How to find Free Boxes in Portland
Kayl Enders/ Moving Fellows, LLC
Last Updated: April 25, 2023
#1 Get Free Boxes when you purchase a Packing Service.
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#2 Use any of these other sources for Free Boxes:
Craigslist
Use this link for Portland area: Craigslist.com
On any given day, there are dozens of people in the City of Portland giving away free boxes. After searching "free boxes" in the craigslist search box the other day in January 2017, I found 44 up-to-date listings related to free boxes in Portland, OR. The thing is, it's pretty common people place after moving that people will have leftover boxes. Typically they will just pile them in their garage. The key is to find these people before they give away all their boxes, or worse, throw them away.
One really good strategy is to set an automated alert and email notification. You will need to create a free Craigslist account first. After you type "free boxes", click "Save Search".
Cash & Carry
1825 NW 19th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
There are five large bins with hundreds of unflattened boxes. The bins are adjacent to the front door under the covered entrance area. We spoke with Shawn, assistant manager, and learned we could pick them up as long as we parked in an appropriate parking place, and took less than 25 boxes at a time. Keep in mind customers of the store use the boxes to pack their groceries in. If you are on the premise you should consider making a purchase - that would be the respectful thing to do. The boxes are under the covered roof in bins.
Ross Dress for Less
8815 SW Cascade Ave, Beaverton, OR 97008
This location usually has a lot of boxes that are accessible from the backside of the building. The boxes usually have been flattened and come in decent sizes. You might also have better luck going at times after new shipments. Wednesdays at 9 pm is a good time from our experience. On the NW corner (yellow dot) of the store there is a dumpster with flattened boxes.
Hollywood Beverage
3028 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97232
Liquor stores are some of the best stores to go to for boxes because the boxes are solid, ideal for moving, and there are so many of them. Hollywood Beverage store is a go-to place for these free boxes. They have a new shipment come in typically on Wednesdays at 1:30 pm. The boxes will always be at the loading dock on the backside of the building to the garage. Also, be sure to go buy a 'brown bottle' or local or imported spirits, because they are the best in town.
Carton Service
2211 NW Front Ave, Portland, OR 97209