Where to Get Free Moving Boxes

Moving to a new home is exciting, stressful, and expensive . The average cost is just over $1,700 , but it can cost as much as $10,000 depending on how far you’re moving and how complex your requirements are. One aspect that’s easy to overlook is moving boxes, which typically cost between $2 and $4 on average. Specialty boxes, like wardrobe boxes or TV boxes, are more expensive, ranging from $10 to $40 each . Luckily, you don’t usually need new boxes, and there are options to get free boxes so you can move as cheaply as possible.

Use U-Haul Box Exchange for people who give away boxes

U-Haul is a place many people go to get their vehicles and supplies, and the company has a simple waste-reduction program: U-Haul Box Exchange (part of its Customer Connect program). It’s not guaranteed, but it’s easy to use, with no signup or subscription required. Enter your ZIP code and see if anyone in your area is giving away boxes (or other moving supplies). If so, you can message them directly through the site and arrange to pick everything up. There’s no guarantee you’ll get a convenient order, but it’s worth checking regularly once you know you’re moving.

Use online platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Freecycle

Many social platforms can be a source of free boxes, including:

• Facebook Marketplace : If you have a Facebook account, you can search Facebook Marketplace for free boxes and other moving supplies.

• The free stuff sections on Craigslist are usually a treasure trove of moving supplies, especially boxes.

• Freecycle is a platform where people openly seek to donate items they no longer need and find free items they don’t want (or can’t afford) to pay for. People regularly post moving ads here, so it’s worth joining your local Freecycle group to see if you can get a few. If you don’t see any posts, you can make a request, which might prompt someone who hasn’t thought about donating their boxes.

• Buy Nothing (formerly BuyNothing) has the same basic concept as Freecycle: Once you sign up, you can search for people who are giving away moving boxes or place requests to receive them.

• Nextdoor is a neighborhood platform that connects people in the same area to socialize, solve problems, and host block parties. You can sign up (either on the app or the website) to join a group in your new neighborhood, then check to see if anyone is handing out boxes (or ask nicely).

• OfferUp is a platform for buying and selling things , but it also allows you to post free ads. It’s worth signing up to scan for free moving boxes that someone might be eager to get rid of.

Ask your local stores, which throw away tons of boxes.

Sometimes the best ways to do things are the old ways. People have been picking up moving boxes from local businesses for as long as cardboard has been around, and plenty of stores and other local spots in your area receive tons of deliveries in cardboard boxes that they then have to process and recycle. Many of these businesses will be more than happy to provide them to you. A few key places to check are:

• Liquor stores

• Bookstores

• Banks

• Libraries

• Schools

• Convenience stores

• Grocery stores

• Department stores

• Pharmacies

• Restaurants

A few phone calls or personal visits can net you a ton of moving boxes at no cost other than your time and sweat. Often, you can simply pick up boxes from dumpsters located behind buildings or near loading docks.

Use a post office, loading dock, or recycling center at your workplace.

If you work in a place where there is a lot of shipping, you might want to check the post office, loading dock, or recycling area. Your coworkers can also be a great source of free boxes. If you pick up a few each day for a few weeks, you can get all the boxes you need.

Please contact your local recycling centre.

If your area recycles cardboard , you can go out on collection day and walk around the area looking for stacks of flattened boxes that you can easily collect for your own use. If you know of a recycling center in your area, you can also contact them to pick up some of the cardboard boxes from them.

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