One of the easiest ways to cut costs in your moving budget is by searching for free packing supplies. The cost of buying brand new moving boxes, packing tape, and other packing materials can be very expensive! Fortunately, there are lots of ways to get your hands on these items for much cheaper or free! Here, we have listed the seven best places to begin your search.
Online selling platforms
With the wide variety of online marketplaces, we have today, you are bound to find packing supplies being given away on one of them while you are preparing for your move. This is where people who have just moved and are looking to get rid of their packing supplies most often go that’s if they are looking for a more sustainable way to get rid of these items than just tossing them. Here are a few online platforms to search:
- Facebook Marketplace
- Craigslist
- Letgo
- OfferUp
- U-Haul Box Exchange
- FreeCycle
Check with your friends, family, and community groups!
In addition to searching online selling platforms, don’t forget to check with the people around you! Your friends, family, or coworkers may have boxes or packing materials to spare. If your neighborhood community uses NextDoor.com, this is always a good place to post and ask!
Know your local recycling drop-off stations
You’ve likely passed several of these while driving around town, and most of the time, these will feature two or more dumpsters full of deconstructed boxes and other re-usable materials! Be sure to check and see if taking materials is allowed. Some recycle points will be marked with “No Dumpster Diving” signs which means you shouldn’t take from that one, but there are likely others that do permit it!
Ask your office!
If you or someone in your household happens to work in a large office setting, you’re in luck! Think about all of the regular shipments an office building receives. Check with your office manager to see if they have any leftovers and if they would be willing to donate them!
Call around to your larger local retailers.
Local retailers are a great option to explore as well. Make sure you call ahead before you drive there. Some businesses will have certain days of the week when they receive their largest shipments and will advise you to come on that day when their supplies are the most plentiful. Consider checking liquor stores, bookstores, and larger retailers like Walmart, Home Depot, Best Buy, etc.
Start saving early.
An easy way to accumulate free packing supplies is by saving boxes you receive for your own personal shipments throughout the year. If you know you have a move coming up, start a collection now! You will thank yourself when the time comes to start packing and you already have a lot of what you need.
Have a move coming up?
If you’re looking for a reliable moving companies in Kansas City to help you and your family tackle your next big move, check out our website here or call A. Arnold Moving today for a quote!
