Free moving boxes: Where to get them

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Moving can be one of the most expensive and stressful ventures to tackle in a year — between the cost of down payments, transportation, deposits and everything else. Knowing where to get free moving boxes can be a great way to save a few bucks and lower the total overhead of moving.

Experts suggest moving a three-bedroom home can require anywhere from 80 to 134 boxes. Assuming you only use medium-sized boxes, this could cost anywhere from $195 to $325. More rooms and larger specialty boxes will drive the cost higher, making free boxes even more enticing.

Here are some tips and hacks for where to get free boxes for moving.

Where to get free moving boxes

Knowing where to get moving boxes for free doesn’t have to be a chore and can save you time and frustration. Here are some great starting points:

Online marketplaces

“Online platforms and community forums like Freecycle, Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor, Craigslist (free section), OfferUp and Letgo are great places to find people giving away used moving boxes for free,” says Julia Pak, the co-founder of JP Urban Moving. You can also consider posting to your social media to see if anyone following you can help.

When it comes to knowing where to get free cardboard boxes for moving, consider the following:

• Facebook is an excellent social media option with various features that can get you access to free boxes. Two main avenues to utilize for free boxes will be Marketplace and specific community groups.Facebook Marketplace allows you to search for items in your area based on proximity to your ZIP code. Use it to search for free boxes and set your price parameters to $0.Facebook Community Groups can be hyperspecific, and your city or town likely has a few different ones for dedicated purposes. Search your town and neighboring towns to see what groups you think would be logical places to post. Be sure to follow group guidelines if there are any, and post that you’re looking for boxes.

• Craigslist is a great option to connect searchers with people in their area looking to sell or give things away. Begin by using the search feature to see if anyone has free moving boxes listed. While some people will have a price listed, they may be willing to be bargained with. Additionally, they may want to offload the boxes for free if the listing has been up long enough.Next, look specifically in the free section and search for boxes. If that doesn’t work, or you still need more boxes, use the wanted feature to post what you want. That way, people can approach you with their boxes. Some people may even seek you out before posting the boxes directly into the “for sale” section.

• Nextdoor is a social media platform designed to build neighborhood relationships by sharing information and enabling people to communicate. It has a marketplace-style option that allows you to search for free boxes in your area, but you can also use it to post either asking for boxes or asking if anyone has any suggestions of where you can find some free boxes locally.

• The U-Haul Customer Connect message board offered by the moving truck rental company can put users in touch with people in their area who may have boxes they want to part with. You can use it to search by your specific ZIP code, or you can use the search bar to type in “boxes.”You can also use this option to post that you are looking for boxes in your area so that someone will know to reach out to you. Consider specifying that you are also willing to pick up the boxes to make it easier for the other person.

• Friends and family, aka your real-life social network, are also a valuable resource. Let people know you’re in the market for free boxes. Consider any friends who recently moved or anyone you know who loves ordering packages online.

Recycling centers

Because of the sheer volume of boxes they receive daily, recycling centers can be a golden ticket to score yourself some free boxes. Call ahead to ensure they have some on hand and that they would be OK with you taking them. Sometimes, they may set them aside to make retrieval easier for you. If you stop by to drop off your recycling, speak to the attendant.

Local businesses and retail stores

Pak recommends “checking with local grocery stores, liquor stores, pharmacies, hospitals, [your] place of employment, department stores and bookstores.” This means any store in your town, including big-box outlets like Costco and Sam’s Club. With the sheer number of deliveries retail stores receive, you may even be doing them a favor by taking some boxes off of their hands instead of making them wait for recycling day.

Here are some tips for collecting boxes from local businesses:

• Know when the recycling day is in your town, and call ahead to catch businesses when they are more likely to have a lot of boxes.

• If you or a friend lives in an apartment building, consider checking the recycling area to see if there are any boxes people have parted with. Pak suggests speaking with a superintendent or doorman even if you don’t see boxes.

• Like retailers, libraries often receive loads of packages. See if your local library is looking to get rid of any boxes.

Types of moving boxes and their uses

Moving boxes come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, but some of the most common are small, medium and large. They are typically able to hold between 65 and 100 pounds apiece.

According to Pak, these items should be packed in the following way:

• Small: Otherwise known as a book box, these boxes are suited for CDs, DVDs, canned goods and, of course, books. These will usually range in size from 16 x 10 x 10 inches on the lower end to 16 x 12 x 12 inches on the higher end, costing an average of $1.72 per box.
• Medium: These boxes are best for dishes, glasses and medium-weight items like shoes, pots and pans. Medium sizes usually fall between 18 x 14 x 12 inches and 21 x 15 x 16 inches, costing an average of $2.44 per box.
• Large: This box size is best for lightweight but larger items such as clothing, bedding and comforters. They range from 18 x 18 x 24 inches to 27 x 15 x 16 inches and will cost $2.96 per box, on average.
• Specialty:
- Wardrobe boxes cost $18.11 on average and range from 18 x 21 x 46 inches to 24 x 24 x 24 inches, with many other options available.
- Picture and mirror moving boxes tend to be thinner in shape to safely accommodate more delicate glass items. They range in size from 37 x 4 x 27 inches to 37.5 x 6.4 x 41.25 inches, costing, on average, $16.10. Many mirror boxes have a telescoping feature to enable them to transport a television safely as well.
- Heavy-duty boxes are a reinforced option for standard-size boxes, making them a good choice for heavier things, such as book collections. These will be more expensive than standard boxes, with a medium heavy-duty box costing on average $4.04 per box.

Dos and don’ts of free moving boxes

Once you’ve found yourself some boxes, there are a few things that you can do to make sure they are usable (and stay that way).

• Do ask for permission before taking boxes from anyone; don’t just assume it’s trash. They may be holding onto them for a move of their own.

• Do make sure the boxes you accept are empty; you wouldn’t want to accidentally take something that didn’t belong to you.

• Do fold the boxes. If you choose not to fold them, stack them, but avoid stacking heavier boxes on lighter ones.

• Do consider tying boxes together using twine to keep them organized, in good shape and taking up less space until they are ready for use.

• Don’t just grab the first boxes you see; you are better off being a bit picky to protect your valuables in the long run. Pak said, “Look for quality boxes and beware if there is mildew, mold or weak structure that is not sturdy enough to secure your belongings during the move.”

How to dispose of moving boxes

When you are all done with the moving boxes, there are a few steps that you can take to dispose of them responsibly. Consider the following:

• Return the favor: List the boxes on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace or elsewhere, if they are in good condition, to help someone else out.

• Recycle them: Pak tells us that beyond being practical, recycling boxes creates a more sustainable moving process. She recommends that when you’re done, you “Break down the boxes and take them to your recycling area or curbside recycling pickup spot.”

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.

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