New moving boxes add up quickly, and you do not have to buy all of them. With a little effort, you can find plenty of free boxes around Richmond, if you know where to look and which ones to skip. This guide covers the best sources, what makes a box worth taking, the ones to avoid and how to recycle your boxes when the move is over.
Updated November 2026.
Where to Find Free Moving Boxes in Richmond
1. Local Stores
Grocery, liquor and big-box stores get shipments in sturdy cardboard every day and often throw it out. Ask a manager when they unpack deliveries, and go early in the week, in the morning, when boxes are freshest. Liquor store boxes are often the best, because they are built to carry heavy glass and sometimes have dividers.
2. U-Haul’s Take a Box, Leave a Box
U-Haul locations keep a “Take a Box, Leave a Box” station where people leave reusable boxes for others, and U-Haul’s online box exchange connects people who have extra boxes with people who need them. Availability varies by location, so call ahead before you drive over.
3. Local Free Groups
People who have just moved often give away boxes. Check the Richmond Freecycle group, Trash Nothing’s Richmond listings, neighborhood groups on Facebook and Nextdoor, and Facebook Marketplace. Search for “moving boxes” and arrange a pickup.
4. Friends, Family and Coworkers
Ask anyone who has moved recently. They often have a garage full of boxes, packing paper and bubble wrap.
5. Your Workplace
Offices receive supplies in boxes all the time. Ask whether you can take the ones that would otherwise go in the recycling.
6. Local Bookstores and Libraries
Bookstores receive books in sturdy cartons that are the perfect size for the heavy stuff. Ask before you take any.
7. Neighbors During Move-Out Season
Boxes are often easy to find around college move-out dates and the busy summer months, when lots of people are packing and unpacking. Ask neighbors who are moving in or out.
8. Cavalier Moving
If you would rather not hunt for boxes, we can provide packing supplies such as moving boxes, stretch and bubble wrap, packing tape, specialty boxes and permanent markers. See our loading and packing help.
What Makes a Good Free Box
- Sturdy corrugated cardboard: thick walls that do not bend easily.
- Clean and dry: no stains, moisture or mildew.
- Intact: flaps and corners are not torn, and the bottom is solid.
- Uniform sizes: boxes that stack neatly are easier to load and carry.
- Right size for the contents: small boxes for heavy items such as books, larger boxes for light items such as linens.
Boxes to Avoid
- Wet, stained or moldy boxes: they are weak and can spread mildew.
- Boxes that held food or chemicals: they can leave odors, residue or attract pests.
- Thin or crushed boxes: they will collapse under weight.
- Boxes that look infested: check for droppings, insects or webbing, especially boxes from a garage, basement or storage unit.
- Oversized boxes for heavy items: they are easy to overload and hard to lift.
When It Is Worth Buying Boxes
Free boxes are fine for most things, but buying makes sense for some items. Dishes and glassware, mirrors, TVs and artwork need specialty boxes or strong, uniform cartons. See our guides to packing dishes and glasses, packing a TV and moving a large mirror. For paid options, read cheap moving supplies and boxes.
Tips for Using Free Boxes
- Collect more than you think you need, and expect to pick up extra along the way.
- Reinforce the bottoms with tape in an H pattern.
- Keep weights reasonable, especially for used boxes. Our dos and don’ts of packing has more detail.
- Label every box with the room and a note on the contents.
- Declutter first: The fewer things you move, the fewer boxes you need. See what to do with stuff you can’t take when moving.
Recycling Your Boxes After the Move
Once you have unpacked, do not let the boxes pile up. The Central Virginia Waste Management Authority (CVWMA) asks that boxes be clean, dry, empty and flattened, and placed in your recycling container, not beside it or on top. In the City of Richmond, recycling goes in your 95-gallon cart on the Blue or Red week for your address, and cardboard can also be dropped off at the East Richmond Road Convenience Center. Henrico collects cardboard curbside on a red or blue week schedule, and Chesterfield residents can use the county’s convenience centers. Check the CVWMA drop-off recycling page for current locations and hours. Better yet, pass your good boxes on to the next person who is moving.
Packing all those boxes is only part of the job. Compare moving costs in our Richmond moving cost breakdown, and if you want help with the heavy lifting, see labor-only movers in Richmond.
Ready for a straight answer on your move? Call Cavalier Moving at (804) 404-8048 or request a free estimate. We are open 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get free moving boxes in Richmond, VA?
Try local grocery and liquor stores, U-Haul’s Take a Box, Leave a Box station and online box exchange, the Richmond Freecycle group, Facebook Marketplace and Nextdoor, and friends and coworkers who have moved recently.
Are free moving boxes safe to use?
Yes, if they are sturdy, clean and dry. Avoid wet, moldy or stained boxes and boxes that held food or chemicals, and check them for pests.
Does U-Haul give away free boxes?
U-Haul locations have a Take a Box, Leave a Box station for reusable boxes, and its online box exchange lists free or discounted boxes. Availability varies by location, so call ahead.
How many boxes do I need to move?
It depends on how much you own. A good approach is to pack one room at a time and count as you go, then add a few extra. Decluttering first reduces the number.
How do I recycle moving boxes in Richmond?
Flatten them, keep them clean and dry, and put them in your recycling cart. The City of Richmond also accepts cardboard at the East Richmond Road Convenience Center. Check CVWMA for current locations.