How to Get Free Moving Boxes

Co-authored by Marty Stevens-Heebner, SMM-C, CPO®

Last Updated: March 20, 2023 References

Moving is already a burdensome and costly process, but you can make it easier and slightly cheaper by finding free moving boxes! Instead of spending money and time on buying new boxes, ask around for free ones and help people get rid of used cardboard. Check your local retail stores, grocery and liquor stores, fast food restaurants, and garage sales. Talk to your friends, family, neighbors, and community groups, in addition to posting online on message boards, to find free boxes quickly!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Finding Free Moving Boxes Locally

1
Check the nearest office supply store. Office supplies often require strong boxes, and typically come with a lot of packing material. Drop by Staples, Office Depot, or any office supply store close by. Ask to speak to a manager, and see if they have any free boxes they don’t use.^{[1]
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- Ask if they specifically have printer or copy paper boxes. Due to their large size, those will help you carry your heavy household belongings, from kitchenware to books.
- Find out on which days shipments are received. You will have better luck at the end of those days, when trucks have been unloaded and everything has been unpacked.
2
Go to bookstores for sturdy boxes. Books are quite heavy, and carrying them often requires thick and durable cardboard boxes. If you live in a big city, chain bookstores like Barnes&Noble might be good options, since they usually get a shipment once or twice a week.^{[2]
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- You can check hardware or electronic stores nearby as well.
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3
Visit grocery stores for wooden boxes. Most stores want to get rid of their boxes since they occupy space. At a grocery store, you have a good chance of finding wooden grocery boxes, as well as cardboard boxes.
- For example, apple crates are sturdy, and can help you move heavy or fragile items.
- Avoid vegetable pallets since you wouldn’t be able to fit much into them.
4
Ask bars and liquor stores. You can use liquor boxes for carrying heavy items like your glassware. However, make sure to ask for boxes with lids, since many liquor boxes tend to have their tops removed.^{[3]
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- Local restaurants or pharmacies are also a good option.
5
Get fry boxes from fast food restaurants. Fry boxes can be very versatile for hauling heavy items like books in small amounts. Ask your local McDonald’s or Burger King if they have any extra fry boxes. Since the fries are carried in frozen form, you don’t need to worry about the smell or grease.^{[4]
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6
Visit chain coffee shops. Popular coffee shops like Starbucks are likely to have regular shipment, once or twice a week. Talk to a barista when there isn’t a long line of customers. If they don’t have any boxes then, ask for when the next shipment will come in, and see if they’d be willing to reserve any boxes for you.^{[5]
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7
Stop by a garage sale. If you come across a yard sale in your neighborhood, ask if they have any free boxes they don’t use. Chances are they just cleaned up their attic and are left with a bunch of boxes.^{[6]
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8
Browse around your local recycling center or the post office. People often leave their boxes where they receive mail, or anywhere recycling is collected, so these might be good spots to find plenty of boxes.^{[7]
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Ask your local schools if they have boxes to give away. The cafeterias might have food boxes and the administrative offices might have supply boxes. You’ll do them a favor by helping them get rid of throwing those away.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Reaching out to Your Social Circles

1
Talk to friends and family members. Most people notice when someone new moves into their neighborhood. They might be able to collect recently used moving boxes for you.
2
Ask your new neighbors. If you noticed someone moving into the house across from yours, or the apartment downstairs, help them get rid of used moving boxes by knocking on their door. You can wait for a day or two for them to unpack, but letting them know beforehand might help you catch the boxes before they’re thrown away.
3
See if your office has any spare boxes. Companies often receive many deliveries every day, most of which come in boxes. Talk to your co-workers, and look around your office to see if there are any free boxes. You can also talk to people who deal with supply orders, and ask if they can reserve a few boxes for you at the next delivery.^{[8]
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4
Check the garbage room in your apartment complex. People often leave unwanted boxes in garbage rooms or around trash containers. Make sure you take a tour around the garbage area near your house or apartment, and grab any free boxes you might find.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Finding Free Moving Boxes Online

1
Check Craigslist. Under the "For Sale" heading on your local Craigslist page, you will see a subheading that says "free." That page should include ads from people who have just moved and are giving away their boxes.^{[9]
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- Post a Craigslist ad if you do not see any ads for free boxes. Listing an ad is free, and all you have to do is say you are looking for boxes to use for your move.
- Craigslist has many fake ads, so make sure you verify the exact information and address before heading to pick up your boxes. To be safe, avoid ads that offer shipping to your address, as those might not be reliable.
2
Check BoxGiver. You can get rid of moving boxes by donating them on BoxGiver (www.boxgiver.com). It’s an online platform where you can find free moving boxes near you.
- The platform was created for people who want to find a way to reduce packaging waste by using the sharing economy model.
- The BoxGiver platform allows you to check which of your neighbors are giving away packaging materials so you can message them and pick up the materials.
- It’s a great way to save time, money, and reduce waste.
3
Look for boxes on Freecycle. The Freecycle Network (www.freecycle.org) puts people who have things to give away in touch with people who need those things. Cardboard boxes are almost always featured.^{[10]
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- Type your location into the search box and you will get to your local page, where you can search ads for cardboard boxes or place your own.
- Freecycle is also a great way to connect with your local community members.
4
Visit the U-Haul message board. While the company would prefer to sell its moving boxes, it has set up an online message board where customers might be able to find free boxes.
- Go to www.uhaul.com/exchange and type your location into the search box.
- See if there is any post on giving away free moving boxes. You can also make your own post for free.
5
Have US Postal Service (USPS) mail you free boxes. Check the USPS Mailing Supplies page for free or cheap deals on mailing boxes. You will need to make an online account to order, which is free. Simply type “free boxes” in the search box, and make your order.^{[11]
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- The number of free boxes one person can receive is limited, so if you need many, this might not be the best option.
- USPS typically takes 3 to 5 days to ship boxes.
6
Reach out to your community groups on Facebook or email lists. Think of the online groups or mailing lists you are a member of. Search those pages and check your inbox to see if anyone posted about free boxes. If not, type a quick post or email, asking for free boxes people don’t need.^{[12]
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