Moving around Denver comes with its fair share of expenses, so why drop more money on some cardboard boxes?
Knowing how to get free moving boxes for a Denver move is a great, budget-friendly way to keep costs down for you and your family.
Luckily, there are quite a few places throughout the city that offer free boxes for pickup.
We are here to be a resource for those looking to DIY their packing or pass it along to our crew to handle.
Let’s check out where you can find the best boxes in the Mile High City without any additional cost.
Top Sources to Find Free Moving Boxes in the Mile High City
Are you ready to start the hunt for moving boxes?
You can likely kick things off right in your own backyard.
Denver produces plenty of cardboard every day, so finding free boxes is just a matter of knowing where to look and who to ask.
We have broken it all down into the best places to find sturdy boxes and perhaps not-so-reliable ones.
You can trust this advice from your trusted Denver movers.
Local Businesses: The Cardboard Boxes Goldmine
The best boxes will come from businesses that receive daily shipments!
However, you probably don’t want to go for all the used boxes.
Leave the flimsy ones behind!
Places like local grocery stores, liquor stores, and other retailers will often discard or recycle boxes that are perfect for an upcoming local move.
Grocery stores receive regular shipments of boxes from their suppliers and often discard them after use, making them a reliable source for free moving boxes.
Local Grocery Stores
The grocery stores are where you will find large and medium-sized boxes, which typically have some strength.
The produce and dairy departments will break down their boxes and put them in the recycling bin.
This usually occurs early in the morning or late in the evening.
There is no harm in checking in with your favorite grocery stores for more information on how to get leftover boxes before they are thrown out!
Big Box Retailers
Don’t forget about the retailers either!
Places like TJ Maxx, Home Goods, and clothing retail store will get rid of their boxes after processing inventory shipments.
You may even run into wardrobe or extra-large boxes, great for bulky items, and your own closet.
Liquor Stores
Denver’s local liquor stores are a great place to find free moving boxes; however, you won’t find large ones.
Liquor stores receive shipments of liquor in sturdy boxes that are often discarded after use, making them ideal for packing smaller, fragile items.
Liquor store boxes are often smaller, durable boxes that are great for books and smaller heavy items.
While you’re prepping for your big move, read up on how to downsize effectively before a long-distance move to minimize your box needs!
Online & Neighborhood Apps: Connecting with Denver Neighbors for Free Boxes
One of the most efficient ways to get slightly used boxes is to tap into the community of people who have just finished their own move.
Think of it almost as recycling centers.
Most people who have finished unpacking will want to get rid of those moving boxes as quickly as possible, which is the perfect opportunity for you.
You can use app-based resources to connect with locals.
Facebook Marketplace
It is as easy as searching for “find free moving boxes” in local Denver-area groups.
There is always someone who has recently moved, hoping to recycle their boxes!
Nextdoor
Nextdoor is a great way to connect with local community members.
The Nextdoor app is a platform where people often share resources, including free moving boxes, making it a valuable tool for finding supplies in your neighborhood.
You can post a request for free boxes in your neighborhood, and you will be surprised how quickly you get back.
Craigslist
Craigslist can be tricky to navigate. However, it has a ‘Free’ section where people often give away boxes after moving, so it’s worth checking regularly for new postings.
You will need to be on top of things when you see a free box posting and be able to commit to picking it up quickly.
Common Places: Offices, Schools, and Community Spots
Beyond retail stores and local community members, you can also tap into local institutions.
Think about spots that receive heavy, consistent shipments, as they are an excellent source of clean, lightly used boxes.
Many businesses and institutions will get rid of the paper boxes used regularly for supplies.
- Denver Public Libraries & Bookstores: They frequently receive heavy, sturdy boxes from book shipments. Bookstores and libraries in Denver, like the Tattered Cover and Denver Public Library branches, are excellent sources for durable boxes.
- Schools/Universities: Especially effective around the end of the semester.
- Corporate Offices: Ask whether they have scheduled office supply deliveries that need to be discarded. If you’re a business, remember that managing these logistics requires specialized commercial moving services.
Plus, if you’re a business, remember that managing these logistics requires specialized commercial moving services.
When to Choose Quality Over Free: Specialty Items and Peace of Mind
It is very tempting to use free boxes to save money, but sometimes the minimal cost savings are not worth the risk associated.
A used, free box may be structurally compromised, especially if you aren’t sure how it was previously handled.
When considering your valuables or fragile items, the decision should lean toward providing total peace of mind.
The defense of your belongings depends on the integrity of those boxes, and luckily, professional local moving services can provide premium packing options.
When You Should Definitely Buy New Boxes Vs. Free Packing Boxes
Free boxes are great for things like clothes, linens, and other light, non-fragile items.
However, it is a good idea to invest in new, professional-grade boxes for valuable, fragile, and relatively heavy items.
New boxes guarantee structural integrity, meaning they’ve never been exposed to water damage, humidity, or heavy loads that might compromise their stacking strength.
So, when should you always buy new rather than take a risk on a free one?
In all the following cases, it is best to invest in something new:
- Art and Antiques: These items require specialty cartons, proper padding, and professional handling. Learn the specific techniques for packing and moving valuable art and antiques.
- Heavy Items (Dishes, Tools): A water-damaged or old free box is likely to collapse under weight.
- Long-Distance Moves: New, uniformed boxes stack better and withstand the extra transit time. This is especially true when using reliable long-distance moving services.
Skip the Packing Altogether
If the idea of hunting down boxes and assessing their quality doesn’t appeal to you, remember, there is a much more efficient way of getting things done.
Skip the packing and rely on Eden’s Moving professional packing and unpacking services.
We not only provide all the necessary, high-quality materials but also have the experience to pack them properly.
You can skip the box hunt and trust our team.
The service isn’t just about convenience; it is about ensuring the safety of your belongings during their travels.
Focus on your new Denver chapter, and let us handle the tape and bubble wrap.
Beyond the Box: Solutions for Every Move Timeline
No matter how you got your boxes, freebies, or brand new, there are other things to consider.
Let’s face it, cardboard boxes aren’t the most significant logistical issue of a move.
So what happens when you’re packing but your new place isn’t quite ready, or you haven’t found the perfect home yet?
Moving isn’t always so straightforward.
This is especially true if you are dealing with a temporary rental, shifting closing dates, or other issues.
There is some real stress that comes with relocating, and Eden’s Moving Services is here to offer real-time solutions to bridge those logistical gaps!
When Your Move Date Is Complicated
Move-out and move-in dates are hard to get perfectly aligned.
This is why having access to professional packing and temporary storage solutions is so important.
Our team offers secure storage options, whether you need it for two weeks or many months.
Our flexible storage solutions are climate-controlled, so you don’t need to worry about the safety of your items, even if they were packed in free-moving boxes.
Our moving company focuses on more than the packing process; we handle every aspect of the relocation journey, including the things that don’t go quite as planned.
Furthermore, if your move involves crossing state lines or a long-haul trip, know that we handle the end-to-end complexity of moving to and from our extensive out-of-state moving locations, ensuring a smooth transition regardless of distance.
This kind of comprehensive planning means you can focus on the logistics of moving yourself, not worrying about your possessions.
Your Next Move Starts With Denver’s Best Relocation Team
Finding free boxes is a great way to get started with the moving process, but a truly successful Denver move requires professional planning.
Have all your relocation and packing needs met with a locally owned moving company.
Allow us to take the stress out of the logistics so you can focus on getting yourself and the family settled in.
Are you ready to finally ditch the moving stress?
Contact us today for a free estimate on any of our comprehensive full-service moving, packing, and storage options!