8 best places to get free or cheap moving boxes

Where to get free moving boxes

Scouring your neighborhood for free packing boxes is a fantastic way to keep your moving budget in check and stay environmentally friendly. Many businesses are more than happy to give away their boxes rather than breaking them down for the recycling bin.

Local stores and businesses

Your local community is a goldmine for cardboard boxes for moving. Small businesses often receive frequent shipments and have limited storage space, making them eager to hand off their leftovers.

• Bookstores: These are the holy grail of moving supplies. Books are heavy, which means bookstore boxes are incredibly sturdy and usually a manageable size.
• Liquor Stores: If you need smaller, heavy-duty boxes for glassware or kitchen items, head here.
• Coffee Shops: These are often overlooked, but they receive milk and coffee bean shipments in surprisingly durable cardboard.
• Grocery Stores: While these are popular spots, look for "dry" goods boxes rather than produce boxes, which might have moisture or lingering food smells.

Big box stores

When you’re thinking of what stores to get free boxes from, think big. Large retailers process massive amounts of inventory daily.

• Costco & Sam’s Club: While they often leave boxes out for customers to use at checkout, you can often ask for the deeper, larger shipping boxes from the back.
• Walmart & Target: The best time to visit is late at night or very early in the morning when crews are restocking the shelves.

Online community groups

If you find yourself wondering, "Where can I get free boxes for moving near me?," your neighbors can be your best resource.

• Nextdoor: This app is perfect for finding people who just finished their own move and are desperate to get the empty boxes out of their hallways.
• Buy Nothing Groups: These Facebook-based communities are dedicated entirely to giving items away for free.

Online marketplaces

Check the "Free" section on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. Many people list free cardboard boxes for moving with the caveat that you must come pick them up, which is a small price to pay for a full set of supplies!

Recycling Centers

Many municipal recycling centers have a specific area for "reusable" items. It is the best place to get free moving boxes because the boxes are already flattened and ready for transport.

Pro-Tip: The best free boxes for moving can often be found behind retail pharmacies and office supply stores. To ensure the boxes are suitable, always check that they are dry, free of pests, and have intact structural integrity. If a box is soft or sagging, it’s not worth the risk to your belongings!Where to find cheap cardboard boxes for moving

While free is great, sometimes you need the convenience of moving boxes in bulk that are all the same size for easy stacking. If you have a tight timeline, it might be worth spending a little to get the best boxes for moving that haven't been previously used.

Home improvement stores (Home Depot, Lowe’s, RONA, Canadian Tire)

For most people, the best place to get boxes for moving at a low price point is a home improvement warehouse.

• Home Depot & Lowe’s: Known for having some of the cheapest moving boxes on the market, they offer various sizes (Small, Medium, Large, and XL) usually for just a few dollars each.
• RONA & Canadian Tire: If you live in Canada, these are reliable staples for sturdy supplies.

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Major retailers (Walmart, Amazon, Staples)

If you are looking for the cheapest place to buy moving boxes while doing your regular shopping, check these retailers:

• Walmart: They offer very competitive pricing on individual boxes.
• Amazon: A great option for best moving boxes to buy if you want them delivered directly to your door.
• Staples: Ideal for finding specialized "banker boxes" for office documents.

Moving and shipping companies (U-Haul, Uline, UPS Store)

If you need high-quality or specialty items (like wardrobe boxes or TV boxes), these are the experts:

• U-Haul: They often have a "Take a Box, Leave a Box" bin in their lobby, but they also offer moving box packages that bundle everything you need for a 1-bedroom or 2-bedroom home.
• Uline: The best choice if you need to buy cheapest boxes for moving in massive quantities, as they specialize in bulk shipping.
• UPS Store: A bit pricier, but very convenient for high-quality, heavy-duty options.

To get the best deal on moving boxes, we recommend looking into "bundle kits." These typically include a variety of sizes and packing tape, which often works out cheaper than buying each item individually. Also, remember that a pre-move declutter is the best way to save money—the less you own, the fewer boxes you have to buy!

Where to find free boxes