16 Top Tips To Obtain Free Cardboard Boxes

1. Ask friends and family

One of the first and easiest places to find free moving boxes for moving is to ask friends, family and co-workers. Many people shop online so they may have some packing boxes which you can recycle. Even if you only get one or two decent sized boxes, it’s a good start to make.

2. Ask local Facebook groups

Social media is an excellent place to connect with others, especially those in your local area. Many areas have local Facebook groups where you can find people who live close to you. Some people may have spare boxes which you can use for your move. Just make a post asking for free packing boxes and see if anyone responds to your request. It really is that easy.

3. Ask local recycling centres

Local recycling centres usually have plenty of cardboard boxes, particularly as it’s often where people get rid of them. A word of warning though – it’s best to inspect them carefully for signs of damage or infestation.

4. Ask a local fast food restaurant

One of the best places to get boxes for moving is via local fast-food restaurants. Fast food places, such as McDonald’s and KFC, get regular deliveries housed in large cardboard boxes so it’s well worth asking if they can spare you a few.

5. Look on Gumtree

Gumtree is a hotspot for free stuff, including cardboard boxes. You can navigate the website to find free boxes in your local area. If you’re lucky, you may find someone with a couple of cardboard boxes you can have. Remember to check for damage or wet spots as these can make the boxes too weak to transport your belongings securely.

6. Check on Freecycle

Freecycle is a website where people get rid of their unwanted items for free. If you find someone with cardboard boxes, it’s best to ask how much these have been used, especially if this person has used them for transporting their items during a move. You need strong, sturdy boxes to place your belongings in otherwise you could end up with broken or damaged goods.

7. Ask your supermarket

Supermarkets receive many large deliveries on a daily basis, meaning they obtain many cardboard boxes. They will likely have a few packing boxes to spare. Additionally, these boxes have only been used to store groceries or other household items, so they’ll probably be in very good condition. Make a point of heading to the supermarket either early in the morning between 7 am and 8 am or late at night after 10 pm, as these are key times when shelves are restocked and you’re going to be able to ask a member of staff who replenishes stock.