There are so many reasons why you might want to know where to get free newspapers:
- You’re moving and need old newspapers to use as packing materials.
- You’re looking for coupons.
- You want some old newspapers for a gardening project.
- You’re looking for old newspapers for a craft project.
- You just want some free newspapers to read.
Whatever the case, we’ve got you covered. Just sit back while we unpack 20 super simple ways you can get your hands on newspapers at no cost!
Table of Contents
1. Craigslist
My first tip is super simple: check Craigslist. Honestly, Craigslist has just about everything for free!
To find free newspapers, go to the “For Sale” section of your city’s Craigslist. Under that, click on the “Free” section.
Then, simply type the word “newspaper” into the search bar and hit enter. You’ll be able to view any free newspapers that may be available locally.
2. Local Recycling Centers
Recycling centers receive a lot of used newspapers, making them the perfect place to score free papers. This is especially useful if you’re looking for free newspapers in bulk.
Call local recycling centers to ask if they have any papers they’d be willing to give you. Many will. However, others may charge a small fee.
3. Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities
Nursing homes and assisted living facilities sometimes have old papers. Simply call to ask; they’ll likely be happy for you to take these old papers off their hands!
4. Local Coffee Shops
Ask nearby coffee shops and cafés if they have any old papers you could take. They may be happy for you to take them for free.
5. Libraries
Local libraries often have lots of newspapers. Some subscribe to newspapers from around the globe. Library members can read newspapers for free, and once these papers are done with, they’re usually set aside for recycling. Contact your local library to ask if you could have these old papers. You may even be able to get free magazines from your local library as well.
6. Medical Clinics
Medical clinics may subscribe to newspapers for their patients to read in the waiting room. Ask at your local doctor’s office if they have any old newspapers that they’d be willing to give you.
7. Grocery Stores
Grocery stores sell newspapers and will often have old ones that don’t end up selling. You could take these old papers off their hands. Just contact nearby grocery stores to ask if they have any newspapers they no longer need that you could have for free.
8. Drugstores
Some drugstores sell newspapers. When they need to get rid of old ones, they may be willing to give them away. Just call to ask!
9. Dental Clinics
Much like medical clinics, dental clinics often have newspapers available in their waiting room for patients to read while they wait. Dental clinics have no use for their old papers, so they may give them to you for free. Simply get in touch with local dental clinics to see if they have any old newspapers that you could take off their hands.
10. Colleges and Schools
Some schools and colleges provide newspapers to their students in places like the library or the classroom. Once the school or college is done with them, they typically get thrown away. Ask if you could have these old papers. You could even offer a newspaper collection service at your local college. This is a great way to source free newspapers.
11. Gas Stations
Gas stations are another place that sells newspapers. They’ll have old ones that they no longer need. Ask if you can take some of these old papers for free. They might be happy to let you take them off their hands, saving them the trouble of recycling the papers themselves.
12. OfferUp
OfferUp isn’t just a place to buy and sell items; you can find freebies there too. There’s a free section you can browse to see if anyone is giving away newspapers. Or you can search the site for the term “newspaper.”
Then, filter the results by “Price: Low to High.” This will show you if there are any free newspapers available on the site.
13. Airports
Sometimes airports have free newspapers lying around that people can take. Often, it’s a local paper offered by the airline. Some airports will even have free magazines available.
This makes airports a good option for getting free newspapers. Convenience stores within the airport can also be a good place to source free papers. Just ask if you can have any of the old papers that they don’t sell.
14. Hotels
You might not consider it, but your local hotel can be a surprisingly good place to source free newspapers. Some hotels provide their guests with complimentary newspapers. When hotel guests check out, the hotels collect any leftover papers, and they’re basically done with them.
You may be able to get these free papers. Just get in touch to ask. I’d recommend calling larger hotels in your area for free papers.
15. Hospitals
Hospitals sometimes have old newspapers lying around that they want to get rid of. Contact your local hospital to ask if they have any free newspapers that they could give you.
16. Local Newspaper Offices
One of the best places to source both new and old newspapers is from the newspaper office itself. The circulation department at newspaper offices receives old papers, like previous editions, which news vendors were unable to sell.
Simply call up some local newspaper offices and ask if they’ll give you any of their old papers. Some offices might even throw in a current edition!
17. Family and Friends
Family and friends may have a few old copies that they no longer want. Most people simply toss their old papers.
Ask your family and friends if they have any old newspapers that you could have.
They may be kind enough to set aside their old papers for you. Then, you can collect these free newspapers from your friends and family. You get free papers, and your family and friends declutter their homes—so it’s a win-win.
18. Office Buildings
Office buildings can be a treasure trove for newspapers, both old and new. Some offices provide papers for their employees to read during breaks, while many workers buy their own papers and leave them at their desks rather than taking them home.
Of course, you can’t simply show up at offices and start taking any newspaper you find lying around. Make sure you ask first. You may be able to collect any old papers that are no longer wanted from office buildings.
19. Free Newspaper Boxes and Dispensers
In busy areas and business districts across the USA, you may see free newspaper boxes and dispensers. These provide current issues of some daily and weekly papers for free. You can take one copy of each newspaper or weekly from these boxes and dispensers. This can be an effective way to get newspapers for free.
20. Post a Classified Ad
Finally, a simple way to get your hands on papers at no cost is by posting an ad in the classifieds requesting free newspapers. If someone gets in touch, you can then arrange for collection or delivery of the papers. You could post a classified ad online on sites like Craigslist or in your local paper.
Wrapping Up: Where to Get Free Newspapers
Finding free newspapers is easier than you might think!
Whether it’s for use in the garden, for packing your stuff before moving, or for your latest craft project, the 20 methods listed above offer plenty of ways to get free newspapers.
