more successful!
Liquor Stores
Liquor stores are another hidden gem for scoring free boxes. The boxes used to transport wine and spirits are usually strong and come with dividers, which are great for packing fragile items. Another nice thing about boxes from the liquor store is that are partitioned, so they could be good for packing glasses, dishes, and other fragile items. Keep them from colliding and breaking in the moving process. (I like partitioned boxes for storing my Christmas ornaments too! So, once you’re done with them from moving, hang on to them for that purpose!) Visit your nearest liquor store and inquire about available boxes.
Bookstores and Libraries
Bookstores and libraries often have an excess of sturdy, medium-sized boxes. Since books are heavy, these boxes are built to handle weight. Call or visit your local bookstore or library and ask if they can set some aside for you.
Office Supply Stores
Office supply stores receive shipments regularly, and their boxes are typically strong and well-constructed. They are great for packing small to medium-sized items. Approach the store manager and inquire about getting some boxes.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies, like Walgreens, are a great place to check with too! The boxes that medicines come in are usually pretty reinforced so they don’t get crushed and that’s good news for your belongings. Walgreens, Rite Aid, and CVS immediately come to mind, but if you have smaller, more local ones, they might be extra willing to pass them on as it is one less thing they will have to take care of!
Appliance and Electronics Stores
Appliance and electronics stores have BIG, sturdy boxes since the items they sell are so large. Now you might be thinking smaller boxes are more manageable to move in and out -- but hear me out on this one! Wardrobe boxes are very hard to come by, but they make your life so easy when it comes to moving a closet full of clothes! So just DIY one with the larger boxes you can score at these stores! With these big boxes, you can cut holes and add a dowel! Just duct tape it securely in place and voila! Start moving your clothes from the closet to the dowel and go! It sure beats taking the clothes off the hanger and folding them into boxes only to have to redo it all at the new place. It’s like a quick transfer!
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Restaurants and Bars
Restaurants probably aren’t the first place to come to mind, but rumor is they are usually quite willing to help! Starbucks has been noted as being a willing source as has McDonald’s! You will want to make sure that what was in them didn’t leak or smell. Those things (especially scents) can transfer onto your stuff! But considering most items come in frozen, you should be okay! Don’t forget local bars too! They’ll have similar boxes to that of the liquor stores!
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Offices
Offices tend to go through a lot of paper. Paper reams come in a very uniform size box WITH a lid! This means these boxes store AND stack very well! You won’t be playing a game of Tetris with these boxes. They may have access to other boxes from deliveries as well. As long as you are willing to come and get them, they are usually more than happy to set them aside for you!
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U-Haul Consumer Connect
You’re probably going to be renting a U-Haul to move your stuff, but did you think about them for boxes too? But, guess what? They have their U-Haul Box Exchange on their U-Haul Consumer Connect! In an effort to reduce waste, they help its customers sell, give away, or find boxes and moving supplies. They even have several programs that allow their customers to get together and share rides. Ride-sharing could come in handy with college-bound kids! It’s worth checking out as there’s no telling what you might discover!
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Local Recycling Centers
Most recycling centers have a designated area where people can drop off lightly used boxes for others to reuse. They will likely be flattened making it easy to grab a bunch – and there will be lots available! You should find a variety of thicknesses and sizes too! All you’ll need is a little packing tape to put them back together.
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Schools
Schools also go through a ton of boxes with all the supplies they need on any given day and they would probably be the most willing to set them aside for you to pick up! You’re dropping off and picking up the kids anyway, so it’s probably the most convenient as well! Granted, you’ll probably only have luck during the times that school is in session, so keep that in consideration!
PRO TIP: Check College Dorms and Apartment Complexes! If there’s one place that sees a lot of moving in and moving out, it’s college dorms and apartment complexes! You might check to see if there are any up for grabs from someone who has just moved in.
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Tips for Finding and Using Free Moving Boxes:
Start Early: Begin your search for boxes well in advance of your moving date. This gives you time to collect enough and not feel rushed.
Inspect the Boxes: Before taking any boxes, inspect them for damage, pests, or odors. You don't want any surprises on moving day.
Pack Strategically: Be mindful of what you pack in each box. Use small boxes for heavy items and larger boxes for lighter belongings.
Label Clearly: Label your boxes with their contents and the room they belong to. This will make unpacking a breeze.
Recycle or Share: Once you're done with the boxes, consider recycling them or passing them on to someone else who's moving.
Finding free moving boxes near you can save you money and help the environment by reusing materials. So, start your search early, explore these options, and happy packing for your upcoming move!
BONUS: Check out these moving products on sale while you are here and save some money!
