Save Money on Moving Boxes and Supplies in Edmonton

Moving and storage in Edmonton don’t have to break the bank with these tips on scoring free or discounted moving boxes and supplies for your next move.

Moving and storage Edmonton can get expensive fast, especially when you factor in purchasing all the necessary boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and other packaging materials. 

However, with a bit of planning and resourcefulness, you can source quality moving supplies in Edmonton for free or very cheap. 

This guide covers clever ways to secure complimentary moving boxes and supplies from local businesses and recommendations on the most budget-friendly places to shop in Edmonton.

Buy Used Moving Boxes

One of the easiest ways to save money on moving boxes is to source used ones for free from local stores and businesses. Many receive frequent shipments in quality cardboard boxes and are happy to give them away after unpacking stock. 

Here are some top spots in Edmonton to pick up used moving boxes for free:

• Grocery stores: Staples like Superstore, Safeway, and Save-On-Foods receive deliveries of produce and other perishables in sturdy cardboard boxes sized 18 x 18 x 18 inches or larger. Don’t expect any uniformity – each box will be a different size.
• Big box retailers: Walmart, Best Buy, and Costco have lots of used appliances, electronics, and multipack beverage boxes perfect for heavy items like books and kitchenware. Box dimensions are commonly 24 x 24 x 24 inches.
• Liquor stores: Wine and spirit boxes used for transporting bottles are very sturdy. They contain dividers too, handy for protecting fragile possessions. Popular shops to visit include Wine and Beyond, Solo Liquor, and Aurora Spirits.
• Bakeries: Bakers receive baking ingredients and bakeware in boxes built to handle weighty contents without denting. Local favorite Duchess Bake Shop is one option.
• Moving companies: Believe it or not, even moving companies amass surplus used boxes. Big companies like AMJ Campbell, Crown Moving & Storage, and Two Small Men consistently have secondhand boxes available in Edmonton. It never hurts to call and kindly ask if they have any moving boxes to spare for your upcoming relocation.

Scoring used moving boxes is an eco-friendly practice too – you reduce landfill waste by reusing discarded cardboard shipping boxes. Just inspect boxes carefully for wear and tear issues like tears or molded wet spots before packing valuables.

Buy Cheap Moving Boxes and Supplies

In addition to scouting free used moving boxes, you can also shop smart for new moving supplies on a budget:

• U-Haul – U-Haul Moving & Storage of Edmonton East has one of the best selections of affordable moving boxes, supplies, and shipping services in the city. TheirSetName® and U-BoxTM lines feature quality moving boxes at penny-pinching prices. Other items like tape, packing paper, mattress bags, utility dollies, and much more are also very reasonably priced.
• Home Depot – Both Home Depot locations in Edmonton stock budget Wardrobe Boxes, Book Boxes, Dish Pack Boxes, and Picture Frame boxes for under $2 per box. Plus, they regularly run sales on moving essentials like bubble wrap and tape.
• Lowe’s – Similar to Home Depot, Lowe’s carries inexpensive medium and large cardboard moving boxes for less than $2 each. Their 12-pack small moving boxes with handles are only $10. Find them plus tape, stretch wrap, furniture pads, box cutters, and zip ties in-store at affordable rates.
• Canadian Tire – Canadian Tire doesn’t specialize in moving boxes, but they have a decent assortment of the lowest-priced small, medium, large, and extra-large boxes in Edmonton, often priced below $1 per box. Their plastic bin transport boxes are handy too. Expect to pay a little more for specialty wardrobe and picture frame boxes though.
• Dollarama – Dollarama surprisingly stocks a variety of low-cost moving boxes sized 18 x 18 x 16 inches or 12 x 12 x 12 inches in 2-packs and 5-packs. They also sell tape, bubble wrap, newsprint, and other packing items on the cheap. Just don’t expect to find all sizes or huge quantities in stock.
• Princess Auto – Princess Auto offers storage/moving combo packs containing small and medium cardboard boxes plus stretch wrap, tape, and a marker for less than $10. Or source cheap large picture frames, wardrobes, appliances, and standard cardboard moving boxes here individually.

Shopping for moving supplies at these discount-friendly stores ensures you get the lowest prices in Edmonton. Just be aware that inexpensive moving boxes are flimsier than premium options, so take extra precautions like double boxing when packing heavy items.

Ask Friends for Used Moving Boxes

Post on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Nextdoor asking if anyone in your local Edmonton networks has leftover moving boxes or packing supplies they’d like to get rid of from a recent move or decluttering project. 

Chances are good a neighbor, relative, or old classmate has a few spare moving boxes cluttering up their basement, garage, or storage room that they’d gladly give you for free.

Also, proactively offer up any still-sturdy moving boxes and supplies friends and family could reuse for future moves after you unpack in your new home. Pay the favor forward!

Use Alternative Containers for Packing

If buying new moving boxes or sourcing used ones isn’t feasible, don’t panic. You can repurpose all sorts of everyday household items as improvised moving containers for temporary transport to your new Edmonton address:

• Plastic storage bins and containers
• Laundry baskets or hampers
• Backpacks and reusable shopping bags
• Clean garbage cans and pails
• Pet carriers
• Coolers
• Suitcases and duffel bags
• Wooden or metal toolboxes
• 5-gallon buckets
• Dish packs
• Cardboard banker’s boxes
• Bookshelves, cabinets, or drawers – load packed loosely and strap parts together

Anything that safely keeps items contained during local moving could work for certain possessions. Label repurposed vessels clearly with their contents and your name/moving date details so nothing gets lost or separated.