Boxes With a Purpose: Where to Get Free Boxes for Moving

Moving house is a stressful affair. The process of transporting your life’s possessions from one home to another is exhausting, but there are ways to reduce the hassle and streamline your efforts for a smooth relocation.

One way to make sure your home moving process is as efficient as possible is by having access to a large supply of free boxes.

Able to safely contain all your odds and ends, the simple cardboard box is instrumental to any successful move. Strong enough to hold anything from delicate ornaments to piles of books, boxes should always be the first thing you look for when preparing to move home.

So, where do you find good quality cardboard boxes in the US? Well, they’re a highly common object that you can collect in various quantities at zero cost when you go to the right places.

If you’re anticipating a move in the near future, have a look through this roundup of the best places to get free boxes in the US… Happy transporting!

Barnes & Noble

This nationwide bookstore regularly receives new shipments, which means they often have barely used boxes in storage. Because books are heavy and require a lot of support when lifted, the boxes you’ll find at Barnes & Noble will tend to be particularly solid and sturdy.

You should be able to find anywhere between 5 and 10 good quality free boxes at any local Barnes & Noble store. Ask the staff for assistance during a quiet time and they’re sure to help.

Target

Mega stores like Target are the perfect place to go when you’re looking for large moving boxes. With shipments coming through on a daily basis, boxes are a constant presence—and staff are usually more than happy to pass them along for free.

In order to miss the rush of midday shopping, it’s recommended that you visit Target before noon on weekdays for the best results.

Walgreens

Walgreens is a pharmaceutical and wellness store that regularly receives fresh product shipments. They tend to either recycle or throw away their used boxes, but if you call your local branch, you can ask them to set some aside for collection.

Liquor Stores

If you’re not sure where to look for free boxes in your neighborhood, a quick trip to the local liquor store might give you your answer.

Liquor stores are constantly moving heavy glass bottles, so they require a constant supply of strong boxes—which they are usually quite happy to hand over to anyone who wants them—empty of course!

OfferUp

This mobile app is designed for advertising local classifieds about free items. Some of which includes storage and moving boxes.

Hundreds of people use this app and post regularly about free items they want to pass along. Try it and you might score more than just a couple of cardboard boxes, you may even get some bubble wrap and other packaging materials too!

Starbucks

This coffee and beverage hotspot receives fresh supplies of coffee beans, cream, flavorings and filters several times a week, and these items are always neatly packaged in compact cardboard boxes.

Starbucks sits on just about every corner of the US, so you should have no problem tracking one down to nab some high-quality containers for your upcoming move.

U-Haul Customer Connect

U-Haul understands your moving needs better than most. In fact, they’ve dedicated a space in each of their branches for people to leave old boxes, ready for someone else to collect them.

Next time you’re in need of a variety of moving boxes, head to your closest U-Haul and ask if they have any boxes leftover from previous clients. Chances are, they have everything you need.

Walmart

If you’re looking for a steady stream of free, high-quality cardboard boxes, Walmart is the place to go. This department store covers just about every product, so you’ll be able to find boxes in a wide variety of different shapes and sizes.

Approximately 10 boxes get thrown out at Walmart every day, so you won’t need to wait very long or make any calls beforehand.

Office Depot

This office supplier is very familiar with a high-quality range of cardboard boxes. On Tuesdays, Office Depot receives a new shipment of products, resulting in an influx of boxes that they have no use for.

If you head over at the beginning of the week, you’re sure to find some near perfect-condition boxes (which sometimes come with nifty lids) that the staff at Office Depot will be glad to get rid of.

Facebook Forums and Community Groups

Your local neighborhood or surrounding area is bound to have a Facebook community group. These groups are often used to advertise local goods and share information that’s relevant to the area.

Relocating internationally or locally is a common occurrence, and you might well find that someone has just moved in and is keen to get rid of their boxes. You can pick up plenty of free boxes this way, and when you’re done with them, you can advertise them on the same kind of forum.

Craigslist

Craigslist is the Holy Grail of free boxes. They have an entire section on their website dedicated to free goods, and moving boxes are one of the most commonly listed items.

You’re sure to find dozens of listings for free boxes, and you can tweak the filter to make sure they are within close proximity to your location. The best time to search is on a Monday after everyone has successfully made their weekend moves.

Think Out Of The Box – Contact Billy For Your Home Moving Needs

Billy.com can provide you with quotes on just about any service you might need for your house and home. Whether you’re moving across the country, upgrading your appliances, or even looking to improve your home security system, Billy can always be relied on to give you a helping hand.

Peruse their list of professional services to find out more about what’s on offer, and receive a free quote for any service that catches your eye.

With Billy on board, even the most complex of home improvement projects are simplified. We’ve got everything you need to minimize stress and maximize satisfaction.