8 Places to Track Down Boxes for Moving

The first step in the packing-to-move process is figuring out how you’re going to transport everything from your socks to your appliances to your new home. The straightforward answer is moving boxes, but finding free or inexpensive cardboard boxes is not so simple.

If you’re stuck on where to find moving boxes, we’ve got you covered. Let’s take a look at the top spots to snag used moving boxes.

1. Online Marketplace

Nowadays, you can use online marketplaces to find just about anything. When you use websites like Craigslist.com or Facebook Marketplace to search for new or used items, you’ll receive results for sale in your area. 

Start your search by narrowing the distance you’re willing to travel to pick up the moving boxes. Then, filter your results to match your price range. Since moving boxes can be a hassle to store after they’ve served their purpose, you can usually find people who are willing to give them away for free.

2. Bookstores

Have you ever considered how many boxes it takes to ship books to your local bookstore? Since local and chain bookstores alike receive frequent shipments of books, they typically have plenty to recycle at the end of each week. Contact bookstores in your area to ask whether you can pick up or purchase the number of moving boxes that you need. Plus, these boxes tend to be sturdy and clean, which is perfect for moving purposes. 

3. Grocery Stores 

If you’re hoping to avoid buying new moving boxes, you can attempt to take home boxes from your local grocery store or bodega. Like bookstores, these retailers receive daily or weekly shipments in cardboard boxes and likely don’t use them after the food hits the shelves.

Ahead of your big move, talk with a grocery store manager or customer representative about reusing some of the store’s cardboard boxes. Pro tip: Ensure that the boxes are in good condition to avoid getting food smudges on your belongings.

4. Liquor Stores

While some liquor stores reuse cardboard boxes to help customers transport large orders, your local liquor store may be willing to part with a few. When making your request for cardboard boxes to the store’s manager, ask for boxes with lids to avoid packing spills or messes. To make your favor even easier to accept, offer to pick up the boxes before recycling day to help the store cut down on clutter.

5. Friends and Family

In preparation for moving day, talk with your friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues to find someone with spare moving boxes. Start by contacting people who have recently moved or work somewhere with a connection to unused cardboard boxes. Remember to only make the request to contacts who live in your area to avoid traveling long distances to pick up the moving boxes.

6. Schools

Between shipments of books, paper, and various other supplies, schools go through a ton of cardboard boxes. Start by contacting the administrative office or janitorial staff at a local elementary, middle, or high school to find out whether they have extra boxes that you could use for your move. Keep in mind that you may have to schedule your pickup during school hours.

7. Retail Stores

Big-box retailers are usually true to their name. Stores like Walmart, Target, Home Depot, and Office Depot receive cardboard boxes of all shapes and sizes and may be willing to give you a few used boxes from their recycling pile. If your local store can’t provide used, free boxes, you can usually buy moving boxes from the same location.

8. Recycling Drop-Off Points 

If you’ve found a local recycling drop-off spot, then you’ve hit the jackpot. Most drop-off locations accept flattened cardboard, and if you call ahead, you may be able to snag a few boxes. Don’t forget to inspect the recycled boxes for stains, pests, and smells before taking them home to use for packing.

Once you're ready for your big move, a local moving company can help you move all of your boxes. Once the truck’s unloaded, you can start settling into your new home.