The Best Places to Find Free Packing Supplies

Looking for free packing supplies? We don’t blame you. Full-service movers and packers can cost upwards of $6,000 (or more) depending on how far you’re moving. While renting a truck and equipment for a DIY move is considerably more affordable, it’s still not cheap. And, as anyone who’s moved knows, the cost of moving boxes, packing tape and other necessary materials is expensive – especially when moving a large household of belongings. According to CostHelper.com, typical costs for boxes run anywhere from $1 to $3.75 per box. However, specialty boxes (think: wardrobe and mirror boxes) cost much more. Packing paper runs $9 per pack on average, glass packing kits cost $10 to $15 per box and kitchen kits cost around $102.

Fortunately for those on a tight budget, there are ways to obtain free packing supplies. You just have to know where to look – and be willing to put in the time to find them. For reference, here’s a list of packing supplies you’ll need when you move. Below, we’ve included a list of our top places for finding free packing supplies as well as tips for finding the very best.

1. Online marketplaces
   

   Nowadays, you can find plenty of used and free packing supplies through various online marketplaces. Most listings are made by people who have recently moved and simply want to get rid of their moving supplies in the easiest way possible (i.e. by having someone else pick them up). Here are our favorite online marketplaces for finding everything from free newspaper for packing to free cardboard boxes for moving.

   • Craigslist
   • Facebook Marketplace
   • Freecycle
   • eBay
   • U-Haul Box Exchange

2. Ask friends, family, neighbors and your local community groups
   

   Besides passively searching online marketplaces, you could also be actively reaching out to friends, family, neighbors and your local community groups to request leftover moving supplies. After all, not everyone advertises that they have free packing supplies available. We recommend emailing and calling those who live near you and may have moving supplies to give away. You can also try creating a post or listing on an online marketplace, such as Nextdoor.com, to let neighbors know you’re on the hunt for free packing supplies.

3. Check recycling drop-off points
   

   Recycling drop-off points typically have multiple dumpsters full of cardboard boxes and other recyclable goods. While you’ll likely find a number of used boxes here, there are some drawbacks to these recycling drop-off points to keep in mind. First, many recycling drop-off points have signs indicating that “dumpster diving” is not allowed. If this is the case, then you’ll need to look elsewhere. Second, not all recycled boxes will be in good shape. Chances are, you’ll need to sift through quite a few dirty boxes to find packing supplies that are in good enough shape to reuse. 

4. Check your office
   

   Think about all the packages and supplies a typical office receives. Chances are good that most offices have an entire room full of recycled cardboard boxes and packing supplies. So, if you’re looking for free bankers boxes, bubble cushioning and more, we recommend considering your own office and other offices in the area. Before diving into an office’s recycling, though, be sure to check with an office manager for permission. 

5. Call around to local stores
   

   In addition to offices, we suggest calling around to local stores and businesses to ask permission to take their leftover boxes and packing supplies. Several stores where you’re likely to find plenty of free packing supplies include liquor stores, bookstores, grocery stores and big box retailers, such as Walmart, Costco, Home Depot, Office Depot and Best Buy. All of these stores receive dozens – if not hundreds – of shipments every month and should have plenty of leftover cardboard boxes to get rid of. Keep in mind that local businesses (think: liquor stores, bookstores, and small mom-and-pop stores) may be more inclined to give away boxes to those who need them. Larger chain retailers may have a policy in place that forbids them from giving cardboard boxes away. 

6. Peruse yard sales and garage sales in your neighborhood
   

   Oftentimes, those who have recently moved or are preparing to move host yard sales and garage sales to purge their homes of excess stuff. If you think there’s a good chance that someone who’s hosting a yard sale may have extra boxes they no longer need or aren’t planning to use, we suggest stopping by to ask whether they’d be willing to give you any of their leftover cardboard boxes and packing supplies.

7. Start saving boxes you receive in the mail
   

   Another way to obtain free packing supplies and cardboard boxes is by simply hoarding the ones you receive in the mail every day. From USPS Priority Mail packages to Amazon Prime boxes, chances are good you receive at least several cardboard boxes in the mail throughout the month. Instead of recycling these boxes – and the packing paper inside – stash them away for later use. If you receive enough packages, you may be able to move the majority of your belongings in boxes you already own.

Several don’ts to keep in mind when searching for free packing supplies

The process of finding free packing supplies isn’t easy – but if you can manage to save hundreds of dollars on boxes and packing paper, it may be well worth the hassle. When searching for boxes and free packing supplies, keep these important “don’ts” in mind.

• Don’t use boxes that aren’t in good shape –Saving a few bucks on boxes won’t do you any good if it ends up damaging the belongings inside. Unfortunately, using boxes that aren’t in good shape is a recipe for broken and damaged household items. Free boxes that have been wet or torn aren’t going to hold up well and certainly won’t be able to hold any substantial amount of weight. When examining a used box, check to make sure it’s dry, sturdy and free of damage.
• Don’t use boxes that smell – Piggybacking off of the last tip, we also recommend avoiding boxes that have any sort of distinct odor. Unfortunately, boxes that have been sitting in garbage bins or recycling centers may smell badly. Boxes that were used in the past to carry food may also carry unpleasant odors. Unless you want your own household belongings to smell like these boxes, we say leave them where you found them.
• Don’t break the law – Most stores and restaurants do not allow people to go rifling through trash cans that are placed outside. In many cases, businesses even have cameras watching for dumpster diving and trespassing. Make sure to get permission from a business before taking any used cardboard boxes. In addition, you may see signs at recycling centers that dumpster diving isn’t allowed. If this is the case, head to a different recycling center instead.
• Don’t be careless when obtaining boxes from strangers – Obtaining used moving boxes through online marketplaces is certainly one of the best ways to find free packing supplies. However, it’s important that you’re still careful and cautious in how you go about getting moving supplies from strangers. We recommend meeting somewhere public during the daytime. It doesn’t hurt to bring a friend with you as well. Bottomline: Just use common sense when making a transaction with a stranger.
• Don’t forget to use our packing calculator and box calculator – Prior to looking for packing supplies and boxes, it’s a good idea to have an estimate of exactly how much of everything you’re going to need. Fortunately, Moving.com’s packing and box calculator makes this easy to do. All you have to do is enter the number of bedrooms in your home, the type of lifestyle you live, the number of people living in your household and your packing style. From this information, Moving.com’s box calculator should be able to give you a rough estimate of the number of boxes you’ll need to complete your move.

If all else fails, you can purchase moving supplies from these 5 retailers

Finding everything from used moving boxes and newspaper for packing to free packing tape and bubble cushioning takes work. If you aren’t able to obtain everything for free, we recommend purchasing whatever packing supplies you still need. Here are several retailers that sell affordable packing supplies.

1. Amazon – The online retailer has it all. From bankers boxes and regular cardboard boxes to packing kits and specialty boxes, you should be able to find whatever you need on Amazon’s website. Prime members are also be able to receive many items within two days of purchasing them.
2. Walmart –Customers can purchase all sorts of moving supplies from the big box store’s online store, which makes it easy to see what’s currently in-stock and available for pick-up. The retailer carries a number of different moving box brands, including uBoxes, Duck and Pen+Gear.
3. Home Depot – For standard size moving boxes, you can’t beat Home Depot’s selection. The store also sells dish packing kits, storage bins, wardrobe boxes, picture and tv boxes, glass dividers and packing supplies. Customers can order items online or pick up in the store.
4. U-Haul – For moving kits, which typically include different size boxes and various packing supplies, U-Haul is the place to go. The truck rental company sells all sort of moving supplies on their website, but customers can also choose to pick items up at U-Haul locations.
5. Staples – The office supply store sells everything from bubble rolls and packing paper to cardboard boxes and packing tape. Given the many Staples locations throughout the U.S., finding a store near you shouldn’t be hard.

Moving soon?

To find a reliable moving company, check our extensive network of movers. Our website makes it easy to find and book the best moving company for the job. All relocation companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands. Best of luck and happy moving!