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On the move? 10 really easy ways to get free cardboard boxes in the UK
- , by Jo Hilton
- 4 min reading time
Mention moving house and a few images will immediately spring to mind. One of them – I’m willing to bet – will be a pile of cardboard boxes.
Cardboard boxes are ideal for removals. The reasons they’re used are exactly the same as those that make them perfect for ecommerce businesses as well: they’re durable, lightweight, prevent moisture from getting at contents and, being relatively inexpensive, can be reused numerous times. They’ll happily sit in a loft for fifty years and, at the end of their very long, sustainable lifespan, are completely biodegradable.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise then that The Packaging Club loves the humble cardboard box so much. And of course, such is our admiration that we make a business out of selling them in all their wonderful varieties. That said, when it comes to moving house, we don’t think you should buy any. Not even from us! Far better (and far more environmentally friendly) to reuse and recycle by picking them up for free.
If you’re using a removal company, most will supply boxes as part of their service—and collect them again once you’ve unpacked, passing them on to their next customers.
But if you’re packing, transporting and unloading yourself, how can you get hold of good-quality cardboard boxes for free? Read on for ten easy ideas.
1. Supermarkets
Supermarkets receive deliveries multiple times a day and end up with shedloads of empty boxes. Ask the staff if they can set some aside for you—many stores are happy to give them away rather than break them down for recycling.
2. Coffee Shops
Coffee shops get stock in sturdy boxes too. Specify the size you need, grab a latte while you’re there—and voilà, win-win.
3. Off-licences
Wine and spirits arrive in strong, regularly replenished boxes. Ask for ones with lids or flaps you can tape shut—and maybe treat yourself to a celebratory bottle while you’re there.
4. Other Retailers
Many shops receive daily deliveries and need to recycle their boxes. It costs them nothing to pass them on—you could try:
- Discount stores
- Printing and copy shops
- Stationery shops
- Bookshops
- DIY centres
- Bars and restaurants
- Chemists
5. Garden Centres
Garden centres often display plants in cardboard trays or boxes. Just check they’re not damp or weakened by soil before you load up.
6. Fast Food Joints & Restaurants
Drive-thrus and takeaways receive supplies in sturdy packaging boxes. A polite ask at peak-quiet times can yield surprisingly good results.
7. Schools
Schools get endless deliveries—paper, catering supplies, sports kit. If you know someone on site, they may happily set aside boxes rather than flatten them and recycle.
8. Freecycle
Freecycle lets people give away items for free. A quick search often turns up locals offering moving boxes you can collect at no cost.
9. Facebook Marketplace
Filter by location to find nearby free offers. You’ll need to scroll past the sponsored listings, but it’s an easy way to see what’s available in your area. Click here to search.
10. Gumtree
Another free classifieds site—search for “free cardboard boxes” in your postcode area and check back regularly for new adverts.
What to Do After You’ve Used Your Boxes
When your move is done, don’t landfill those boxes! Store them for future use, pass them on to friends or family, or donate them. If they’ve reached the end of their life, recycle at your local centre (find recycling advice here).
There you have it—ten simple ways to get free cardboard boxes for moving. Relocating is expensive enough; why pay for packing materials when perfectly good boxes are waiting to be reused?
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