In just two short months, we'll be moving into a new home. Because we know how much work it will be, we've started creating checklists and gathering resources for the big day (top on our list is collecting moving boxes). Gathering boxes is one moving expense that can be done for free--our favorite spots to check out after the jump!
1. Craigslist. A quick search in the free section (found underneath the "for sale" heading) offered up at least 20 sources for free boxes.
2. Freecycle. We only found one posting with free boxes in our area when we searched yesterday (but it's still a great place to check back with before a move).
3. Liquor stores. Try and ask for boxes with lids (otherwise, contents are bound to fall out in the moving truck). Boxes from a liquor store tend to be small and sturdy--great for books, CDs and DVDs.
4. Bookstores. A perfect place to pick up boxes specifically for moving books.
5. Grocery Stores. Ask them to save their apple boxes for you to pickup--these freebies are perfect for moving fragile items.
6. McDonald's fry boxes. We spotted this solution from an Apartment Therapy reader. We were curious about this alternative and dug a little deeper. Apparently, these boxes are strong and also excellent for hauling heavy items that require a smaller sized box. Because the original contents of the box are frozen, you won't have to worry about the boxes being smelly (or greasy). McDonald's fry boxes also have a Facebook page, pointing out alternative uses.
7. Starbucks. Having worked at Starbucks a long, long time ago, we know from experience that a store will receive anywhere from 1-2 shipments per week (so it's a good chance that they'll have boxes on a weekly basis). Because Starbucks boxes range in size, we like to ask them to hold their larger sized containers for storing our lighter, bulkier items.
8. U-haul Box Exchange. U-haul has created a message board allowing you to search by location for free boxes in your area.
Apartment Therapy readers, what additional spots do you go to for moving boxes free-of-charge?
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We moved a lot of times using grocery store boxes. These days it seems harder to find a supermarket that will let you have the boxes.
I'll add Dollar Stores to that list. They're constantly unpacking inventory and have more than they know what to do with.
discount stores, 99 cent stores have worked for me in the past.
toy stores have TONS of boxes, almost always reshelving and getting new products so youre likely to just walk in and walk out with a collection of boxes
Liquor boxes are especially awesome for being largely the same uniform size so they make stacking in the car/moving van really really easy, thus avoiding many Tetris moments.
costco!
I've also used boxes from a liquor store. Although, I found out the hard way that the United States Postal Service will not let you ship them, regardless of the contents.
Comic book shops! On tuesdays after new comics come in, they get rid of boxes. They're super strong and perfect for moving.
you can also go to some of the major retail stores (express, AE, etc) and get some boxes from them. Just ask nicely, they'll almost always have quite a few laying around.
I work on Beverly Blvd and we ALWAYS have beautiful boxes and bubble wrap in our dumpsters. I took some to move and it was so great. There was a couple of guys out there last Friday night loading up some primo packing supplies!
U Haul also sometimes has leftover boxes that other people left behind on the trucks and will give those away to folks coming in for a truck or supplies...
Large apartment complex recycle bins. This is where I got all my free second-hand U-Haul boxes.
I used to get boxes from Borders or Staples until I discovered that several alleys in the city I live in (Ann Arbor, MI) had huge recycling bins filled with collapsed cardboard boxes next to the dumpsters. I must have taken hundreds in the past few years. I'm sure other cities have something similar.
I ask my office, husband does same - to save the boxes when office supplies are delivered. As mentioned, Craigslist (and return the favor by listing yours for free when you're done with them). Three moves and I've bought no boxes at all.
We moved recently and I searched craigslist for free boxes. I don't think I'll ever do that again. They ended up being from a house that reeked off cat pee and in turn the boxes did too. It was a waste of time and I ended up getting rid of the boxes without even using them. Stick with leftover boxes at UHaul.
FedEx Kinko's!!! The boxes the copier paper comes in are nice size, uniform in size, sturdy, - and best of all, have LIDS!
Go in way ahead of time though, and ask when their next paper supply drop will be; and ask them to reserve the boxes for you-they're very popular & will get scavenged quickly!
I'm moving to Brooklyn in a short time and this was SO helpful!! I hate collecting boxes!! Thank you... :)
Copier paper boxes are perfect for books. They fill up nicely and do not get too heavy to carry- which can easily happen with boxes only slightly larger.
But do check freecycle in your area. I've been unpacking and repeatedly posting my very nice movers boxes, all sizes,even some wardrobe ones, which are super-handy- and have only had one taker so far. I've had to pay to have some hauled off- a true waste, but I'm too busy trying to go to work and unpack everything to take them anywhere myself, with no car.
If you start checking early, I'll bet you can get all you need this way.
Schools or other organizations that frequently purchase technology equipment. We moved at the beginning of November, and most of our boxes were from the school district's lastest Dell purchase. They are a nice size and have handles on each side. Contact either the Director of Technology or the person in charge of shipping for the district.
Ask at your local photo lab. The boxes that photo paper is shipped in are very sturdy. They are ideal for books, cd/dvd, dishes, and other items that are heavy but not particularly large.
I second #4, bookstores. I got all my boxes for my last move from the Barnes and Noble recycling dumpster. Uniform size, nice and sturdy, and they always seem to have plenty.
craigslist worked very well for us during our last move.
When we were moving four years ago, my brother happened to work at Kohl's, and he was able to get me as many as I needed (a few hundred?), and they were nice, sturdy ones, too. After I unpacked I handed them over to someone else. So make friends with someone at a retail store, or just ask!
tmalek - will they let you ship liquor boxes if you wrap them in brown paper first?
Make sure you check for bugs! Boxes left at a company or outside or in a basement, etc...there are paper mites and all sorts. So thoroughly inspect before coming home with "friends!" Or maybe...wipe it down with rubbing alcohol...? :)
I hate to give them free advertisement, but Walmart is a great stop. They usually have tons of boxes when they're restocking shelves at night. I've found midnite to be a great time to round up moving boxes before they take them out to the compactor.
The mailroom clerk at my office kindly supplied about half of our packing box needs. The other half came from a new tenant at hubby's office building (he moved in, we took his boxes). After we moved, we brought all of the boxes back to hubby's office for a colleague that will be moving soon as well. Those boxes have been well used!
I recommend banana boxes -- they are smaller in size and thus easier to carry than ordinary moving boxes. All the girls that helped me with my moves liked them.
I usually ask a local fruit/vegetables shop for banana boxes, and they ask how many I want and then tell me I can pick them up in a few days. Of course, the major drawback is that the boxes are not collapsible, but I think that the "user friendly" size makes up for that ;o)
i like going to clothing stores b/c the boxes are cleaner. B&BW is great too b/c they have big & small. if you just call ahead they will always leave you some.
Liquor stores often have a wide variety of sizes to choose from and they are more than happy to get rid of them.
www.FreeCardboardBoxes.com is exactly what you are looking for. Its a FREE service, owned by Used Cardboard Boxes, Inc. Try it. Its FREE!
www.FreeCardboardBoxes.com
I have gone to Walmart, to their meat dept and asked for the boxes they receive their meat in. They are sturdy boxes and also have handled.
We offer free moving boxes to actively enlisted service men and women as well as vets. A spouse can submit for the free moving boxes if the service man or woman is overseas.
http://www.movingdayboxes.com/moving-boxes-troops.html
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