Moving isn’t cheap!
If you have ever moved, you know that.
One of the easiest and most efficient ways to save money on your move is to get your packing supplies for free.
Bubble wrap will keep your fragile items safe during transport and avoid anything breaking. So, it really is an important packing material.
Although it’s important, you don’t want to spend your hard-earned cash on bubble wrap you’re likely not going to use again.
Thankfully, you can get free bubble wrap, meaning you can keep your items safe and intact, without cutting into your budget.
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Where to Find Free Bubble Wrap
Bubble wrap helps to keep your items safe when moving.
Here’s where you can get free bubble wrap.
1. Craigslist
For free stuff, Craigslist is an excellent resource. Peruse the site and you may be able to find people giving away bubble wrap near you.
There’s a free section on the site, which you can find by going to your city’s Craigslist and then going to the “For Sale” section. Under that, click on “Free”, and then you’ll be able to search for free bubble wrap near you.
- Browse Craigslist for free bubble wrap here.
2. Your workplace
Your workplace could be a good place to source some bubble wrap.
Ask your manager if they have any bubble wrap that you could have.
Many workplaces have bubble wrap that comes in with shipments, so this can be a good way to get some free packing supplies. Just ask your manager to set some aside for you. Your workplace can be a good resource for free bubble wrap.
3. Facebook Marketplace
Although known as a site where you can buy and sell stuff locally, Facebook Marketplace also has a section for free stuff.
Search the free section and you may be able to find people giving away bubble wrap. Enter the term “bubble wrap” into the search bar, and you may be able to find some free bubble wrap.
- Browse Facebook Marketplace here.
4. Recycling centers
You may be able to find some bubble wrap at your local recycling center.
Sometimes the bubble wrap you get from recycling centers is torn, but it can still be used for cushioning or as a space filler inside cardboard boxes provided that the air-filled bubbles are intact.
Get in touch with local recycling centers to see if they have any bubble wrap available that you can have for free. You may be able to get other free packing materials there too, like moving boxes.
5. Freecycle
Freecycle is a website where people can give stuff away and get stuff for free. You may be able to find some free bubble wrap on the site.
- Browse Freecycle here.
6. Arts and craft stores
Arts and craft stores can be an excellent place to source free bubble wrap.
Contact places like Jo-Ann Fabrics, Hobby Lobby, Michaels, and any other arts and craft stores near you to see if they have any free bubble wrap available.
You could score some other packing supplies, like free moving boxes.
7. Furniture and home décor stores
Call local furniture stores to ask if they have any bubble wrap that they don’t need. You may be able to get your hands on some bubble wrap for free.
8. Electronics stores
Since electronic devices are fragile, many shipments to electronics stores contain bubble wrap to protect items.
Contact electronics stores in your area to ask if they have any bubble wrap available that you could take off their hands.
9. Friends and family
Friends and family members may be able to help you out with some free bubble wrap. Simply ask them if they have any bubble wrap that they’re not going to use.
They may have some bubble wrap that they’d be happy to give to you for free.
10. Large supermarkets like Walmart and Target
Large supermarkets like Walmart and Target get lots of shipments, many of which contain bubble wrap.
You could ask at large supermarkets near you, such as your local Walmart store or your local Target store whether they have any bubble wrap you could have for free. You may also be able to get other packing materials from local supermarkets.
Wrap It Up: Where to Score Free Bubble Wrap!
Getting free bubble wrap is easier than you think. You just need to know where to look.
Since it may take some time to find and actually receive them, you just have to make sure to start looking for them way before your actual moving date.
And one last tip, don’t skimp on using bubble wrap! Put enough of this air-filled material in your boxes to actually protect your valuable breakables. You don’t want your breakable to end up…well, broken because you were too cheap to use enough of the free bubble wrap you fund!
