Moving is an exciting time often filled with stress. Not to mention the hefty expenses that come with relocating! The last thing you want to shovel your money away to cardboard boxes that you’ll end up not using for the next few years.
Thankfully you don’t have to spend your hard earned money on moving boxes. There are free moving supplies available to you from various stores, online marketplaces and more. With the exception of a few special-size boxes designed to fit certain TVs and mirrors, you could potentially move your entire home in free boxes as well. Check out these 12 places to find free boxes near you!
1. Craigslist
You can find just about anything on this online marketplace. They are packed with local job listings, household furniture, cars and more. This website even has a “free” section where locals can lists things they are giving away. This is a good place to see if anyone is giving away moving boxes near you. You can even post your own ad to let people know you’re looking for free boxes and supplies.
2. Liquor stores
If you live near a wine and liquor store – you’re in luck! Don’t hesitate to pop in and ask the manager if you can take some boxes off their hands. Liquor stores receive tons of shipments every month, which means a lot of boxes you could use for moving. Don’t be shy about asking, liquor stores get more boxes than they know what to do with!
3. U-Haul Box Exchange
U-Haul’s Customer Connect Box Exchange feature allows people from all over the country to connect and find moving supplies. All you have to do is enter your location and/or a keyword, such as “Free Boxes,” to find someone near you who is giving away moving boxes. Usually, the people giving away moving boxes are folks who have recently moved themselves, and need to get a mountain of flattened moving boxes out of their house ASAP.
4. Friends and neighbors
The easiest way to get free boxes is by asking friends and neighbors. In today’s world, where everyone is plugged in 24/7, you can also just post a status on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to let friends know that you are looking for moving supplies.
5. Large retailers
You can be sure that large retailers will have a massive amount of boxes sitting around in the back. After all, they’re called “big box stores” for a reason. With shipments coming in every day, you should be able to find just about every kind of box at your local Walmart, Costco, Petsmart, Sam’s Club, Home Depot, Office Depot, Target, K-Mart and Best Buy – among others.
6. Offices
Your workplace can be littered with unused boxes. If you work in a large office, chances are good that they have a recycling room somewhere in the building.
7. Recycling drop off points
Most cities have multiple recycling drop-off locations that accept flattened corrugated cardboard. Assuming these boxes are in good enough shape to use again, you’re likely to find multiple moving boxes for your relocation.
8. Grocery stores
Small and large chain grocers have plenty of boxes up for grabs. Grocery stores receive shipments weekly, sometimes daily, to maintain a fresh produce inventory, so there’s no telling how many sturdy boxes they recycle every day. Next time you’re grocery shopping, I recommend letting a manager know that you’re moving soon, and would love to take those extra grocery store boxes off of their hands.