Top 10 Places to Find Free Moving Boxes
When anybody plans to move, the first thing that comes to mind is the boxes that will hold all the stuff. Preferably a good number of moving boxes are required to move complete belongings. So for that, most of us look for some budget-friendly options from where we can get moving boxes without paying a single penny. It is much more obvious and practical also as there are no benefits of investing in such an object that will become useless after one use. To help individuals in such a situation, there are certain companies and places that offer moving boxes for free.
Depending on your needs you can easily find the right cardboard moving boxes for your big moving day. To help you make your moving day a little more relaxed and budget friendly, we are listing here some of the sources from where you can get free moving boxes. If you plan to move in the upcoming time then you can book them in advance and can save money.
Local Grocery Stores
You will definitely get free moving boxes from your local grocery stores. Many grocery stores receive regular deliveries and may have extra boxes that they can give away. They use heavy-duty boxes to supply fresh products to their other outlets. Thus they always have several empty cardboard boxes that need to be disposed of. So you can discuss your requirements with them and ask them to take them. The boxes available at these stores can easily handle your delicate goods at the time of moving. So you should start enquiring about these boxes in advance whenever you need to move.
Bottle Shops
We all know the number of bars and liquor stores that Melbourne has and also these come under our list of where you can get quality and free moving boxes. Every liquor or bottle store makes use of cardboard boxes to transfer wine and spirits. They provide boxes to conveniently carry bottles to your car. Their cardboard boxes are generally small in size but good enough to lift heavy objects such as books, plates, glassware and other fragile items. You can get small-sized cardboard boxes at local liquor stores whereas if you visit a large liquor store then you can likely get large size cardboard boxes. You can ask your nearby bottle shop if they have empty boxes so that you can save some money on your move.
Local Recycling Centres
The next resource from where you can get the free moving boxes is the recycling center. At this place, you will get different-sized boxes. As recycling centers get corrugated cardboard in flattened form, paper boxes, and other such boxes that are not required by the user anymore. So this place might work as the jackpot to get a good number of moving boxes without paying anything. Before starting packing you must check out the recycling centers that might fulfill your expectations. It is also important to check the condition of the box and they should be in optimal condition as you have to safely relocate your things.
Local Restaurants And Coffee Shops
Again no one can deny the fact that Melbourne is the home of amazing cafes and restaurants. Every food store requires fresh goods to start their pantry work, and in most cases, these goods are delivered in cardboard boxes which are of no use to them after emptying. So you can ask your nearby food restaurants and cafes about the availability of boxes that will help you in packing your stuff. Restaurants and coffee shops tend to be busiest during meal times, so try visiting during off-hours when there are fewer customers. This may make it easier to ask for boxes without disturbing anyone.
Bookstores
How can we forget about bookstores? Most of the bookstores either local or large chain stores, make use of sturdy boxes to handle the books. Such types of boxes are termed banker’s boxes and can easily carry a good amount of weight. They use those boxes to deliver books to institutional places. These boxes are hard enough to hold your fragile and precious objects and ensure the safe delivery of your goods. So visiting a bookstore in order to collect free moving boxes will be a wise decision to save money while moving.
Online Marketplaces And Communities
Free moving boxes may often be found through online marketplaces and forums. Your favorite social media websites such as Facebook also help you in getting the moving boxes for free. You can post from your side in the groups and if anyone has recently transferred from one location to another can give those boxes to you. You can discuss it with them and collect them from the desired place. Such a situation will be a win-win for both of the people as the owner doesn’t need to get them recycled and the user will save some money.
You should start your search on websites like Craigslist, Freecycle, Facebook Marketplace, and Gumtree. These websites let local residents post listings for free stuff, such as moving boxes. When you type “free moving boxes” into the search bar on these websites, you’ll probably get a number of entries for offers in your neighbourhood.
Op Shops & Thrift Stores
As they frequently get a lot of contributions in boxes that they can’t use themselves, op shops and thrift stores are fantastic places to acquire free moving boxes. You should keep in mind some pointers to get free moving boxes from op shops and thrift shops. It’s a good idea to call ahead and inquire about the availability of moving boxes at an op shop or thrift store before you arrive. If they don’t have any boxes to give away, doing this might save you time and work.
Op shops and thrift stores regularly receive contributions, so it’s a good idea to return often to see if there are any fresh boxes available. When you enter an antique or thrift shop, be kind and courteous to the workers. Inform them that you need moving boxes and inquire as to whether they have any on hand. Having good manners can help you acquire what you want. Be cautious to verify the boxes’ quality before removing any. Don’t accept boxes that are too worn out, damaged, or ripped as they will be not useful for you.
Neighbors and Friends
Due to the possibility that they may have just moved or know someone who has, neighbours and friends can be a terrific source of free moving boxes. Inform your friends and neighbours that you need free moving boxes. How many individuals are eager to donate boxes that they no longer need may surprise you. If you use social media, ask if anybody has any extra moving boxes they’re willing to give away in a post. To discover whether someone is giving boxes, search neighbourhood groups on websites like Facebook.
If someone has boxes they want to give away, volunteer to pick them up yourself. This can help them avoid having to dispose of the boxes, which increases the likelihood that they’ll agree to give them to you. Be ready to go through them because the boxes you receive from friends or neighbours could not be in the best form or be a variety of sizes and shapes. Prepare yourself to go through them and select the ones that meet your requirements.
Apartment Complexes
Due to the regular shifting in and out of inhabitants, apartment buildings may be a fantastic source of free moving boxes in Melbourne. Residents can leave cardboard boxes and other recyclables in designated recycling areas at many apartment buildings. Regularly search these places for boxes you can use. If you notice someone moving into or out of the building, inquire as to if they have any extra boxes. If any residents have boxes to give away, you may also inquire with the apartment management if they are aware of any.
Search for boxes in public spaces like the foyer, mail room, or storage spaces. Here, boxes are frequently left for others to take. Post a note asking if anyone has boxes to give away on the community board or online group for the apartment block. You might be able to get in touch with locals who want to get rid of boxes. Keep in mind to show consideration for the apartment block and its occupants. Be careful of any regulations or standards regulating the usage of shared spaces, and don’t take any boxes that are meant for recycling or that belongs to someone else.
Office Buildings
There may be free moving boxes available for use in many office buildings. A lot of business buildings have extra boxes laying around that they would be pleased to give away, so ask the receptionist or building management. If there are any available, inquire with the front desk staff or building management. They could even be able to point you in the direction of a specific location where the boxes are kept.
Verify recycling locations or dumpsters near the building. You could find some boxes that are still in good shape and can be used because many offices recycle their boxes. You might inquire if there are any additional boxes the office building’s various tenants or businesses would be willing to give away. It’s possible that they’ve just moved in themselves and have additional boxes lying around. Always remember to obtain authorization before taking any boxes, and abide by all rules and regulations of the office building.
Final Words
Finding free moving boxes is not a difficult task if you know where to look. By following some of the resources mentioned in this blog, you can save a significant amount of money and reduce your environmental impact by reusing boxes instead of buying new ones. Remember to plan ahead and start searching for free boxes as early as possible to avoid last-minute stress. Additionally, consider donating or recycling your used boxes after the move to help others and reduce waste. With a little effort and creativity, you can make your move more affordable, eco-friendly, and stress-free.