Where to Find Moving Boxes for Free

Anytime you move from one location to another, whether it is across town or to another country, you will need boxes to pack your belongings.  If you hire a professional moving company to pack and move your items, the cost of the boxes is probably included in the overall price.  If you want to save money or you are packing your own belongings, you need to know where to find moving boxes for free.

• Contact your local grocery or retail store.  Ask if the assistants can hold boxes for you to pick up.  Many stores breakdown these boxes and recycle them.  Instead of sending them to the recycler, local stores can keep some boxes for local residents if requested.  You’ll probably have a time period in which to pick up the boxes.  If you don’t show up, they will get rid of them.  Stores really don’t have the space to store boxes, but most of them will help a local customer for a short period of time.


• Look for empty boxes when you are shopping.  Many stores keep items in the box on the shelf.  Empty boxes are discarded.  If you find them, place them in your cart and ask a manager if you can take them.  Some bulk stores like Sam’s Club have boxes available in bins at the cash registers for customer use.  Discount grocery stores, like Aldi Foods, use boxes to display foods for purchase on shelves.  Customers are encouraged to take empty boxes.


• Place an ad on Craigslist asking for empty boxes.  In your ad, be sure to state that you are willing to pick up boxes at a convenient time.  You may also look under the “Free” section for moving boxes.  You can search for “moving boxes” on the homepage to find boxes in your area.


• Post a status update asking for free moving boxes on Facebook or other social network.  Someone in your network of contacts may have boxes or know somewhere you can get moving boxes for free.


• Call businesses, local schools and community colleges.  Ask if you can pick up empty paper boxes.  Many of these facilities go through cases of paper a day.  They have no where to store empty boxes and may be happy to give them to you, upon request.


• Go to FreeCardboardBoxes.com and look for local posts offering free moving boxes.  This site is dedicated to helping people find and get rid of cardboard boxes for free.  If you find free boxes available in your area on this site, be sure to repost an ad offering the boxes to someone who may need them when you are finished.


• Visit your local United States Postal Service office.  They supply boxes for free.  These boxes are the USPS flat rate boxes (if used for shipping) and make great sturdy boxes for smaller household items.  You can also pack items in the small boxes and then load the smaller boxes in a bigger box when you get some.  If you go to the USPS website, you can have up to 25 boxes delivered to your home for free.


• Talk to family, friends, neighbors and co-workers.  You never know what people have in their home that they would be happy to get rid of, especially to help you in the moving process.  Many people have boxes in their basement and attic; they don’t even realize it until someone asks for them.


• Search the U-Haul website for their Box Exchange Program.  This is a forum-like site that allows people to post requests for moving boxes or post moving box availability.  Some retail and food stores use this program to get rid of their excess boxes, in order to help people in the community with the moving process.


• Set up an account on FreeCycle.org.  You will have to look for a group in your area by clicking on your state and then finding a group in your area.  This site allows members to post anything for free.  Free is the only requirement.  The membership is free, the ads are free and the items available must be free.  This is a great way to find free moving boxes in your area.