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15 Best Places to Find Free Moving Boxes

Want to know where you can find free moving boxes?

Moving is a pain. It’s expensive, time-consuming, and stressful. Trust me, I am in the process of moving over 500 miles, and every time I look at a room I dread packing everything up!

One way to make the process a little less painful (and cheaper) is to find free boxes. You can often find them online or at local stores.

Here are 15 places to look for free moving boxes and cardboard boxes!

where to find free moving boxes
1. Grocery Stores

Grocery stores are a great place to find free moving boxes. Many times, they will have boxes that they need to get rid of that are the perfect size for moving.

You can also ask the store manager if they have any boxes that they would be willing to give away. They may be able to hold some boxes for you until you are ready to pick them up.

Note: You could also find a way to make some quick money to help you buy boxes! The choice is yours! Check out these side hustle ideas too!

2. Office Supply Stores

Office supply stores typically have a lot of cardboard boxes that they need to get rid of. They may be willing to give you some of these boxes for free.

You can also check online to see if any office supply stores in your area have a box recycling program.

3. Liquor Stores

Most people don’t think of liquor stores as a source for free moving boxes, but it’s actually a great place to look.

Liquor stores usually have a lot of sturdy cardboard boxes that they need to get rid of, and these boxes are usually the perfect size for moving.

Plus, they’re usually made of sturdy cardboard, which will help protect your belongings during the move.

4. Flat complexes

Flat complexes are a great source of free moving boxes. With people constantly moving in and out, there is always a need for new boxes.

Many flat complexes have recycling programs that collect cardboard, and they are often willing to give away the boxes for free. This is a great way to get free moving boxes without having to pay for them.

Additionally, many complexes have community rooms or common areas where residents can leave unwanted items. These areas are often a goldmine for free boxes, as people are always looking to get rid of them.

However, it is important to check with the complex before taking any boxes, as some may have specific rules about taking items from these areas.

5. College Boarding Houses

Boarding Houses are hive minds of sorts when it comes to moving.

So, if you know someone who’s leaving their dorm soon, ask if you can have their boxes when they’re done.

You could also put up a sign in your dorm asking for any unwanted boxes a few days before you move. People are way more likely to give away something for free if they don’t have to carry it downstairs and out to the dumpster themselves.

If all else fails, stop by your campus mail room. They get deliveries every day and often have cardboard moving boxes and free stuff just hanging out back that they’ll let you take off their hands.

Moving into a new place is expensive enough as is, so finding free moving boxes helps ease the load—literally.

6. Garage sales

Anyone who has ever moved knows that finding free moving boxes and sturdy boxes can be a challenge.

However, with a little creativity and effort, it is possible to find boxes for free. One place to start is garage sales. Many people use cardboard boxes to move their belongings and then get rid of the boxes afterward.

As a result, yard and garage sales are often a goldmine for free moving boxes. Be sure to stop by and ask if the sellers would be willing to part with a few boxes. They’re often happy to get rid of them, and you’ll be able to save money on your move.

7. Libraries

Libraries are a great source of free moving boxes.

Most libraries have a policy of discarding any damaged or unloved books, so they’re always looking for ways to recycle the boxes. You can usually find a pile of them near the back entrance, just waiting to be taken away.

To make sure you’re getting the best possible boxes, try to visit the library during a slow period, such as mid-morning on a weekday. That way, you can chat with a staff member and explain what you’re looking for.

They’ll be happy to point you in the right direction. And who knows, you might even find your new favorite book while you’re there!

8. Trash & Recycling Drop-Off Locations

Most people think of trash and recycling as two separate things, but did you know that many recycling facilities are actually great places to find free moving boxes?

That’s right – at many recycling drop-off points, you can find flattened corrugated cardboard boxes that are perfect for moving. And since these boxes have already been used once, they’re likely to be in good enough shape to use again.

So if you’re looking for free moving boxes, be sure to check out your local recycling center.

9. Offices and Businesses

If you’re looking for free cardboard boxes and empty boxes, one of the best places to check is your local offices and businesses.

Many businesses go through large quantities of cardboard boxes on a daily basis, so they often have a surplus of boxes that they are happy to get rid of.

You can usually find these boxes near the loading docks or storage areas of businesses. Some businesses may even have special programs for recycling or reusing their boxes, so be sure to ask about these options as well.

In addition to offices and businesses, you can also check with your local retailers, warehouses, and distribution centers. These types of places typically receive shipments of merchandise in large cardboard boxes, so they are another good source for free moving boxes.

10. Restaurants and fast food joints

Most restaurants receive their food and supplies in cardboard boxes, which they then discard. However, these boxes can be repurposed for your move.

Just make sure to clean them out thoroughly before using them to pack your belongings. You can also check with your local grocery stores, as they often have a surplus of boxes that they are willing to give away.

11. Bars, Breweries & Taverns

For most people, the word “tavern” conjures up images of a dark and dingy place, frequented by rowdy sailors and colorful characters straight out of a Dickens novel.

Today’s taverns and bars, however, are far different from their counterparts of centuries past.

While they may still be rowdy places where people go to drink and socialize, they are now much more open and welcoming to all. In addition, they have also become an important part of the food industry.

Many taverns and bars now serve food as well as drink, and they receive their supplies in cardboard boxes just like restaurants.

As a result, they play a vital role in the economy, providing jobs for chefs, bartenders, and wait staff. What has not changed about taverns and bars is their importance as a social hub.

They remain a place where people can gather to relax, meet new friends, and enjoy some good food and drink.

Who knows you might get lucky and find some free moving boxes while you’re enjoying a pint!

12. Craigslist

With a little bit of internet sleuthing, you can find places where people are giving away boxes for free.

One such place is Craigslist. This online marketplace is a popular place to find just about everything. From couches for sale to job listings, your local Craigslist page is packed with an overwhelming number of great finds.

The website even has a “Free” section, where locals can list the belongings they wish to give away.

With a little bit of effort, you’re sure to find plenty of free boxes on Craigslist – just make sure to check the listings regularly, as new postings are added all the time!

13. Facebook Marketplace

Free moving boxes can be hard to come by, but Facebook Marketplace is a great place to start your search.

Facebook Marketplace allows users to list and advertise items to anyone in the world. It also makes it easy to find local items available for easy pickup. To find free boxes through Facebook Marketplace, simply type “free boxes” in the search tab.

We recommend filtering the search by location so that you can find free moving boxes in your vicinity.

With a little bit of searching, you’re sure to find some free boxes to help with your move!

14. Family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers

The easiest way to get free moving boxes is to simply ask around among your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

These are the people who are most likely to have some boxes lying around that they would be willing to give you.

Just explain that you’re planning a move and see if anyone has any boxes that they’d be willing to part with. You might be surprised at how many people are happy to help out. And even if nobody has any boxes, they might know someone who does.

So it’s always worth asking around.

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March 14, 2023 by Josh Filed Under: Free

About Josh

Josh is the founder of Scale A Dollar - a blog focused on helping others learn about online business ownership and making money. Josh started a top personal finance blog in 2017 - Money Life Wax - and sold it in 2021. Now, he teaches others how they can do the same. Happily married, Josh and his wife have one son, a chocolate lab named Morgan, and hobbies include running, reading, working out, and visiting warm climates!

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About Josh

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