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Should I Use Used Boxes for My Next Move?

Re-using moving boxes can save you money, and it is good for the environment. However, used boxes have some drawbacks, and if you don’t already have them on hand, you might spend a significant amount of time trying to find them instead of actually packing. Same goes for repurposed boxes, like the box your printer shipped in. Sure, it works, but is it really a good option?

Maybe. There are times when re-using moving boxes and repurposing other boxes makes sense, at least to some degree. At other times, you’re better off investing the money in new boxes. Here’s what you need to know to determine which option is best for you.

Reasons to re-use boxes

One of the most common reasons people consider re-using and repurposing boxes is to save money. A new 4-Bedroom+ Master Pak® Moving Kit from U-Haul, including boxes and packing materials, costs $440. Specialty boxes can be equally expensive—you’ll pay $14 for a large wardrobe box. Even a conservative mix of small, medium and large boxes can set you back $60 or more.

If you’re lucky, though, you can find free or cheap used moving boxes. Start at U-Haul. Most U-Haul stores have a “Take a Box, Leave a Box” area where you can take the used boxes and moving materials previous customers have left behind. Another good option is to watch for moving boxes on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace or U-Haul Exchange. Often, people who have recently moved will give away their boxes for free on these sites or for a nominal fee.

Re-using and repurposing boxes is also good for the environment. In 2018 alone, the United States generated 67.4 million tons of paper and paperboard waste, including cardboard boxes, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. That’s roughly 23 percent of all waste generated! Re-using moving boxes or enlisting other boxes helps reduce the amount of paper waste.

Reasons to not re-use boxes

Used boxes have their drawbacks, too. They can be dirty, covered with a fine coat of dust from sitting in a garage or office warehouse, or even have oil or other disgusting stains you don’t want touching your belongings. Additionally, boxes lose their structural integrity over time. By packing too much in an old, weak box, you risk having its bottom break open, spilling its contents on the ground.

Even if you screen boxes for dirt and structural integrity, used boxes aren’t always the best option. They can harbor pests like bedbugs, moths, carpet beetles and roaches, which you may not be able to see. (I once used produce boxes from a local grocery store for a move only to realize while unpacking that several had roaches. Not the best way to start off in a new home.)

Also, you get what you get when it comes to used boxes. For example, you may not be able to find a box for your flat screen TV, which can put it at risk of damage during the move. Or, you may end up with boxes that are larger than a standard moving box. That doesn’t sound so bad until you realize that, packed, these boxes are much heavier than anticipated.

Finally, you have to find them. Expect to spend time scouring online resources like Craigslist or driving to big box stores for leftover boxes. That’s time you could be devoting to packing.

What to look for in used boxes

There are good used boxes out there, though, and if you can find them, it can make sense to re-use them. Before you bring used boxes home, inspect them carefully for cleanliness and wear and tear. You’ll also want to check for bugs, but even if you don’t see any, consider storing them in your garage until needed.

Stick to moving boxes if possible. These will be heavy duty and often have handles cut into the cardboard for easy lifting and carrying. However, if you can’t find moving boxes, make sure the boxes you do bring home have sturdy walls and can be easily stacked. Preferably, you want double-walled or corrugated boxes, small- and medium-sized boxes.

A mix of box sizes is ideal, though. Small boxes are good for packing heavy items like books while large boxes work well for larger, lighter objects like bedding and pillows. You’ll want medium-sized boxes for packing most items. A medium-sized box is typically 18” x 18” x 16”.

Where to find free moving boxes

It does take some time to find free used boxes, especially if you are looking for specialty boxes, like wardrobe boxes. Knowing where to look can minimize your efforts.

U-Haul: As mentioned above, most U-Haul stores give customers the option to leave their gently used boxes at their “Take a Box, Leave a Box” area after a move. This may be your best bet for finding wardrobe, mirror and flat screen TV boxes.
U-Haul Exchange: This marketplace gives U-Haul customers the opportunity to sell or give away their boxes and packing materials. Again, this is a good option if you’re looking for specialty boxes.
Craigslist/Facebook Marketplace: People who have recently moved often list their leftover boxes and packing materials on sites like these. Often, the boxes are free or, if there is a charge, it is minimal.
Nextdoor: The popular neighborhood site routinely has posts offering free moving boxes. Download the app as soon as you learn you’re moving.
Family and friends: Ask everyone you know. They might not have moving boxes, but they might know someone who does.
Neighbors: If someone has recently moved into your neighborhood, don’t be shy about asking if they want to get rid of any of their boxes.

More places to find free boxes

These places are hit and miss when it comes to quality boxes, but you still can luck out and find some.

Office: Your office’s warehouse may have a steady stream of incoming boxes you can take. Inspect each one carefully, though. Boxes that have been shipped through the mail or a service like Amazon can be damaged and dirty when they arrive. Other boxes may not be sturdy enough to pack and stack.
Retail stores: Big box stores like Home Depot and Best Buy often have boxes near their shipping/receiving dock. As a courtesy, ask the store before taking these. You may also be able to score free boxes at grocery stores, office supply stores, liquor stores and schools. (At the beginning of the year, schools receive boxed supplies for the year).
Apartments: People continuously move in and out of apartments, and sometimes, you can find used moving boxes in the property’s recycle bin. Again, ask management before rummaging through the bin looking for boxes.
College dorms: This is definitely cyclical, but if you’re moving in the fall, you may be able to score boxes after students have returned to school and unpacked.
Yard sales: People often host yard or garage sales after a move. In fact, occasionally, they’ll have their used boxes for sale. If not, watch for sales with boxes containing the items for sale. The owner may be willing to empty the box and sell it or, at the end of the day, give it away.

Moving day

Whether you re-use moving boxes or buy new ones, consider hiring a moving company to get your boxes to your new home. Our broad network of reliable movers makes it easy to book a reputable company. Since all of the companies in our network are licensed and insured, you can focus on the logistics of the move itself and not worry about your belongings regardless of the boxes you use or where you found them.