13 Places to Find Free Moving Boxes

When moving home, it is normal that you want to stay on a budget and avoid unnecessary costs. Moving expenses can really become high when you consider everything involved in the process. There are some things that are worth spending money on and that require professional services, such as transportation when moving long-distance, moving valuable artwork, or moving a piano, so always consider hiring piano movers NYC or NYC art movers.

However, many things you can do alone and avoid breaking the budget. One of those things is packing. Even though it is time-consuming and rather boring, it will definitely save you money compared to hiring packers. But even things that seem small and cheap such as packing equipment can add up and become a great cost. Consider how many moving boxes you need to pack the entire household, and include the cost of bubble wrap, packing paper, tape, and other materials necessary to pack properly. Here you can find the ultimate packing supplies list in 2020.

The good news is, you don’t have to purchase everything you need to pack. For instance, you can find free moving boxes and save a few bucks. Many places around you have them; you just need to know where to ask. If you prefer to do things online, there are also online stores and communities perfect for finding free moving boxes. We prepared for you a list of several places that you can check out, and for sure one of them will have boxes of shape and size that fit your needs. Keep reading to find 10 places to find moving boxes.

1. Your friends

Your first stop on a way to find free moving boxes are people you know. People often keep boxes in good shape for later use. Sometimes they simply forget to recycle and they end up with clutter in their basement. The good news is that you can put that clutter to good use. Ask around if any of your friends moved recently, or your family, ask everyone you are close with. Chances are your search will end here, but if not, there are other ways to find them.

2. Liquor store

For sure there is a liquor store just around the corner. Stop by and ask them if they have any boxes available to give to you. Because liquor is heavy, those boxes are often small and extra sturdy. They are suitable if you are moving small and heavy items, such as CDs and DVDs.

3. You can find free moving boxes at the grocery store

If you live near the grocery store, that is your safe bet as well. Grocery stores are getting their deliveries mostly in cardboard boxes, and because their merchandise needs to remain fresh, they get it quite often. Lots of boxes are still in pretty good shape after. If they are not available at the given moment, don’t be shy to ask when the next delivery is happening, and for sure they will be happy to provide some.

4. Big box stores

Large retailers are getting their merchandise on a daily bases. That leaves them with a huge amount of boxes sitting in the back. Check one of the big stores near you, such as Walmart, Costco, Sam’s Club, Home Depot, K-Mart, etc.

5. Check recycled points for free moving boxes

Chances are that your town has a location where people drop off things for recycling. That can be a perfect place to find free boxes. Visit one of them and probably you will find some that are sturdy enough to be used for moving. You can do the same after your move is done and recycle used cardboard.

6. Craigslist

Craigslist has a huge section of free things and it is pretty easy to navigate. You can go straight to the free bar and type in “boxes”. The best day to search is probably Monday because most people use weekends to move.

7. A bookstore

If a bookstore is closer to your home than the grocery store, stop by and ask them about their next shipment. Books are quite heavy so they get delivered in sturdy cardboard boxes. If you have many heavy items to pack, those will come in quite handy.

8. Starbucks

Imagine the size and variety of shipments that such a popular coffee chain gets. They will likely have any size and type of box you need. And you can grab a cup of coffee, too, which is a good idea while you are saving money on moving boxes.

9. Community groups

If you are living in NYC, for sure you already have a strong sense of community. The great news is that many people are being extra nice and thinking that sharing is caring. You can easily find one of the community groups on Facebook and you will be pleasantly surprised how many people are willing to help and give away their boxes for free. Another good thing is that most communities are local, so you can reach your boxes easily without driving for many hours.

10. Dollar stores

Have you ever been to the dollar store? For sure you’ve noticed how much merchandise they have. A huge amount of merchandise means plenty of shipments (read plenty of moving boxes). Since items are so cheap, they sell quickly and replenish often. Visit them and check if they have some cardboard boxes to give to you. Make sure you ask them because they definitely have plenty.

11. U-Haul

Did you know that every U-Haul store has a location where people can drop off their used boxes for other people to use? Yes, it is pretty cool. Just visit one of their stores and ask a supervisor if they have any boxes available at the moment.

12. Freecycle

This is one of the online groups whose members care about the environment. All you have to do is join a group and write how many boxes you need and which types. You will likely get a response pretty fast in case there are boxes available according to your description.

13. OfferUp app offers free moving boxes as well

This is another app that has plenty of free things, including free moving boxes. It is easy to find what you are searching for because many people are posting their things willing to give them away free of charge.