Whether you’re moving to a new state or relocating to a nearby area in Houston, it’s no secret that moving expenses can add up quickly. To cut down on moving costs, use this guide for help finding cheap or free moving boxes in Houston, TX.
Should You Buy or Get Free Moving Boxes?
When planning a move, you’ll need to decide whether you want to take the time to find free moving boxes or purchase boxes instead. There are advantages and disadvantages to each option depending on your priorities.
If you’re moving on short notice, opting to buy moving boxes in Houston can be helpful as it’s often more convenient than searching around for free ones. Purchasing new boxes also allows you to select specific sizes or types of boxes for your items. Plus, high-quality, uniform boxes are easier to pack and stack!
On the other hand, searching for free moving boxes in Houston is a great choice if you’re looking to save money or allocate more of your budget toward other moving supplies or needs. Reusing cardboard boxes also helps to reduce waste, making it a more eco-friendly option.
Where to Get Free Moving Boxes in Houston
Popular places to find free cardboard boxes in Houston include liquor stores, grocery stores, recycling centers, and other retailers, as well as online exchange platforms. If you’re moving on a budget, here are some places to look for free, used moving boxes in Houston.
Online Exchanges in Houston
Online marketplaces give you a great starting point for finding free or low-cost moving boxes in Houston. Search Facebook Marketplace Houston or request to join groups like Houston Buy, Sell, and Trade to find listings for free moving boxes. Take a look at platforms like Craigslist Houston, Nextdoor Houston, Freecycle Houston, and Houston U-Haul Box Exchange, where community members can offer up free or cheap moving boxes in Houston. When meeting with others to pick up items, choose public spaces and consider bringing a friend along for safety. Or, if you’d prefer to stay within your immediate social network, put out a request on your personal social media asking your friends to save any cardboard boxes they receive from online orders.
Liquor Stores in Houston
If you’re searching for free moving boxes in Houston, liquor stores are a fantastic resource. Liquor store boxes tend to be particularly sturdy, and some even come with built-in dividers, which can help you keep glassware and other fragile items from knocking into each other during your move. To find out if liquor stores have extra boxes they’re willing to give out, reach out to liquor stores near you like Total Wine & More, Ralston Discount Liquors, and more.
Grocery Stores in Houston
Be sure to check grocery stores near you in Houston for free, heavy-duty cardboard moving boxes. Contact your nearest Central Market, H-E-B, or Trader Joe’s to see if they can set any boxes aside for you. When you pick up the boxes, double-check for stains, food remnants, moisture, and any signs of bugs. Additionally, be cautious of banana boxes, as they have large holes that could allow smaller items to fall through.
Recycling Centers & Dumpsters in Houston
Some Houston recycling centers may allow you to pick up cardboard moving boxes that others have dropped off. Call ahead to recycling locations in Houston like Westpark Consumer Recycling Center or Ellington Airport/Clear Lake Neighborhood Recycling Center to see if they have any cardboard boxes you’d be able to come get. If you acquire boxes from a recycling center, take the time to inspect them for stains, durability, and pests. Since recycling centers often require boxes to be broken down first, you may also need to tape these boxes up for added reinforcement.
Other Stores & Retailers in Houston
You can also look to large retail stores and bookstores in Houston to find free cardboard boxes. These places typically receive shipments in sturdy boxes, which can give you a variety of box sizes to choose from for your upcoming move. Houston retailers like PetSmart, Ulta, and Barnes & Noble may be willing to give away cardboard boxes for free. Give them a call in advance to ask if they can set some aside for you!
Where to Buy Cheap Moving Boxes in Houston
From local moving supplies stores to national retailers, there’s no shortage of places to find affordable moving boxes in Houston. Moving boxes in Space City come in a variety of sizes, with small moving boxes starting at $0.85 and large moving boxes selling for $5.59 or less.
Please note that listed dimensions for boxes with precise measurements are rounded to the nearest tenth.
Debree Reuse & Recycle
Buy used moving boxes ranging in size from 16x13x13 at $0.85 to 24x18x18 at $1.50 at Debree Reuse & Recycle. This local business sells moving boxes of various sizes—including specialty boxes such as wardrobe boxes and mirror boxes—as well as packing paper, shrink wrap, and other moving supplies. You can arrange to pick up boxes and supplies in store by placing an order online or over the phone.
Walmart
Find moving boxes in Houston sized from 17x11x13 at $1.00 to 24x16x19 at $2.10 at Walmart in Houston. There are 24 Walmart locations in Houston where you can buy moving boxes and other packing supplies like bubble wrap, packing tape, and foam pouches.
Home Depot
Browse moving box sizes ranging from 15x10x12 at $1.28 to 24x20x21 at $3.48 at one of 21 Home Depot locations in Houston. Home Depot also offers a variety of other moving and packing supplies in Houston, including moving kits, mattress bags, hand trucks, and moving blankets.
Ace Hardware
Cardboard moving boxes range in size from 10.5x12x12 at $1.99 to 18x24x24 at $5.59 at Ace Hardware. There are seven Ace Hardware locations in Houston that provide moving boxes, along with other moving supplies like stretch wrap, movers blankets, and bubble wrap.
Extra Space Storage
Purchase high-quality moving boxes ranging in size from 16.6x12.5x12.5 at $2.69 to 24x18x24 at $5.99 at Extra Space Storage in Houston. There are 68 Extra Space Storage locations in Houston that sell moving boxes and other supplies such as tie downs, bubble wrap, furniture covers, dish protection kits, and more.
Where to Recycle Moving Boxes in Houston
Once you’ve finished unpacking in your new home, be sure to get rid of your moving boxes in an eco-friendly way. Choose to donate or resell your moving boxes online through platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor, Craigslist, and more. Or recycle your cardboard moving boxes at one of Houston’s many recycling facilities.
Neighborhood Depository & Recycling Centers
In addition to accepting cardboard boxes, Houston Neighborhood Depository and Recycling Centers take other packing materials like newspapers, too. Houston residents are allowed to use these facilities up to four times per month. You must show proof of Houston residency by bringing your photo I.D., as well as a utility bill or a lease agreement. Depository locations are typically open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.—but they ask that you arrive at least 30 minutes before closing to unload. You’ll find six neighborhood depositories and recycling centers in Houston, including locations at:
- 9003 N Main St
- 14400 Sommermeyer St
- 5565 Kirkpatrick Blvd
- 2240 Central St
- 5100 Sunbeam St
- 10785 SW Fwy
Neighborhood Recycling Drop-Off Locations
There are three drop-off recycling locations in Houston that accept cardboard moving boxes, in addition to other moving supplies like newspapers. All moving boxes must be empty and free of food residue before you drop them off at any of the following recycling drop-off locations in Houston:
- Kingwood Recycling Center at 3210 West Lake Houston Pkwy; open Saturdays & Sundays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Westpark Consumer Recycling Center at 5900 Westpark Dr; open Monday – Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Ellington Airport/Clear Lake Neighborhood Recycling Center at 246 Loop Rd; open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
LoadUp Junk Removal
LoadUp Junk Removal accepts cardboard moving boxes. They offer curbside pick-up services for a small upfront fee. Their hours are typically 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. LoadUp Junk Removal specializes in door-to-door service, but you can find their physical business location at 5708 White Magnolia St.
Houston Junk Hauling
Houston Junk Hauling accepts cardboard moving boxes for a small fee. Simply fill out the contact form on their website or give them a call for a free quote. Once they pick up your moving boxes, they’ll haul them to the recycling center for you. Their hours are typically Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m, and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Moving to Houston? Extra Space Storage offers a variety of moving boxes and supplies available for in-store pickup at storage facilities in Houston!
