Getting moving boxes is at the top of most moving to-do lists. Whether you are using a professional moving company or are moving yourself, you are going to need a large supply of clean and sturdy moving boxes to protect your belongings. Most moving companies will offer you an option to provide the packing supplies or even do all the packing and unpacking for you. Bim bam boom, with one phone call you’re done! How awesome is that?
If you’re more of the do-it yourself kind of mover it’s important to calculate how many moving boxes you will need first. Be sure to compare the prices for new moving boxes from your moving company and from local hardware stores or box stores. As you are crunching the numbers you may realize you need a lot of boxes! Take a deep breath, before you consider moving your things in trash bags, why not consider using recycled slightly-used moving boxes. Both an eco-friendly and economical option, used moving boxes might be the solution for you. Where do you find a good supply of moving boxes? Try any of the following sources for clean, used moving boxes.
Green moving companies
Eco-friendly moving companies often offer their clients incentives for using recycled moving boxes or recycling them after a move. You can offer to buy the boxes at a discounted rate if you return them after the move. Green movers support recycling moving boxes as it cuts down on waste.
Craigslist List
Everyone’s favorite site for everything! Find your city page and look under free stuff. You are sure to find a few local people that list moving boxes and sometimes even packing material. As always when using this site be cautious and don’t go alone to strangers’ homes.
Freecycle
This online community allow members to list free items that can be reused. You can follow them on twitter and get up to date messages when new items are listed. Search for moving boxes and see if there are any available near you.
Fast food restaurants
Some fast food joints get large shipments of supplies that come in a big cardboard boxes. Visit your local fast food place and ask the manager if they have any larger boxes they can give you. Maybe you can get a side of fries with that!
Your office
Never underestimate the power of asking around. Whether you work at an office or a friend of a friend does, office supplies usually come in large boxes. Ask for Xerox paper boxes these come with handy lids that can be turned into great moving boxes.
Holiday Time
If your move is near or after the holidays ask your neighbors for their unwanted packaging from larger gifts. You might even find a T.V. box that fits your T.V. So if you hear your neighbor talking about their new stove or computer make sure you ask them to save you the box.
Those are just a few places to find free or used moving boxes. Do you know any good spots to find recycled boxes? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments section below.