Gearing up for a move in Los Angeles? Whether you’re embarking on a solo move or relocating the whole family, costs for moving boxes can add up quickly. No matter if you’re moving across town or out of state, this guide can help you find free and cheap moving boxes in Los Angeles!
Should You Buy or Get Free Moving Boxes?
When planning your move, you’ll need to decide whether to purchase new moving boxes or hunt down free ones. Each option has benefits and drawbacks, depending on your priorities.
Buying moving boxes in LA makes sense if you need specific sizes or types of boxes for your items. New boxes are uniform and guaranteed to be of high quality, which can make them easier to pack and stack. Plus, since there are many venues where you can purchase moving boxes at any time, they’re more convenient to find—which is especially important if you’re moving on short notice.
Opting to search for free moving boxes in Los Angeles, on the other hand, is a great way to cut costs when moving on a budget. Reusing boxes not only helps you save money that can be applied to other areas of your move, but also reduces waste and supports eco-friendly efforts.
Where to Get Free Moving Boxes in Los Angeles
Some of the best places to find free moving boxes in Los Angeles include online exchanges, liquor stores, grocery stores, recycling centers, and more. Here are some spots to check for free boxes in LA.
Online Exchanges in Los Angeles
There are multiple online marketplaces that allow users to find and exchange free moving boxes in Los Angeles. Platforms like Craigslist Los Angeles, Nextdoor Los Angeles, Facebook Marketplace Los Angeles, OfferUp Los Angeles, and the U-Haul Box Exchange allow you to connect with local residents offering moving boxes for free or a low cost. The Buy Nothing Los Angeles Facebook group is another great place to look for free boxes. Sites like FreeCycle even allow you to post requests for boxes so that other users can respond to you directly. When arranging meet-ups through these platforms, it’s essential to stay safe—always choose well-lit, public areas and consider bringing a friend along for added security. Alternatively, you can reach out to friends and family on your own social media to ask if they can start saving boxes they receive from deliveries.
Liquor Stores in Los Angeles
Liquor stores are a top resource for finding free moving boxes in Los Angeles. Because they’re used to transport glass and plastic containers full of liquid, liquor store boxes are usually heavy-duty, and some may have cardboard dividers that can help you more safely and easily move glassware and other fragile items. Los Angeles liquor stores like Beverage Warehouse, Ramirez Liquor, Super Beverage Center, Republic National Distributing Company, and Total Wine & More are great places to contact to ask if they can set any boxes aside for you.
Grocery Stores in Los Angeles
Another fantastic place to look for free moving boxes near you, grocery store boxes are designed to be sturdy for transporting goods. Stores like Superior Grocers, Handy Market, Trader Joe’s, Costco, The Original Farmers Market, Ralphs, and Vons often have boxes available—but it’s a good idea to call ahead to see if they have any or can save some for you. Check any boxes you get from these locations for stains, food particles, or signs of pests to ensure they’re clean and safe for packing your belongings. Remember that some boxes, like banana boxes, have large holes that aren’t ideal for small or loose items.
Recycling Centers & Dumpsters in Los Angeles
Many people drop used moving boxes off at Los Angeles recycling centers, making them great places to check when searching for free moving boxes. Centers like South Coast Recycling Center, American Reclamation, and Active Recycling Co. may have boxes you can use, but availability isn’t guaranteed—be sure to call ahead to ask if they have boxes on hand that you can pick up. Inspect any boxes you get from a recycling center carefully for stains, pests, and durability. Some boxes may need to be taped for added reinforcement.
Other Stores & Retailers in Los Angeles
There are a variety of other stores that may offer free boxes, including beauty stores, pharmacies, bookstores, and more. These retailers often receive deliveries in sturdy boxes of varying sizes, which can make them ideal for your upcoming move. Call ahead to places like Ulta Beauty, St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store, Barnes & Noble, and Walgreens to ask about excess cardboard boxes they may have that you can swing by to pick up.
Where to Buy Cheap Moving Boxes in Los Angeles
If you’re looking for affordable moving boxes in Los Angeles, check out self storage facilities, local moving box stores, and national retailers. Moving boxes in Los Angeles come in a wide range of sizes and prices, with small boxes starting at $1.00 and extra large boxes available for $6.06 or less.
Please note that listed dimensions for boxes with precise measurements are rounded to the nearest tenth.
Walmart
You can buy moving boxes that range in size from 17x11x13 at $1.00 to 24x16x19 at $2.10 at Walmart in Los Angeles. There are three Walmart locations in Los Angeles that sell moving boxes, as well as other moving supplies like bubble wrap, furniture covers, corner protectors, and more.
Home Depot
Moving box sizes range from 15x10x12 at $1.28 to 24x20x21 at $3.48 at Home Depot locations in Los Angeles. There are three Home Depot locations in Central and South Los Angeles, and they also sell other moving supplies like packing paper, packing foam, mattress bags, and moving blankets.
Box City
Browse moving boxes ranging from 1.5 cubic feet at $1.48 to 6.1 cubic feet at $6.06 at Box City in Los Angeles, with four different locations in the city. Box City also offers a variety of other moving supplies, including corner protectors, furniture pads, lifting straps, and mattress bags.
Lowe’s
Purchase moving boxes ranging from 16x12x12 at $1.75 to 22x21.5x22 at $3.75 at the Lowe’s locations in Central Los Angeles. Lowe’s also provides moving supplies like hand trucks and dollies, moving straps, packing tape, and moving blankets.
Extra Space Storage
Extra Space Storage offers moving boxes ranging in size from 16.6x12.5x12.5 at $2.69 to 24x18x24 at $5.99. There are more than 22 Extra Space Storage locations in Los Angeles that sell affordable moving boxes, along with other packing supplies like bubble wrap, furniture covers, tape, glassware protection kits, stretch wrap, and more.
Where to Recycle Moving Boxes in Los Angeles
You have plenty of eco-friendly options when it comes time to get rid of your moving boxes. You can donate your boxes on Freecycle, the Buy Nothing Los Angeles Facebook group, and more—or resell them online through Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, Craigslist, and other platforms. Or, you can simply dispose of them through Los Angeles recycling facilities.
Active Recycling Co.
Active Recycling Co. accepts cardboard moving boxes as well as other moving supplies like paper. Call ahead for information on pricing. All Active Recycling Co. locations in Los Angeles are usually open seven days a week. Their 2000 W Slauson Ave location is typically open from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., while their 5601 E Valley Blvd location and 14300 Bessemer St location are typically open from 6:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
American Reclamation
American Reclamation accepts cardboard moving boxes, plus other moving supplies like newspaper. They sometimes purchase loads of paper products, though prices vary by the month—call ahead for current pricing details. Their paper yard where cardboard and other materials can be dropped off is typically open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Find American Reclamation at 4560 Doran St.
LA Sanitation
The City of Los Angeles has a Move In/Move Out program through LA Sanitation that accepts cardboard moving boxes—along with other moving supplies like shredded paper and packing peanuts—on your regular waste collection day for no extra charge. Your boxes must be flattened and tied together in bundles that are no larger than 2x3. Additionally, you must call in at least one day ahead of time to make use of the program and let them know the total number of boxes or bundles to expect.
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Moving to Los Angeles? Extra Space Storage offers a variety of moving boxes and supplies available for in-store pickup at storage facilities in Los Angeles.
