9 Best Places to Get Free & Cheap Moving Boxes in Franklin, TN

Preparing for a move in Franklin, TN? No matter if you're relocating locally or across the country, moving costs can stack up quickly—especially if you're renting a moving truck or hiring professional movers. Looking for low-cost or free moving boxes near you can help you stay on budget. Here's your guide to finding free and cheap moving boxes in Franklin, TN!

Should You Buy or Get Free Moving Boxes?

Deciding whether to buy new boxes or track down free, used ones is one of the first steps in planning your move. Both options have upsides and downsides, so the right choice for you will depend on your budget, timeline, and priorities.

Purchasing new boxes tends to be the quickest option—ideal if you're moving in a hurry. New boxes are guaranteed to be clean, sturdy, and uniform, which can also make packing and loading the moving truck easier. Not to mention, you can buy box sizes and types suited to your specific needs.

Alternatively, taking the time to find used moving boxes near you is the more eco-friendly route, helping to reduce waste. It also saves you money, allowing you to allocate more of your funds to other moving needs.

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Wondering how many moving boxes you need? Get a quick, free estimate using our moving box calculator for box size and quantity recommendations, as well as packing supplies suggestions!

Where to Get Free Moving Boxes in Franklin

To find free moving boxes in Franklin, check out local grocery stores, liquor stores, and recycling centers—or browse online exchange groups. These are some of the best places to get free cardboard boxes near you!

Online Exchanges in Franklin

Online marketplaces can be helpful for finding free or low-cost moving supplies in Franklin. Browse through Facebook Marketplace, or join local groups like Buy Nothing East Franklin or Buy Nothing West Franklin—where locals often list boxes for free once they're done moving. You might also be able to find free and cheap moving boxes near you on platforms like Nextdoor, Craigslist, and Freecycle. For your safety, coordinate pickups in well-lit, public spaces and bring a friend along. Or, if you'd rather stay within your own network, use your social media to see if anyone you know has moving boxes to spare.

Liquor Stores in Franklin

Liquor store boxes are ideal for moving as they tend to be heavy-duty, and some even come with built-in dividers—perfect for packing glassware and other fragile items. Reach out to local liquor stores like Red Dog Wine & Spirits or Cool Springs Wine & Spirits to ask if they could set aside some boxes for you.

Grocery Stores in Franklin

Franklin grocery stores typically receive frequent shipments in sturdy boxes, so they may be willing to give some away for free. Call ahead to grocers near you like Publix, ALDI, or Trader Joe's, to see if they have any boxes available. Be sure to inspect all grocery store boxes for food residue, stains, and signs of pests. Additionally, be careful if you decide to use banana boxes, as they have large holes that could allow small items to fall out.

Recycling Centers & Dumpsters in Franklin

Many residents drop off used cardboard at dumpsters or recycling centers in Franklin, making them great places to check for boxes—though it's best to call ahead to confirm you're allowed to remove any you find. Select City of Franklin drop-off recycling locations and Williamson County Convenience Centers accept cardboard, so you might consider starting your search there. Ensure all boxes you take home are clean, structurally sound, and free of stains or evidence of pests. Additionally, note that these boxes may need to be reinforced with tape, as some recycling centers ask you to flatten them before drop off.

Other Stores & Retailers in Franklin

Other local stores that may offer free cardboard boxes for your upcoming move include bookstores, pet stores, coffee shops, and breweries. Contact local retailers like Landmark Booksellers, Petco, Hank's Coffee Station, and Curio Brewing Company to ask if they'd be willing to save some boxes for you.

Where to Buy Cheap Moving Boxes in Franklin

Big-box retailers, hardware stores, and self storage facilities are reliable sources for affordable moving boxes in Franklin. While costs vary based on box type and seller, prices typically range from $1.12 for small boxes to $5.99 for large boxes.

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

Walmart

Find moving boxes ranging in size from 17x11x12 for $1.12 to 27x15x17 for $2.26 at Walmart in Franklin. The city's single Walmart Supercenter on Mallory Ln provides affordable cardboard boxes, as well as packing essentials like bubble wrap, heavy-duty tape, packing paper, and more.

Home Depot

Home Depot offers sturdy cardboard boxes sized from 10x8x10 for $1.28 to 24x20x20 for $3.78. There is one Home Depot location in Franklin that sells boxes, along with moving supplies like lifting straps, moving blankets, and stretch wrap.

Lowe's

Buy boxes near you at Lowe's in Franklin, with options ranging from 16x12x12 for $1.85 to 22x21.5x22 for $3.85. In addition to affordable moving boxes, the city's single Lowe's location also carries packing supplies like tape dispensers, hand trucks, and furniture sliders.

Extra Space Storage

Purchase high-quality moving boxes at one of three Extra Space Storage locations in Franklin, offering sizes ranging from 16.6x12.5x12.5 for $2.69 to 24x18x24 for $5.99. You'll also find affordable moving essentials like tie-down rope, dish protection kits, mattress covers, and more.

Where to Recycle Moving Boxes in Franklin

Once you're finished unpacking, dispose of your boxes responsibly. Consider reselling your gently-used boxes online through Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Or take advantage of the convenient Franklin recycling centers below!

Williamson County Convenience Centers

Williamson County Convenience Centers accept cardboard, along with other moving supplies like paper. You must have a valid driver's license showing proof of residency to enter these recycling centers. Tie large loads down with a tarp if transporting them in a pickup truck or trailer, and ensure all cardboard is clean and flattened prior to arrival. Convenience centers are open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., including the following locations in Franklin:

• Southall Convenience Center at 1140 Mile End Rd

• Trinity Convenience Center at 3004 Wilson Pike

• Landfill Convenience Center at 5750 Pinewood Rd

• Hillsboro Convenience Center at 5406 Pinewood Rd

City of Franklin Drop-Off Recycling

The City of Franklin operates several drop-off recycling locations that accept cardboard. All boxes should be flattened and placed in the appropriate designated bin. There are five Franklin recycling sites that accept cardboard, which you can find at the following locations:

• Fieldstone Park at 1377 Hillsboro Rd

• Fire Station No. 6 at 1061 Cool Springs Blvd

• Fire Station No. 7 at 1972 John Fitzgerald Dr

• Fire Station No. 8 at 200 Front St

• BOPAE at 417 Century Ct

City of Franklin Blue Bin Curbside Recycling

The City of Franklin's Blue Bin curbside pickup program accepts cardboard, as well as other moving materials like newspaper. All cardboard should be broken down to fit into your bin. Be sure to place your bin on the curb no later than 7 a.m. on your designated collection day—leaving three to five feet between your blue bin and trash container—to ensure pickup. Residents can verify the pickup schedule online.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

You'll likely have the best luck getting free boxes from stores in the morning during the middle of the week, as stores have usually finished restocking their inventory by this time. However, it's always best to call ahead to confirm availability.

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

Taking boxes from dumpsters or recycling bins without permission is highly discouraged, as this can be considered trespassing on private property. The best way to avoid penalties is to call local businesses ahead of time and politely ask if they'd be willing to set aside some boxes for you to pick up.

Does Extra Space Storage sell moving boxes and supplies in Franklin, TN?

Extra Space Storage in Franklin sells high-quality cardboard boxes and other moving supplies near you, including packing tape, bubble wrap, tie-down rope, furniture covers, and more. Buying directly from a storage facility is a great way to get durable packing materials for your upcoming move.

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

To accommodate your unique needs, Extra Space Storage facilities in Franklin offer a variety of box sizes, including:

• Small Boxes (1.5 cu ft): Great for compact, heavy items like books, tools, and canned goods.

• Medium Boxes (3 cu ft): Ideal for toys, decor, and kitchenware.

• Large Boxes (4.5–6 cu ft): Best for bedding, pillows, and other large, lightweight belongings.

• Wardrobe Boxes: Built for hanging clothes to prevent wrinkles.

• File Boxes: Designed to keep important paperwork and records orderly and secure.

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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 Franklin! And find more moving resources on our moving hub!