Moving comes with plenty of expenses, but paying for boxes doesn’t have to be one of them when you know the 7 best places to find free moving boxes. Plenty of people and businesses are happy to give away sturdy, reusable boxes for free—you just need to know where to look.
From local stores to online exchanges, this guide will help you find the best places to stock up on moving boxes without spending a dime.
1. Craigslist
Craigslist is a reliable source for free moving boxes. Recent movers are often eager to recycle and will give away all kinds of boxes. With some time and effort, you can find large, sturdy boxes perfect for kitchen dishes, glassware, and books.
How to Get Free Moving Boxes from Craigslist
- Visit the Craigslist Website: Head to craigslist.org and select your area or city from the drop-down menu to view listings.
- Find the “Free” Section: In the For Sale section, click on Free. This is where people give away all kinds of items.
- Search for “Moving Boxes”: Use the search bar to enter terms like “moving boxes,” “free boxes,” “cardboard,” or “packing boxes.”
- Filter by Location: Use the map feature or drop-down menu to filter search results by location. This way, you can find boxes before they run out, or you can save time and gas.
- Respond Quickly: Enter the site regularly and respond quickly to box postings. You’re competing with a lot of people who are also looking for free stuff.
Additional Advice
- Check Craigslist Often: This is especially helpful for finding free moving boxes. People with nice boxes you’d love to steal (err, collect) will post them online, so check frequently.
- Respond ASAP: Great boxes go fast, often within hours. You’re not the only one who’s checked Craigslist for free moving boxes.
- Be Nice and Accommodating: When contacting box folks, be sure to introduce yourself and be flexible with your timing. People are more likely to want to give you their boxes if you’re nice and don’t treat them like a shipping port.
- Bring Bags and Time to Gather: When you go to collect your free boxes, bring a vehicle and some sturdy bags to fill and carry.
2. Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace doesn’t have the selection of items that other online marketplaces offer, but it’s quickly become our go-to place to find free moving boxes.
The beauty of Facebook Marketplace is that it’s so easy to use and local, which makes it perfect for finding boxes in your area. You can browse by location, and it’s common to find people giving away all kinds of boxes, from Wardrobe boxes to large engine boxes. Many people will post that they have “free moving boxes” and their addresses. It’s a great way to reduce waste, and it’s free!
How to Find Free Moving Boxes on Facebook Marketplace
- Search for Free Boxes: The first thing you can do is use the search bar at the top of the Marketplace page. Type in keywords like “free boxes,” “moving boxes,” “free packing supplies,” and your city or zip code.
- Apply Filters: To narrow your search results, you can add some filters. I have my search set to show only “For Sale” items, and I sorted the results by most recent at the top. You can also add a category filter to show only “Free” items.
- Browse Community Groups: We also recommend browsing Facebook groups set up for your local area or community.
- Contact the Poster: Once you find a post with free boxes, send the person a message and ask if the boxes are still available and when you can stop by to pick them up. A quick and polite message can mean the difference between getting the boxes or not.
Facebook Groups
In addition to Facebook Marketplace, we recommend joining local Facebook groups that are set up for your community. These groups are usually called “Buy Nothing” or “Free and For Sale,” and they’re a great way to connect with people in your area who are giving away items.
3. Recycling Centers
Recycling centers are not the most exciting places to visit, but they are a great source for free moving boxes. Recycling centers collect tons of cardboard from local businesses and homeowners, and many of the boxes are still in great condition and sturdy enough to use for your move. Visiting a recycling center will give you access to a wide variety of box sizes, and you’ll feel good knowing you’re helping to support the cause of recycling by using their boxes. Just be sure to clean them up first and dry them out if they’re wet from previous use.
Here’s how you can hunt for free moving boxes at a recycling center: Contact your local recycling center before visiting to make sure they allow the general public to browse their usable cardboard. Most centers will set their used boxes aside for you if you give them a call.
Timing is everything; morning visits will give you access to the latest arrivals. You’ll need to bring your own luggage to haul your boxes away, and be sure to inspect each box before taking it home. Check for durability and cleanliness before adding it to your moving box stack. Recycling centers are a reliable and earth-friendly way to stock up on boxes for your move.
Image from: https://myuhaulstory.com/
4. U-Haul Customer Connect
U-Haul is more than moving trucks. The company has created a revolutionary online platform to help customers obtain free or low-cost moving supplies. At the core of this initiative is the Customer Connect box exchange program. Here, people can buy or sell new and gently used household moving boxes. This is a great resource for hard-to-find specialty boxes like wardrobe boxes, dish pack boxes, and more.
Here’s how you can be a part of this eco-friendly initiative:
- Visit the Website: Go to S.U.B.’s U-Haul website and click on Moving Supplies, then Exchange Boxes.
- Enter Your City, State, or Zip: Enter your city, state, or zip code to reveal listings for free or low-cost boxes in your area.
- Browse Free Box Listings: Use the search function to sort through the listings and find free boxes. If you’re interested in a specific listing, click on it to view details.
- Connect with the Person: Contact the person offering the boxes you need. U-Haul’s user-friendly messaging system allows you to set up a time to pick up the boxes.
- Inspect and Grab: Before taking the boxes, inspect them to make sure they meet your moving needs.
5. Walmart
Walmart is a great spot to find free moving boxes, especially late at night. After 10 PM, employees typically restock shelves and break down empty boxes for disposal or recycling. This makes it an ideal time to ask for boxes that are still intact and sturdy.
Among the boxes you may find, electronics boxes are super sturdy and perfect for protecting your fragile belongings. Grocery boxes are also great because they are double-boxed, making them perfect for heavy items. Be sure to be nice to the employees in the warehouse and ask if you can have some boxes that they are not planning to crush soon. They are often happy to set aside boxes that are still in good condition. With a little timing and politeness, you can score some great free moving boxes at Walmart.
6. Liquor Stores
Oftentimes, Liquor stores will gladly give you their excess boxes, which are the perfect sizes for packing smaller, heavier items like books, dishes, or glassware. These boxes are designed to hold bottles securely, so they’re built to be sturdy and reliable for moving.
To get free boxes from a liquor store, visit shortly after their delivery days, as this is when they’ll have the most boxes available. Politely ask the staff if they have any spare boxes they’re planning to discard. Many stores are happy to give them away to avoid the hassle of disposal. Liquor stores often keep extra boxes set aside for recycling, so they’re a dependable option for finding sturdy packing supplies.
7. Office Supply Stores
Office supply stores are a fantastic source for free moving boxes, especially paper ream boxes. These boxes are sturdy and compact, making them ideal for packing heavy items like books, files, or other small belongings.
Stores like Staples, Office Depot, and FedEx Office are great places to check. The best time to visit is after major restocking days when they’re likely to have empty boxes available. Politely ask staff members if they have any unused boxes they’re willing to give away. Many employees are happy to help, as it saves them the effort of breaking down and recycling the boxes. With a little planning, office supply stores can provide high-quality packing materials for your move.
Wrapping Up Your Moving Box Hunt
Finding free moving boxes doesn’t have to be a hassle when you know where to look. Some of the 7 best places to find free moving boxes include online marketplaces like Craigslist and Facebook, along with local stores and recycling centers. There are plenty of options to collect sturdy boxes for your move while saving money and reducing waste.
With a bit of planning and polite inquiries, you can easily gather everything you need to pack efficiently and sustainably. Happy moving!