10 Places To Get Free Moving Boxes
There’s a good chance finding free boxes is at the top of your checklist as you prepare to pack your entire home in cardboard. Generally speaking, you need around 45 medium boxes, 31 large boxes, 13 extra-large boxes and four wardrobe boxes to pack up a three-bedroom home with two adults, according to the calculator at Moving.com.
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The cost of boxes, tape and other moving supplies can quickly add up to hundreds of dollars, considering one medium-size moving box costs $1.98 at Home Depot. Faced with the cost of moving, you may prefer picking up free cardboard boxes around town. If you’re OK with boxes that have been previously used, that is a viable option.
10 Places To Get Free Moving Boxes
Fortunately, there’s no shortage of places to get free moving boxes. Businesses, schools and organizations that receive deliveries have boxes come through their doors, and many of them are willing to let you take the discarded boxes off their hands. People who have recently moved may offer the boxes they used to others who need them through apps for selling items.
If you’re on the hunt for free moving boxes, check out the places listed below.
1. Nextdoor
You’re moving out of your neighborhood, but it’s almost inevitable someone else recently moved in. Many people are more than happy to help their new neighbors — and create more space in their new home — so they post their moving boxes for free on Nextdoor.
2. Facebook Marketplace
A great place to connect with people in your local community who have something you need, it’s not uncommon to see listings advertising free boxes on Facebook Marketplace. Simply respond to the posting and arrange for pickup.
3. Craigslist
From job postings to apartment listings, Craigslist has it all — including people wanting to give away free moving boxes. Navigate to the page for your local area and type “free moving boxes” into the search field.
4. U-Haul Customer Connect
Sure, U-Haul sells new boxes, but you can also use the company’s Customer Connect feature to score them for free. This forum allows you to find customers looking to get rid of their boxes, effectively turning their castoffs into your treasure.
5. Freecycle
A grassroots site and entirely nonprofit movement to keep usable items out of landfills, Freecycle is a solid place to find free boxes. Browse the listings to find someone in your local area trying to get rid of their moving boxes.
6. OfferUp
If you’ve ever used OfferUp, you know the site is a great place to buy, sell and donate items — including finding free moving boxes within your local community. Finding what you need is as easy as typing “free moving boxes” into the site’s search feature.
7. 5miles
Another site that helps you connect with members of your community to buy, sell or donate items, 5miles is a great place to find free moving boxes. You’ll see all available listings in your local area after typing in your search terms and location.
8. Retail and Grocery Stores
Your local area likely has its fair share of retail shops, including big-box stores, bookstores, pet stores, pharmacies and liquor stores as well as chain and local grocery stores. Each of these stores receives regular shipments for all kinds of goods, so they should have boxes to spare.
9. Apartment Complexes
Big apartment buildings have a lot of tenants, which means people frequently move in and out. They most likely have a dumpster specifically for recycling, so it’s worth checking to see if anyone has left moving boxes on top of or beside it for the taking.
10. Restaurants, Bars and Night Clubs
These establishments receive frequent deliveries to keep their supplies stocked. Ask a manager what day deliveries come in and if they’re willing to save empty boxes for you. You might be able to really stock up by visiting an area with several restaurants or bars in a row.
Tips for Finding Free Moving Boxes
Be prepared to invest some time looking for boxes. It’s almost inevitable you’ll need to use several different sources, and you likely will visit each one multiple times to get enough boxes. As you do, keep the following tips in mind.
Find out when businesses receive deliveries. You might find deliveries arrive on a certain day — and boxes go fast — so you have to get to the store during a specific time frame.
Ask before you take boxes. Every store has different policies and procedures, so it’s always best to check with an employee to learn the specifics.
Inspect boxes to evaluate their condition. Water weakens cardboard, making it more likely to break even after it’s dry. Dirty boxes can damage the items placed inside them.
Start collecting boxes weeks before the move date. Gathering enough quality boxes from a trusted source to pack your entire home might take some time.
Final Take
Some stores and other sources will be very generous, while other potential suppliers won’t offer as many as you expected — perhaps none at all. Stay focused on the money you’re saving and move on to the next source. Then, when you’re all unpacked in your new home, return the favor by passing the boxes along to someone else who needs them.
FAQ
How can I find free shipping boxes?
The U.S. Postal Service, UPS and FedEx provide some free shipping supplies, including boxes. Note that these shipping boxes are intended for use with specific delivery services, like overnight delivery.
Can you get free boxes from Costco?
Costco does not advertise that it gives out free boxes, but customers report they've been able to score free boxes from the warehouse club store. Produce boxes tend to be popular since they must be sturdy enough to hold bananas, apples, and other fruits and vegetables.
Can you get free boxes from supermarkets?
Many supermarkets will give you free boxes if you ask. This saves them the work of breaking down, throwing away or recycling the boxes. Ask a store manager if they have boxes available and what you need to do to pick them up.
Allison Hache contributed to the reporting for this article.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 10 Places To Get Free Moving Boxes
