How to Find Free Packing Supplies

Moving is expensive, but one of the best places to cut costs is by scoring free moving supplies. From free moving boxes to free (or deeply discounted) packing peanuts, there are several resources online and in your community that offer options. 

By reaching out to community groups, ordering moving boxes from the USPS, and asking local businesses, you may be able to move your entire home for next to nothing.

• Ask community groups
• Order from the post office
• Check with local businesses
• The takeaway
• FAQ

Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, NextDoor, or BuyNothing are all fantastic resources for anyone looking to buy or get rid of old moving boxes.

Depending on the listing and whether or not you're able to haggle with the seller, you may be able to find a bulk batch of cardboard moving boxes perfect for packing. 

We also recommend checking into your local subreddit page (usually "r/your city name here"). There, you can post a request to folks in your area and source boxes that way.

Did you know you can order free boxes from USPS?

Most of the items listed are smaller boxes and envelopes perfect for smaller or delicate items. And with them already in flat-rate shipping boxes, you can just send them to your new address in the mail.

Businesses in your area get shipments and restock the shelves constantly. Before you buy moving boxes, check out some of the shops in your area for freebies.  

We're not talking cereal boxes here. Grocery stores go through lots and lots of cardboard boxes every day. If you simply ask someone stocking the shelves or the checkout, chances are good you can have your pick of free moving boxes in a variety of sizes and shapes. 

Furniture often comes packed in large boxes. Most of those will get thrown away.

Go to the furniture store and ask if they have any old boxes lying around. They may also have some packing supplies on hand, like bubble wrap, wrapping paper, or styrofoam, that they’re willing to give to you.

Most stores will be happy to set the items aside for you, so call or visit in person to ask.

Another option is to look at wineries or liquor stores. Bottles often come well-packed in cardboard boxes with packing materials inside, so you may be able to walk away from your visit to a local winery or liquor store with dozens of boxes if you come on the right day. Call ahead, and the manager or owner may be willing to set boxes aside for you.

Costco, Best Buy, Home Depot, you name it and they likely have extra boxes to spare. With all that merchandise for sale, the shelves are constantly being stocked, restocked, and rearranged. Like with any store, it's best to call ahead to ask about extra cardboard boxes, but there's no end in supply at these stores.

Those bestsellers don't just appear on the shelves. Your local bookstore employees also have to pack and unpack lots of books into moving boxes. Before you spend money on boxes, give your local bookstore a visit and ask if they have any boxes to spare.

There are usually many places to find free cardboard moving boxes to make your move cheaper and more efficient. Look online, at your local community bulletin board, and start asking around. Doing a little legwork will help you find plenty of supplies to get you started.

Would you like to learn more about finding cheap moving boxes? Read Where to Get Moving Boxes for more insight at Move.org.

Packing peanuts don't taste great, but they at least make packing easier. 

If you want to find free packing peanuts, ask local businesses, such as smoke shops, florists, or anywhere with lots of glass merchandise that needs to be packed tightly.

Walmart offers boxes for sale on the shelf, but you can also come to Walmart after 10:00 p.m. to ask for any leftover boxes reserved for recycling. If you can’t stay up that late or wait for the night to come, you may want to go to the customer service counter. Usually, customer service can tell you when to come back or ask department leads if they have boxes available.

The cheapest packing material is any material that doesn’t cost you anything, like free boxes, tissue paper, or strips of cardboard gathered from local retailers. If you’re purchasing supplies, packing peanuts are an affordable option.

Instead of packing paper, you could try tissue paper, newspaper, packing foam, leftover wrapping paper, blankets, or packing peanuts.

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