Empty cardboard moving boxes can be sourced from many places. Online, hardware stores, popular food stores and restaurants often have empty cardboard boxes that are available to pick up for free to those who ask. Stores with high inventory are a great bet to pick a few up.
Low cost empty cardboard boxes are available from online stores and hardware stores for low cost when bought in bulk quantities.
Where Can I Get Empty Cardboard Boxes for Free?
Craigslist Free Section
Craigslist Free often lists items posted by recent movers looking to offload their items after unpacking. One on these items will be the same empty carboard boxes used to pack the majority of their household items that were transported to their new homes.
In the Craigslist Free section, ads are posted up by users wishing to giveaway items no longer of any use to them. You can then get in touch with them fairly easily and arrange a pick up time that is convenient for both of you.
Buy Nothing Project
The buy nothing project (BNProject) is a community group that prioritizes looking out for the local community by providing an opportunity to share resources with each other. Often times this includes empty cardboard boxes that have been stored away in somebodies garage for a while that they can’t wait to part ways with.
Check out your local Buy Nothing community group and see if there are any goods worth grabbing.
Freecycle
Freecycle shares some similarities with the Buy Nothing Project. It is a grassroots movement created for the purpose of getting people together who are dedicated to helping their towns and communities by sharing free stuff with whoever needs it.
Try your luck with the Freecycle groups in your area and see if you can snag some quality empty cardboard boxes. It’s easy to get started and no strings attached, it really is free!
Hardware Stores
Hardware stores, while being the primary seller of empty cardboard boxes, funnily enough have many areas in store where free empty cardboard boxes are available for the taking. Stores like Jerry’s and The Home Depot often have boxes in store near the check out counters or in staff areas that are not much use to anyone there. Go inside and ask staff if they are willing to part ways with a few to help you out. They’ll likely be happy to assist with your request.
Starbucks
Starbucks often have high quality boxes that are delivered to their store often for restocking. You can go to your local Starbucks counter and ask staff if they have any spare empty cardboard boxes they could throw over to you. Since these boxes are usually broken down and thrown out by staff at the end of the day regardless, they often won’t have a problem giving them away to those who ask.
Where to Purchase Empty Boxes On the Cheap
Brand new empty cardboard boxes can be purchased at hardware stores, either picked up in person or delivered to your door. They are often a better bet than used boxes for quality, as the structure of the cardboard boxes haven’t been compromised by either bending, tearing, or moisture.
The cheapest cardboard boxes are ECT-32 rated single walled corrugated Kraft material. Capable of carrying up to 65lbs of items for multi-varied uses. Saving even more on these new cardboard boxes can be done by buying in bulk quantities where heavy discounts are applied.
Online at stores such as Amazon you can find great deals on low cost cardboard boxes. Amazon’s own basics range is typically the cheapest option for singular and bulk buys of single walled cube shaped boxes. Great for budget minded buyers.
U-Haul also have a great low cost range where you can get empty card board boxes in both singular and bulk quantities.
RRP Cost of Moving Boxes
| Amazon Moving Box | Full Retail Price | Cost per unit (when purchased as a bundle) |
|---|---|---|
| Bankers Box Smoothmove Large | $53.43 ( 6 pack) | $8.91 |
| Cheap! Cheap! Large Moving Boxes | $48.00 (12 pack) | $4.00 |
| Aviditi Heavy Duty Large Moving Box | $76.99 (2 pack) | $5.13 |
| Amazon's Basics Large Cardboard Moving Box | $45.66 (12 pack) | $3.81 |
| Lowes Classic Moving Box | Full Retail Price | Cost Per Box RRP (As A Bundle) |
|---|---|---|
| Small | $32.58 (20 Pack) | $1.63 |
| Medium | $44.58 (20 Pack) | $2.23 |
| Large | $54.48 (20 Pack) | $2.72 |
| Extra Large | $74.48 (20 Pack) | $3.72 |
| U-Haul Classic Moving Box | Full Retail Price | Cost Per Box RRP (As A Bundle) |
|---|---|---|
| Small | $27.25 (25 Pack) | $1.09 |
| Medium | $32.60 (20 Pack) | $1.63 |
| Large | $29.55 (15 Pack) | $1.97 |
| Extra Large | $28.70 (10 Pack) | $2.87 |
| The Home Depot Moving Box | Full Retail Price | Cost Per Box RRP (As A Bundle) |
|---|---|---|
| Small | $21.78 (20 Pack) | $1.09 |
| Medium | $41.45 (20 Pack) | $2.07 |
| Large | $39.97 (20 Pack) | $2.00 |
| Extra Large | $54.67 (20 Pack) | $2.73 |
Where to Purchase High Quality Empty Cardboard Boxes
High quality moving boxes are usually boxes that have better qualities over regular cardboard boxes. They have stronger sidewalls due to their increased wall thickness or by using extra double or triple wall layers.
These boxes will typically be rated ECT-48 and above from most manufacturers. The typical standard moving box on average costs more than the higher quality strong walled boxes. However there are many value deals that can still be had for bargain hunters.
| ECT Rating | Maximum Weight Capacity | Number of Corrugated Walls |
|---|---|---|
| ECT-32 | 65lbs | Single |
| ECT-44 | 95lbs | Single |
| ECT-48 | 100lbs | Double |
| ECT-51 | 120lbs | Double |
| ECT-90 | 280lbs | Triple |
| ECT-155 | 300lbs | Triple |
The Home Depot, Lowe’s, U-Haul, Amazon, Jerry’s are all great places to purchase quality boxes. The advantage of buying them yourself is that you get to choose the exact size of boxes that you need.
| Lowes Heavy Duty Moving Box | Full Retail Price | Cost Per Box RRP (As A Bundle) |
|---|---|---|
| Extra Small | $44.58 (20 Pack) | $2.30 |
| Small | $54.58 (20 Pack) | $2.73 |
| Medium | $74.58 (20 Pack) | $3.73 |
| Large | $104.58 (20 Pack) | $5.23 |
| U-Haul Heavy Duty Moving Box | Full Retail Price |
|---|---|
| Small | $2.10 Each |
| Medium | $2.99 Each |
| Large | $5.95 Each |
| Extra Large | $7.95 Each |
| The Home Depot Heavy Duty Moving Box | Full Retail Price | Cost Per Box RRP (As A Bundle) |
|---|---|---|
| Extra Small | $32.34 (20 Pack) | $1.62 |
| Small | $39.60 (20 Pack) | $1.98 |
| Medium | $56.34 (20 Pack) | $2.82 |
| Large | $81.19 (20 Pack) | $4.06 |
| Extra Large | $109.82 (20 Pack) | $5.50 |
Conclusion – Where Can I Get Empty Cardboard Boxes
You can source empty cardboard boxes from online stores, local community sharing projects, and in hardware stores.
If you are willing to put in a little effort you can source empty boxes from many places. BNProject, Craigslist Free, and Freecycle are all places where you can check out who in your local community has free empty cardboard boxes to give away.
If you want brand new cheap or higher quality moving boxes, online avenues such as Amazon, U-Haul, and other popular hardware stores in your area have good bundle deals where you can get several moving boxes for bargain prices.
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