9 Best Places to Get Free & Cheap Moving Boxes in Salt Lake City

Whether you're moving out of Salt Lake City or just relocating across town, you'll need boxes to pack for your move. Getting free or cheap boxes in Salt Lake City is a smart way to cut moving costs—check out our guide for finding used and new moving boxes in SLC!

Should You Buy or Get Free Moving Boxes?

Whether you're moving by yourself or moving with your kids, you'll need to decide between buying new boxes or finding free, gently used ones. Each option has its own advantages when packing boxes for a move, so choose whichever route makes the most sense for your needs.

Buying new moving boxes allows you to get the exact sizes you want for your possessions—particularly for things like artwork and lamps that are more difficult to pack. They'll also stack easily, and you can label boxes consistently, making loading your moving truck simpler. Additionally, it's typically faster and easier to buy new boxes rather than hunting down used ones—and you'll know for sure that they're in good condition. You may even be able to easily buy moving supplies like packing tape from the same stores!

On the other hand, finding free Salt Lake City moving boxes is a great way to save money and cut down on unexpected moving costs. Collecting free boxes is also more sustainable, and if they're in decent shape, you can sell or donate your boxes to another person when you're done.

Find How Many Moving Boxes You Need 📦

Get quick recommendations for moving boxes and packing supplies with our moving supplies calculator! Fill out a few details about your move, and we’ll provide a free estimate for how many moving boxes you’ll need, along with supplies like packing tape, bubble pack, and more!

Where to Get Free Moving Boxes in Salt Lake City

There's a variety of places where you can get free moving boxes in Salt Lake City—including through online exchanges, grocery stores, liquor stores, and recycling centers. Here are some of the best places to find free boxes in SLC.

Online Exchanges in Salt Lake City

Online marketplaces and apps provide a convenient way to find cardboard boxes in Salt Lake City at low or no cost. Connect with locals giving away boxes via KSL Broadcasting's free boxes page, Salt Lake City's Facebook Marketplace, or Facebook groups like Salt Lake Area Give/Trade/Pay it Forward and Buy Nothing Salt Lake County. Additionally, look at the "free stuff" section of Craigslist and your specific area's Nextdoor page. You can also check with nationwide options like FreeCycle and OfferUp that allow you to search in your area. When organizing meetups with strangers, remember to take safety precautions such as meeting in a public area during daylight hours, bringing someone with you, and telling another trusted person where you're going!

Liquor Stores & Breweries in Salt Lake City

Whether you drink or not, liquor store boxes are great for moving—they're usually reinforced to hold heavy bottles, which makes them ideal for packing fragile belongings like china and dishes. Some may even come with dividers that work perfectly for packing glassware! Start by checking with one of the many UDABS (Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services) stores around the city, which have been known to give away free boxes. Other places that may have boxes for your move include the Red Rock Brewing Beer Store, Epic Brewing Company, Wasatch Brew Pub, and Squatters Pub Brewery. Many liquor stores close early in the evening, so be sure to check hours before arriving.

Grocery Stores in Salt Lake City

Grocery stores are another great option for finding moving boxes in Salt Lake City, as these boxes tend to be sturdy and resistant to minor impacts. Before taking any boxes home, check for food remnants, stains, signs of pests, and structural damage. You'll also want to be mindful when packing grocery store boxes, since some—like banana boxes—have holes in the sides where smaller items could slip through. Local grocery stores like Caputo's and Japan Sage Market may have boxes to give away, but it's best to call ahead to check availability. Larger stores like Harmons, Smith's, Walmart, and Target frequently restock at night, so try calling near closing time to ask if they can set boxes aside for you.

Recycling Centers & Dumpsters in Salt Lake City

Some recycling centers and drop-off locations allow you to take cardboard boxes to reuse for your move, but it's always best to call and confirm first! The Salt Lake Valley Landfill offers recycling drop-off services, as well as a reuse center where residents can pick up discarded items for free. You can also look for boxes at Rocky Mountain Recycling Services—which has one location in SLC and another in nearby South Salt Lake—or at Ace Recycling & Disposal, just a short drive away in West Valley City. When picking up recycled boxes, examine them for stains, pests, or any structural damage. Since these boxes are usually broken down, you'll likely need to reassemble and reinforce them with tape before packing.

Other Stores & Retailers in Salt Lake City

Boxes from various types of retailers can be helpful when moving—especially if you consider what the box originally held when deciding how to pack. In Salt Lake City, gaming stores like Game Night Games, Oasis Games, and World's Game Store often have boxes made to hold lots small or delicate items—making them ideal for packing collectibles and keepsakes! McDonald's is another place you may be able to find sturdy moving boxes in SLC, since their boxes typically hold bagged items and are less likely to have grease or odors. Major retailers normally restock several times a week, so you might also have luck finding boxes at places like Walgreens, Best Buy, and Dollar Tree.

Where to Buy Cheap Moving Boxes in Salt Lake City

You can buy boxes in Salt Lake City at self storage facilities, home improvement stores, moving companies, and more. Prices for cardboard moving boxes in SLC typically range from $1.28 to $5.99, depending on the size, type, and seller. Here are the top places to buy cheap boxes in the city!

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

Home Depot

Find boxes in sizes from 15x10x12 for $1.28 to 24x20x21 for $3.78 at Home Depot in Salt Lake City. There are three Home Depot locations in Salt Lake City that sell moving boxes, along with other moving supplies like dish boxes, moving blankets, and hand trucks.

Moving Connections

Purchase moving boxes ranging from 16.4x12.6x12.6 for $1.70 to 24x18x24 for $3.75 at Moving Connections in Salt Lake City. There is one SLC Moving Connections location that sells moving boxes and various moving supplies—including quilted pads, dust covers, and dollies.

Extra Space Storage

You can buy moving boxes in sizes from 16.6x12.5x12.5 for $2.69 to 24x18x24 for $5.99 at Extra Space Storage in SLC, with five locations in the city! Extra Space Storage also sells other packing and moving supplies like file boxes, sofa covers, tape guns, and glass protection kits.

Utah Box Rental

If you don't want to use cardboard boxes, you can rent sturdy plastic totes in bundles at Utah Box Rental in Salt Lake City. The smallest bundle is 20 boxes at $35.34 for one week, while the largest bundle is 100 boxes at $148.20 for one week. Utah Box Rental has one location in Salt Lake City that offers box rentals. They also sell moving supplies like box labels, mattress bags, and zip ties.

Where to Recycle Moving Boxes in Salt Lake City

Once you've moved into your new home, clear away your used boxes by recycling them or passing them along. You can offer them to friends and family, resell or donate them on platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Nextdoor, or drop them off at a local recycling facility.

Salt Lake Valley Landfill

Salt Lake Valley Landfill accepts cardboard moving boxes for residential recycling. Their hours are typically Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Find Salt Lake Valley Landfill located at 6030 W California Ave.

Rocky Mountain Recycling Services

Rocky Mountain Recycling Services accepts cardboard moving boxes at its two locations, plus other moving supplies like packing paper. Both facilities are open seven days a week. Stop by from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 2950 W 900 S in Salt Lake City or from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 3110 S 900 W in nearby South Salt Lake.

Ace Recycling & Disposal

Ace Recycling & Disposal accepts cardboard moving boxes, plus other moving supplies like packing paper and newsprint. Their hours are typically 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 5 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays. Find Ace Recycling & Disposal at 2274 South Technology Drive in nearby West Valley City.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Early morning is the best time to ask for free moving boxes in Salt Lake City, UT, as stores restock overnight and sort boxes before opening. Mid-week is often ideal for finding clean, sturdy cardboard boxes before recycling crews arrive.

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

Taking boxes from dumpsters in Salt Lake City without permission isn’t advised, as dumpsters are usually private property. Instead, ask store associates to save boxes for you, or search neighborhood forums for free or cheap moving boxes.

Does Extra Space Storage sell moving boxes and supplies in Salt Lake City, UT?

Yes! Extra Space Storage facilities in Salt Lake City sell moving boxes, tape, protective materials, and other supplies to help make packing simple and secure. Purchasing on-site ensures professional-grade quality and convenience.

What moving box sizes are available at Extra Space Storage in Salt Lake City?

Extra Space Storage in Salt Lake City offers a variety of moving box sizes, including:

• Small Boxes (1.5 cu ft): For dense or heavy items like books, fragile items, or kitchen goods.

• Medium Boxes (3 cu ft): For clothing, dishes, or toys.

• Large Boxes (4.5-6 cu ft): For lightweight pillows, blankets, and soft stuffed toys.

• Wardrobe Boxes: For hanging clothing and coats.

• File Boxes: Designed to keep paperwork, files, and important documents secure and organized.

These sizes help you stay organized and protect your items during your Salt Lake City move.

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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 Salt Lake City!