9 Best Places to Get Free & Cheap Moving Boxes in Lakeland, FL

Moving can be expensive, whether you're relocating across town or across the country. One of the easiest ways to cut costs and stay within your moving budget is by finding free or cheap moving boxes near you. If you're planning a move in Lakeland, here are some great places to find cardboard moving boxes for free or at a low cost.

Should You Buy or Get Free Moving Boxes?

When you start the process of moving, one of your first decisions will be whether you should buy new moving boxes or find used boxes for free. There are advantages and disadvantages to each.

If you buy new moving boxes, you can get consistent sizes and types of boxes, meaning they'll be uniform for easy stacking—plus, they'll be of good quality since they haven't been used before. It's also faster and more convenient to buy moving boxes than to search for free ones.

However, finding free moving boxes saves you money and is a more sustainable option, as you're reusing existing materials.

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Where to Get Free Moving Boxes in Lakeland

You can find free moving boxes in Lakeland, Florida via online exchanges, liquor stores, grocery stores, and other retail stores like pharmacies and bookstores. Check out the following places for free cardboard boxes, and be sure to call ahead to ask if they can hold them for you.

Online Exchanges in Lakeland

You can often find residents giving away moving boxes in Lakeland for free or for a small cost via online marketplaces and apps. Facebook Marketplace is a great local source, or you can join groups like Buy Nothing Lakeland (South Side), FL and Buy Nothing/Sell Nothing Lakeland. You can also check the NextDoor app, Freecycle, or Craigslist for residents who may have just finished moving and have boxes they need to get rid of. If you're meeting up with strangers to pick up boxes, just be sure to take proper safety precautions like bringing a friend with you or meeting in a public, well-lit place. Otherwise, consider posting to your own social media accounts to see if your friends and family have boxes they can save for you!

Liquor Stores in Lakeland

Liquor store boxes work well for moving since they're sturdy enough to safely transport fragile glass bottles. Some of these boxes may even come with dividers for added protection for fragile items like drinking glasses and wine glasses. Liquor stores in Lakeland generally operate from 7 a.m. to midnight most days, and noon to midnight on Sundays. Liquor stores in Lakeland that may have moving boxes include ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, My Town Liquor, and CPD Wine & Liquor—just be sure to call ahead and check before stopping by.

Grocery Stores in Lakeland

Grocery store boxes in Lakeland are another great option for moving boxes since they're usually sturdy and resistant to minor impacts. You'll need to check the boxes for food remnants, pests, stains, and structural damage before using them—and be wary of banana boxes, which have large holes and will not securely hold small items. Check with Lakeland grocery stores like Publix, Sam's Club, and Harveys Supermarket to see if they're willing to let you pick up free boxes from recent shipments.

Other Stores & Retailers in Lakeland

It's also worth checking with a few other retailers for moving boxes in Lakeland. Pharmacies like Walgreens often receive bulk shipments and may have sturdy boxes to spare. The Gordon Food Service—a restaurant supply market open to the public—handles large bulk orders, making it a great source for bigger boxes. And bookstores like Inklings Book Shoppe and Barnes & Noble receive shipments in sturdy cardboard boxes that are ideal for transporting heavy items.

Where to Buy Cheap Moving Boxes in Lakeland

You can buy cheap moving boxes in Lakeland at hardware stores, office supply stores, specialty box and container retailers, and self storage facilities. You can expect to pay anywhere from $1.08 for smaller moving boxes to $9.49 for larger boxes, though costs will vary by box type and retailer.

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

Walmart

With boxes as small as 17x11x12 for $1.08 or as large as 27x15x17 for $2.26, Walmart is a popular place to buy cheap moving supplies. There are two Walmart Supercenters in Lakeland where you can get moving boxes—as well as moving supplies like packing tape, bubble wrap, and packing paper.

Home Depot

You can find moving boxes in Lakeland ranging from 10x8x10 for $1.28 to 24x20x20 for $3.78 at Home Depot locations across the city. There are two Home Depot locations in Lakeland that sell moving boxes. Home Depot also sells other moving supplies like mattress bags, stretch wrap, packing paper, foam cushioning, and bubble wrap.

Lowe's

Lowe's locations offer moving boxes ranging from 15x10x12 at $1.98 to 22x21.5x22 at $3.78. Lowe's has two locations in Lakeland offering moving boxes, along with other moving supplies like packing paper, packing tape, moving straps, and moving blankets.

Office Depot

Office Depot sells moving boxes in Lakeland, with options ranging from 6x6x6 at $1.99 to 20x20x24 at $9.49. Office Depot has one Lakeland location offering moving boxes and other moving supplies, including packing tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, packing peanuts, stretch wrap, foam cushion, moving blankets, and packing labels.

Extra Space Storage

Stop by Extra Space Storage for affordable moving boxes in Lakeland, with available sizes ranging from 16.6x12.5x12.5 for $2.69 to 24x18x24 for $5.99. There are ten Extra Space Storage facilities in Lakeland selling moving boxes, plus other affordable moving supplies such as mattress covers, tie-down rope, dish protection kits, moving blankets, and furniture covers.

Where to Recycle Moving Boxes in Lakeland

Once you're done with your move, dispose of your boxes sustainably by recycling them. Lakeland has recycling services like Republic Services and AllAway Hauling & Junk Removal. Or you can resell or give your boxes away to someone else via platforms like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.

Republic Services

Republic Services provides scheduled curbside pickup services in Lakeland. Accepted materials include cardboard moving boxes, plus other moving supplies like packing paper. Make sure your recyclables are clean and dry, and place your cart at the curb for pickup on your scheduled collection day.

AllAway Hauling & Junk Removal

AllAway Hauling & Junk Removal offers recycling pickup for items like cardboard moving boxes, packing paper, plastic wrap, bubble wrap, and more. Prices start at $135, and normal business hours for calling and booking are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

GFL Environmental

GFL Environmental offers recycling pickup for cardboard boxes, plastic containers, packing paper, and other recyclables. There is also a GFL drop-off location in Plant City—about 20 minutes from Lakeland—at 402 N Frontage Road, with a minimum drop-off fee of $20. Typical facility hours are Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 6 a.m. to noon.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The best time to get free moving boxes in Lakeland from local stores is early morning to mid-morning. Midweek days—Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday—are generally your best bet, but any weekday in the morning should work well as long as you call ahead.

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

It is usually not legal to retrieve cardboard boxes in Lakeland from dumpsters or recycling bins, as most are located on private store property. Best practice is to call ahead and ask the in-store staff to hold boxes for you to come pick up during regular business hours.

Does Extra Space Storage sell moving boxes and supplies in Lakeland, FL?

Yes, Extra Space Storage facilities sell moving boxes and other moving supplies in Lakeland! Common supplies include furniture protection kits, packing tape and labels, and other items like moving blankets. Buying moving supplies at one of our facilities near you is a great way get high-quality packing materials at affordable prices.

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

Our Lakeland Extra Space Storage facilities offer several different moving box sizes that allow easy and efficient packing:

• Small Boxes (1.5 cu ft): Perfect for heavy items like tools, books, and some electronics.

• Medium Boxes (3 cu ft): Great for lighter, compact items like clothes, small appliances, or dishes.

• Large Boxes (4.5–6 cu ft): Best for light, bulky items like bedding or lampshades.

• Wardrobe Boxes: Sturdy, extra large boxes built to easily hang clothing for transport.

• File Boxes: Protective boxes for important documents and records.

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