Preparing for a move in San Jose? Whether you’re moving a short distance or relocating across the country, moving expenses can add up quickly—but saving on moving supplies is a great way to cut costs. Here’s where to look for free or cheap moving boxes in San Jose, CA!
As you prepare to move, you’ll need to decide whether you want to search for free moving boxes or purchase new ones. Each option comes with benefits and drawbacks depending on your preferences and priorities.
In addition to being sturdy and higher quality, new moving boxes offer uniformity, which can make them easier to pack and stack. You can also choose specific sizes and types of boxes to fit your particular needs. Plus, it’s typically quicker and easier to find new boxes than hunt down free, used ones—which is especially important if you’re moving on short notice!
On the other hand, if you’re moving on a tight budget or prioritizing sustainability, finding used moving boxes may be the better choice. Not only is this option better for the planet, but it also allows you to keep more money in your pocket or allocate it to other parts of your move.
There are a variety of places in San Jose where you can find moving boxes for free, including online exchanges, grocery stores, recycling centers, and more. These are some great spots to check for free cardboard boxes near you.
Start your search for free San Jose boxes by looking online! Reach out to friends and family on your personal social media to ask if they’d be willing to give you any boxes they receive from online orders. Search for listings of free or low-cost moving boxes through online marketplaces and apps like Nextdoor San Jose, Freecycle San Jose, and Craigslist San Jose. Browse through posts on Facebook Marketplace San Jose, or request to join Facebook groups—like Buy Nothing San Jose Area or City of San Jose Buy Nothing Project—where local residents can offer up free boxes. Or check out the San Jose U-Haul Box Exchange to see if there are any available boxes in your area. Just remember to exercise caution when arranging meet-ups through online platforms—choose a well-lit, public space and consider bringing a friend along for safety.
Liquor stores often receive shipments in heavy-duty cardboard boxes, which makes them a great resource for finding free moving boxes in San Jose! Liquor store boxes may also come with built-in dividers, which can help you safely pack wine glasses, vases, and other fragile items. Call San Jose liquor stores near you like Total Wine & More, Kelly’s Liquor Store, Don’s Liquors & Wine, BevMo!, and BOOZE WORLD to see if they’d be willing to give you any boxes.
When searching for free San Jose moving boxes, grocery stores are another great place to check. Grocery store boxes tend to be sturdy and resistant to minor impacts, making them ideal options for your upcoming move. Contact stores like Trader Joe’s, Zanotto’s Markets, iTaiwan Foods, Safeway, or Lucky to see if they have any boxes available. Before using them for your move, be sure to check all boxes for food debris, stains, and evidence of pests. Additionally, be mindful that certain grocery store boxes—such as banana boxes—may have large holes that are unable to securely hold your items.
San Jose recycling centers may have cardboard boxes available for free, but you should always call ahead to ask for permission to take them home. Contact recycling centers such as Danny Recycling Inc. or Greif Recycling San Jose to ask if they’d be willing to give away any recycled cardboard boxes. Because recycling centers often require boxes to be broken down, remember that you might need to tape them back up for added reinforcement. It’s also important to check that these boxes are structurally sound and free of stains or evidence of pests.
For more ideas on where to find free moving boxes in San Jose, consider other stores and retailers near you that receive shipments in varying box sizes. For instance, check with music stores like The Starving Musician, bike shops like Summit Bicycles, Mike’s Bikes of San Jose, or San Jose Bicycles, and bookstores like Barnes & Noble, Recycle Bookstore, or Kinokuniya Bookstore. Or contact major retailers like Old Navy and T.J. Maxx to see if they have any cardboard boxes you could drop by to pick up.
You can purchase cheap moving boxes in San Jose at hardware stores, office supply chains, nearby storage facilities, and more. Find small moving boxes in San Jose starting as low as $1.00 and large boxes selling for $7.10 or less.
Please note that listed dimensions for boxes with precise measurements are rounded to the nearest tenth.
Find cardboard boxes for sale ranging from 17x11x13 for $1.00 to 24x16x19 for $2.10 at Walmart in San Jose. There are five Walmart locations in San Jose where you can buy moving boxes, along with additional moving supplies like furniture covers, foam wrap sheets, packing tape, and packing bags.
Browse cardboard boxes in sizes ranging from 15x10x12 at $1.28 to 24x20x21 at $3.68 at Home Depot in San Jose. There are five Home Depot locations in San Jose that sell moving boxes, as well as dollies, furniture sliders, stretch wrap, label makers, and other moving supplies.
Lowe’s offers moving boxes in San Jose sized from 16x12x12 at $1.75 to 22×21.5×22 at $3.75. There are two Lowe’s locations in San Jose that sell cardboard boxes. Lowe’s also provides other moving supplies in San Jose, including packing paper, moving straps, bungee cords, and more.
Buy affordable moving boxes ranging from 16.6×12.5×12.5 for $2.69 to 24x18x24 for $5.99 at one of six Extra Space Storage locations in San Jose. Extra Space Storage also sells high-quality moving supplies like bubble wrap, dish protection kits, tie down products, newsprint, and more.
Purchase cardboard moving boxes in sizes ranging from 16.5×12.5×12.5 at $2.85 to 22x22x22 at $7.10 at Arrow Packaging, Inc. in San Jose. There is one Arrow Packaging, Inc. location in the city, and it also sells other San Jose packing supplies—like newsprint, furniture pads, dish packs, and more.
After you finish unpacking and organizing your new home, be sure to get rid of your moving boxes in an eco-friendly manner! Consider selling or giving them away via Craigslist, Nextdoor, or Facebook Marketplace. Or swing by one of the recycling centers in San Jose to drop off your cardboard boxes.
Danny Recycling Inc. is located just a few minutes outside of San Jose and accepts cardboard that’s free of wax. Simply follow their instructions to properly sort your items into bins before having them weighed by an employee. Their drop-off hours are typically Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. They ask that you arrive at least 15-20 minutes prior to closing so they have enough time to process your materials. Find Danny Recycling Inc. at 1745 Walsh Ave, Santa Clara, CA.
Greif Recycling San Jose accepts cardboard moving boxes, as well as paper and select plastics. Their hours are typically Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Greif Recycling San Jose is located at 388 E Alma Ave.
San Jose Recycles—the San Jose recycling curbside pick-up program—accepts clean cardboard moving boxes, plus plastic, newspaper, and other moving supplies. The City of San Jose asks that you flatten and cut your cardboard so it fits within your bin. If you run out of space in your bin, you can cut your cardboard into smaller pieces (no larger than 4×4) and lean them against the side of your bin. Note that you must set your recycling out no later than 6 a.m. on your designated collection day and no earlier than the day before.
***
Getting ready to move? Extra Space Storage offers a variety of moving boxes and supplies available for in-store pickup at storage facilities in San Jose!
Thinking about renting storage for the summer? Whether you’re storing seasonal gear, protecting items sensitive…
Creating a list of your self storage items is beneficial for both home and business…
Trailer and motorhome sizes often vary due to their make, model, and year of manufacture.…
When renting a storage unit, one of the first choices you’ll need to make is…
At Extra Space Storage, we know our success is driven by the dedicated individuals who…
At Extra Space Storage, we know our success is driven by the dedicated individuals who…
This website uses cookies.
