9 Best Places to Get Free & Cheap Moving Boxes in Auburn, AL

Moving in Auburn, AL? Whether you’re a college student moving between semesters, moving a short distance to a new Auburn neighborhood, or relocating across the country—saving money wherever you can makes a difference. One of the easiest ways to cut down on moving costs is to find free or cheap moving boxes. Use our guide to find affordable or free moving boxes in Auburn today!

Should You Buy or Get Free Moving Boxes?

As you plan and prepare for your move, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether to buy new supplies or search for free used moving boxes. Each option comes with its own set of benefits and considerations, and the right choice often depends on your budget, timeline, and the type of move you’re planning.

One of the biggest benefits of buying new moving boxes in Auburn is that they’re uniform, making them easier to stack, label, and pack into a moving truck. New moving boxes are guaranteed to be of good quality, which can help give you peace of mind when moving a long distance. It's also more convenient to buy all your moving boxes from one store compared to hunting down free moving supplies from different locations.

If you're moving on a budget, finding moving boxes for free will free up money for packing supplies like tape and other household essentials. Sourcing used cardboard boxes in Auburn is a more sustainable choice, as reusing boxes helps reduce cardboard waste and minimizes the environmental impact of your move.

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Where to Get Free Moving Boxes in Auburn

If you’re looking to source free moving boxes in Auburn, start with local businesses and your local community network. Grocery stores, liquor stores, coffee shops, and retail stores regularly receive shipments in quality cardboard boxes, and online exchange platforms make it easy to find free moving supplies from other Auburn residents.

Online Exchanges in Auburn

An easy way to source free moving boxes in Auburn is to look through several different online marketplaces for supplies being offered at little to no cost. Consider asking your personal network and expanding out to several different groups. Some online marketplaces that could help your search for free Auburn moving boxes include Facebook Marketplace, community- based, members-only groups like Auburn Buy/Sell Trade, or Buy Nothing Auburn, AL. Other platforms include the free section on the Auburn Craigslist and Nextdoor, where you can get moving boxes for cheap or no cost. To help maximize your safety when you meet someone online for free moving supplies, ensure that it's during the day, in a public setting, and bring a friend with you to the meetup. Or reach out to friends and family to see if they have any boxes they're willing to part with.

Liquor Stores in Auburn

Liquor stores are another place to potentially get moving boxes in Auburn for free! Used cardboard boxes from liquor stores are designed to be sturdy and durable to hold products while in transit, making them a great option to hold your things on the move to your new home. This can help give you peace of mind when packing fragile items like dishes or china. Some liquor store boxes even come with built-in dividers that are perfect for packing away wine glasses. Contact local liquor stores like Charred Oak Premium Spirits, Eagles Liquor, and Tiger Spirits Liquor to see if they would be able to spare any used boxes for your move.

Grocery Stores in Auburn

Used Auburn cardboard boxes from grocery stores are built to be sturdy and resistant to minor impacts, making them a great option for moving boxes. Make sure to check any grocery store boxes for food remnants, stains, and signs of pests that could potentially damage your belongings. Additionally, be mindful of using banana boxes since smaller items might fall out of the large holes built into the box. Contact local Auburn grocery stores like Kroger, Publix, and the Walmart Neighborhood Market to see if they could set aside some used boxes for you to pick up.

Recycling Centers & Dumpsters in Auburn

A local Auburn recycling center may occasionally let you take cardboard boxes for free, though availability isn’t always guaranteed—so it’s best to call ahead and ask. Some local recycling drop-off sites to check for used boxes include the City of Auburn Recycling Drop-off Center and two Recycling Convenience Centers in nearby Opelika. Before taking any used moving boxes, inspect them for stains, moisture damage, or signs of pests. Make sure the boxes are still structurally sound and sturdy enough to hold your belongings. Since some people break down their boxes before recycling them, you’ll likely need to reassemble and reinforce them with packing tape before using them for your move.

Other Stores & Retailers in Auburn

While looking for used Auburn moving boxes, don't forget to check out other retail stores like coffee shops, hobby stores, pet stores, and bookstores. These types of retail locations receive regular inventory shipments in cardboard boxes, so they may be able to set some aside or give you extras they haven’t thrown away. Stores in Auburn, like Pet Supplies Plus, Auburn Oil Co. Booksellers, TBitty & Beau's Coffee, and more, may be able to offer you used cardboard boxes for moving. We recommend calling these businesses ahead of time to ask if they have any boxes for moving to give away to you.

Where to Buy Cheap Moving Boxes in Auburn

There are several places to buy cheap moving boxes in Auburn, including national retail stores, home improvement chains, office supply stores, self-storage facilities, and more. Box prices in Auburn typically start at around $1.08 for small moving boxes and can go up to approximately $5.99 for larger or specialty boxes, depending on the retailer and box size.

Please note that the listed dimensions for boxes with precise measurements are rounded to the nearest tenth.

Walmart

Purchase moving boxes that range in size from 17x11x12 at $1.08 to 27x 15x17 for $2.26 at Walmart in Auburn. One Walmart location in Auburn sells moving boxes. Walmart also sells moving supplies, packing tape, bubble cushions, and packing paper.

Lowe's

At Lowe's in the Auburn area, you can purchase moving boxes ranging from 16x 12x12 at $1.85 to 22x21.5x22 for $3.85. There is one Lowe's location in the Auburn, AL area that sells moving boxes. Lowe's also sells moving blankets, packing paper, moving straps, and more.

Target

You can purchase moving boxes ranging from 16x 12x12 for $1.99 to 24x16x19 for $3.99 At Target in Auburn. There is one Target location in the Auburn, AL area that sells moving boxes. Target also sells moving supplies like bubble wrap, packing paper, and packing tape.

Ace Hardware

Find Aubrun moving boxes ranging from 10.5x12x12 for $2.59 to 18x24x24 for $7.99 at Ace Hardware store in Auburn. There is one Ace Hardware location in Auburn that sells moving boxes. Ace Hardware sells other moving supplies like lifting straps, bubble wrap, moving blankets, and more.

Extra Space Storage

Browse moving boxes sized 16.6x12.5x12.5 at $2.69 to 24x18x24 at $5.99 at Extra Space Storage in locations in Auburn. There are five Extra Space Storage locations in Auburn that sell moving boxes. Extra Space Storage also sells other moving supplies like protection kits, storage bags, bubble wrap, and more.

Where to Recycle Moving Boxes in Auburn

Once you start unpacking your new home, you can recycle your moving boxes instead of throwing them into the trash. Auburn has recycling facilities, like the City of Auburn Recycling Drop-off Center or the City of Opelika Recycling Convenience Centers. Or, donate your boxes to the Goodwill Donation Center, Salvation Army, or Lifesavers Mission Thrift. You can also resell your moving boxes online on Auburn Buy/Sell Trade, or Buy Nothing Auburn, AL.

The City of Auburn Recycling Drop-Off Center

City of Auburn Recycling Drop-off Center accepts cardboard moving boxes, plus other moving supplies like packing paper, newspaper, and more. The center is open 24 hours a day, year-round, and doesn't charge a fee for dropping off materials. Due to construction, the Recycling Drop-off Center has temporarily relocated to 640 Mary Brooks Drive.

Recycling Convenience Centers

The City of Opelika, approximately a 15-minute drive from Auburn, offers two Recycling Convenience Centers to drop off recyclable moving materials like cardboard or packing paper. Call the City of Opelika ahead of time to inquire about potential drop-off fees. Here are the hours and locations for the two Opelika drop-off locations:

• 8th Avenue Center:

  600 8th Avenue. They are typically open 24 hours a day from 8 a.m. on Fridays to 8 a.m. on Tuesdays.

• Jeter Avenue Center:

  675 Jeter Avenue. Their hours are typically 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Curbside Recycling

The City of Auburn offers curbside recycling pickup for materials like used cardboard, moving boxes, and other paper materials. Your recycling will be picked up on the same day as waste collection, and it's recommended to leave your bins out the night before or no later than 6 a.m. the day of your pickup. Call the city of Auburn for any additional curbside recycling information and to ensure you know which day of the week is your collection day.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time and day to get free boxes from stores?

Weekday mornings are the best time to get free boxes in Auburn from stores. A lot of local retailers tend to restock early in the morning before opening, giving you the best chance to grab free cardboard boxes before they're thrown away for recycling.

Can I legally retrieve boxes from store dumpsters or the recycling bin?

It may not be legal to retrieve boxes and other trash in Auburn, as many dumpsters are on private property. The best way to get free used boxes is to ask store clerks if they have extras or look for free box listings on local community forums.

Does Extra Space Storage sell moving boxes and supplies in Auburn, AL?

Extra Space Storage locations in Auburn do sell moving boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and other packing essentials to help make your move easier.

What moving box sizes are available at Extra Space Storage in Auburn?

Extra Space Storage in Auburn offers several box sizes for packing efficiently:

• Small Boxes (1.5 cu ft):

  Best for heavy or compact items like tools or books.

• Medium Boxes (3 cu ft):

  Best for kitchen supplies, toys, and household goods.

• Large Boxes (4.5–6 cu ft):

  Best for bedding, clothing, or bulky soft items.

• Wardrobe Boxes:

  Best for hanging and protecting garments.

• File Boxes:

  Best for paperwork, records, and important documents.

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Getting ready to move? Extra Space Storage offers a variety of moving boxes and supplies available for in-store pickup at storage facilities in Auburn! And find more moving resources on our moving hub!