Wooden crates, juts like wooden pallets, can be used for storage, DIY projects, home décor and much more.
But can you get wooden crates for free?
Short answer: Yes, just like you can get those plastic milk crates for free, you can get free wooden crates from many places near you including local grocery stores, liquor stores, garden centers, hardware stores and other small businesses, as well as at places like construction sites and recycling centers. And all you have to do is ask. Free crates can also be found listed on sites like Craigslist and Freecycle.
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Where to Get Free Wooden Crates Near Me
Below, you’ll find a list of local businesses you should contact for crates and a few online resources where you can find crates as well.
Stores where you can get wooden crates for free
You can get free crates from stores, because many retailers get their stock in wooden crates and pallets.
When it comes to getting free crates, avoid major retailers.
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Large businesses usually work with companies who collect crates, pallets, and other materials for them. Generally, a third-party company will come at scheduled intervals to collect and dispose of the waste. Some retailers reuse crates too.
If you are looking for free wooden crates, it’s small, local businesses you should contact.
Many small businesses simply don’t have the budget for a hauling company, or the time or resources to get rid of their crates, meaning they just end up in the dumpster.
So, small businesses can be a great place to source crates.
Here are some places where you can get free wooden crates near you:
1. Grocery stores
Most grocery stores have stock delivered in crates, such as vegetables and fruits. Some grocery stores may be willing to give these wooden crates away for free. Like I said before, avoid major retailers like Walmart, who reuse their crates and pallets in warehousing and shipping.
Instead, independent and mom and pop style stores are the best option. Many of these stores have to pay a fee to have their old crates hauled away. So, it’s likely they’d be happy for you to take them off their hands instead. The grocery store can be a good way to get wooden fruit crates for free.
Just call your local grocery stores and ask a manager if you could have some of their unwanted crates.
2. Liquor stores
Liquor stores often have crates, since liquor, like wine, is transported and stored in wooden crates. The liquor store can be a good place to get wooden wine crates for free. Just get in touch with local liquor stores to ask.
3. Hardware stores
Hardware stores use wooden pallets or crates. You could get in touch with local, independently owned hardware stores and ask if they have any pallets, they’d be willing to give to you. You could contact the big-box chains too, but it’s better to start with smaller, locally owned hardware stores first.
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4. Pet stores
Many pet stores receive shipments in pallets or crates. Since many pet stores handle dry goods, this can be a good way to get free wooden crates or pallets that are in good condition.
5. Clothing stores
Some clothing stores may get their shipments in crates or pallets, and they might have some to offer you for free. Get in touch to enquire.
6. Furniture stores
Some furniture stores get deliveries in crates or on pallets, and since furniture falls into the dry goods category, this is a good place to source clean, dry crates and pallets.
Again, simply ask the store owner if they have any unwanted pallets you could take.
7. Garden centers
Another option you can try to find free crates and pallets is your local garden center. Many garden centers and nurseries get products on pallets and in crates. And, they may be willing to let you take them for free, as it saves the garden center or nursery having to pay for their disposal.
You can contact local garden centers and nurseries to ask if they have any crates or pallets that they’d be willing to give to you.
8. Video game stores
Video game stores get inventory in wooden pallets or crates. So, your local video game store may be a good place to source them for free.
Simply call your local video game store to see if they have any wooden crates that they’d be willing to give to you.
Other Places to Get Free Wooden Crates
There are places other than the retail stores mentioned above where you can source crates for free near you.
Here are some more places to get crates locally.
9. Newspaper companies
Newspaper companies often get shipments in crates and may have some that they’d be willing to give to you. This can be a good way to get your hands on clean, stain-free crates. Just get in touch to ask.
10. Construction sites
Construction sites often have materials delivered in wooden shipping containers. This can be a good way to get crates for free. Just ask! To find sites near you, open up Google and enter the term “construction companies [name of your city, town, or state]”. This should give you a list of places you can contact.
11. Schools
Schools have things like books, paper, and other supplies delivered in crates or on pallets. Get in touch with local schools to see if they have any crates or pallets that they’d be willing to give you.
12. Recycling centers
If you have a recycling center nearby, then you may be able to get some free wooden crates from there.
Although the crates and pallets you find at recycling centers may not be in the best shape, if you are going for a vintage or reclaimed look or are planning to disassemble them to use the component pieces, then they could be ideal for you.
To find a center near you, open up Google and enter the term “recycling center near me.” This should give you a list of nearby centers that you can contact. Just ask if they have any crates that they’d be willing to give to you.
How to Find Free Wooden Crates Online
The internet is also a great place to source crates. You can find people giving away all sorts of freebies online. This is a good way to find people who might be giving away crates for free near you.
Here’s how you can find wooden crates for free online:
13. Browse Freecycle
Another option is to have a look on Freecycle. It’s a website where people can give away and receive the items they need. It’s a great concept. You can find people offering a variety of different items for free, so you may be able to find wooden crates for free on there.
14. Browse Craigslist
Another website you can check for free wooden crates is Craigslist. I’ve mentioned how Craigslist is great for free stuff lots of times before. On there, you can find people giving away a whole host of items for free.
You may be able to find people giving away free wooden pallets on Craigslist.
To find free stuff on Craigslist, go to the “Free” section, which can be found under the “For Sale” section of your city’s Craigslist.
Then, you’ll be taken to the “Free” section where you’ll find people giving away lots of free items. You can filter the results by searching for the item you want. So, enter “wooden crates” into the search bar, and then you’ll be able to see if anyone’s giving away crates for free near you.
Make sure to take safety precautions when meeting someone from Craigslist. Arrange the pickup at a public place and take someone with you to the meeting if you can. And, let someone else know about the meetup.
15. Put an ad online
Browsing the listings on Freecycle and Craigslist is a good idea, but, you might want to consider posting an ad online too.
You can place a listing on Craigslist asking for free wooden crates. You can also post a request for wooden creates on Facebook.
This can be a good way to source some free wooden crates or pallets. Social media sties in general are a good place to enquire about freebies!
So, consider placing an ad that says you’re looking for free crates.
Final Thoughts on Getting Free Wooden Crates
You can get free wooden crates from small retailers, like local grocery stores, and clothing stores. Other places to get them include construction sites, schools, and recycling centers.
And as always, internet is also a great source for finding freebies, so make sure you look for free wooden crates on websites like Craigslist and Freecycle.
Also, please leave a comment below if you know of any other place or way to get wooden crates for free.