Where to Get Free Wooden Crates Near You: 23 Legit Places (2025)

No thanks!

The good news?

You don’t have to pay a dime.

Free wooden crates are often sitting right in your own neighborhood. Sometimes all it takes is a polite ask. You can even find them online.

Businesses discard these crates daily. To them, it’s just industrial waste. To you, it’s free building materials, furniture, or décor.

In this guide, I’ll show you exactly where to find free wooden crates, and how to do it safely.

WARNING: Do Not Poison Yourself (The Stamp Check)

Industrial wood shipping crates are not the same as the pine boards you buy at the store.

Some of them travel internationally, which means regulators spray them with heavy-duty chemicals to kill bugs.

You do not want those chemicals off-gassing in your living room.

Before you take a crate, check for the ISPM 15 Mark burned into the wood.

Here is your cheat sheet:

• HT (Heat Treated): SAFE.  They baked the wood to kill pests. This is what you want.
• KD (Kiln Dried): SAFE. Moisture removed to prevent rot.
• MB (Methyl Bromide): DANGER. This is a neurotoxin pesticide. Do not sand, burn, or touch. Walk away.

Where to Get Free Wooden Crates Near Me

Focus on small, locally owned shops, they don’t use hauling companies, and most will gladly hand over crates instead of paying someone to dispose of them.

1. Grocery Stores

Independent grocery stores get tons of produce delivered in wooden fruit crates. Many of these end up in the back room or the dumpster, making them one of the best places to find free crates.

If you need help finding smaller shops, here’s a list of cheap grocery stores near me.

• Tip: Call early in the morning before their dumpster run. That’s when they usually sort boxes, crates, and pallets.

2. Local Independent Liquor Stores

Forget the big chains like Total Wine, they usually have corporate recycling contracts. Go to the independent liquor shop on the corner.

Expensive wine from Europe arrives in sturdy wooden wine crates to prevent breakage. These boxes usually have cool branding burned into the side, making them perfect for storage.

Ask for damaged or single-use crates, which usually get tossed first.

• Tip: Buy a bottle of something cheap first. Then ask the owner if they have any empty crates in the back room. Since you are a paying customer, they are much more likely to say yes.

3. Hardware Stores

Small hardware shops get tools and bulk shipments in a mix of crates and pallets.

Often, you can grab both if you ask politely.

4. Pet Stores

Pet shops often receive dry food, bedding, or supplies shipped in large wooden crates.

Local stores are your best bet since corporate chains may have hauling contracts.

5. Clothing Boutiques

Small fashion boutiques sometimes receive display items or bulk shipments in wooden crates.

Extras often get tossed and are usually clean and lightweight.

6. Furniture Stores

Furniture stores get heavier items in sturdy shipping crates, some of the best quality crates you can find for free.

• Find local options: discount furniture stores near me.

7. Garden Centers & Nurseries

Nurseries and garden centers receive plants, soil, and pots in pallets and crates, sometimes dozens a week.

• Tip: Ask about unsellable or broken crates; they often set those aside for disposal and won’t mind giving them away.

8. Nearby Orchards and Farm Stands

If you want that rustic farmhouse look, go to the source.

During harvest season (late Summer to Fall), orchards are drowning in vintage apple crates and fruit bushel boxes. If a crate gets a crack, it becomes trash to them.

Offer to take the “broken” ones off their hands. A little wood glue is usually all it takes to fix them up for home use.

9. Video Game Stores

Video game shops get inventory in smaller wooden crates or reinforced shipping boxes.

Call and ask about delivery days to find out when crates are available.

10. Tile & Flooring Shops

Cardboard boxes crumble under the weight of marble and slate.

Flooring stores get their inventory in wooden packing crates reinforced with metal strapping.

This is heavy-duty stuff, designed to hold hundreds of pounds without buckling. These are incredible for building garage storage.

11. Motorcycle & Power Sports Dealers

This is a secret goldmine most DIYers miss.

Have you ever wondered how a Kawasaki motorcycle gets from Japan to the US? It comes in a massive reinforced crate.

Once the mechanics unbox the bike, they have a huge pile of lumber to dispose of. These frames use long, strong cuts of timber (basically free 2x4s).

Drive your truck around back during business hours and ask the Service Manager if you can haul them away.

Other Local Places That Give Away Crates

Beyond retail stores, local spots often have piles of crates they need gone.

12. Newspaper Companies

Shipments of inserts, booklets, and paper stock come in wooden crates.

These are usually dry, clean, and in great condition. Call the front desk to see if extras are available.

13. New Construction Sites

Stop driving by that new subdivision being built. Pull over (safely).

Windows, custom cabinetry, and expensive fixtures arrive in protective wood encasing. The crews usually toss these in the debris pile.

• How to Ask: Don’t just take from the dumpster. Find the foreman. Say, “I can save you some dumpster space if you let me haul those window crates away.” You are offering them free waste removal.

14. Schools and Universities

Bulk shipments of books, supplies, and equipment often come in crates. Call the administrative or custodial offices to see if extras are available.

15. Local Recycling Centers

Recycling centers have all kinds of wood materials. Crates here may be rough, but they’re perfect for reclaimed or DIY projects.

• Tip: Ask if you can access the scrap wood or “wood pile” area; many centers allow picking through it for free.

Little-Known Spots for Free Wooden Crates

If you’ve already checked the usual grocery stores and hardware shops, it’s time to get a bit creative. These hidden sources often have crates they need to get rid of, and most people don’t think to look here.

16. Wedding Rental Companies

Event rental companies regularly use wooden crates for floral arrangements, centerpieces, and décor storage.

After a wedding or event, many of these crates are left behind or considered surplus. Call local rental shops and ask if they have any extras they’d like to give away.

17. Breweries and Distilleries

Breweries often receive shipments of bottles and barrels in sturdy wooden crates.

After tours, tastings, or seasonal events, some crates may become surplus.

Reach out to your local breweries,  they’re usually happy to have someone take them off their hands.

18. Hospital & Pharmacy Supply Deliveries

Hospitals and pharmacies get bulk shipments of supplies in sturdy wooden crates.

Once the contents are unpacked, the crates usually go straight to disposal.

A polite call to the supply or shipping department can score you high-quality crates that few DIY guides ever mention.

19. Corporate Office Furniture & Electronics Unboxing

Large tech stores and corporate office suppliers usually replace display units seasonally.

Crates from desks, chairs, and electronics are stored in the back or discarded.

Contact the store’s stockroom manager, they’ll often give them away to save space.

20. Seasonal Event & Expo Companies

Floral, holiday, and trade show companies use crates for temporary displays.

After events, many of these crates are left unused or thrown out.

Reach out after big local expos, fairs, or wedding shows, they’re usually happy to have someone pick them up.

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:

21. Freecycle

Freecycle is a network where everything is free. People post wooden fruit crates, wine crates, pallet crates, and more.

To search, go to Freecycle, enter your city, and use keywords like “wooden crate,” “fruit crate,” or “wine crate.” Set alerts to get notified when new posts appear.

22. Craigslist (Free Section)

Craigslist has a huge “Free” section with crates, pallets, and other materials.

It’s a great place to find new and used wooden crates for free.

Search terms: “wood crate,” “wooden crate,” “wine crate,” “produce crate,” or “pallet crate.” Check often, listings move quickly.

By the way, you can get a ton of other freebies on Craigslist. Read my Craigslist free stuff guide.

• Safety tip: Meet in public places or bring a friend when picking up crates from private homes.

23. Post Your Own Wanted Ad

If you’re not finding crates, post a “wanted” ad on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or local Facebook groups.

Sample script:

“Hi! I’m looking for any unwanted wooden crates (fruit crates, wine crates, shipping crates, pallet crates, etc.). Happy to pick up today. If you have some you’re planning to toss, I’d really appreciate it!”

Tips for Asking (So You Don’t Get Turned Down)

Here are a few tips that can help you get those wooden crates.

• Go in the morning: That’s when shipments arrive and the crates haven’t been stacked or tossed yet. You’ll have the best pick.
• Keep it simple: Just be friendly and straight to the point. Try something like, “Hey! Do you have any wooden crates from recent shipments you’re getting rid of? I can pick them up today.”
• Offer to haul it all: Stores love it when you take their junk off their hands. Say yes to the rough or extra crates too, they won’t mind.
• Bring gloves and a ride: Crates can be dusty and splintery. Make sure you’ve got room in your car or truck.
• Optional bonus: Offer to take pallets too. Most shops will really appreciate that extra help.

What to Check Before You Take a Crate

Before you take the stuff, make sure to check them.

You don’t want to end up just picking up some trash that you now have to get rid of, lol.

• Wood condition: Look for mold, big stains, rot, or cracks. If it’s falling apart, leave it.
• Treatment type: Heat-treated (HT) or kiln-dried (KD) crates are usually safe. Steer clear of anything with heavy chemicals like methyl bromide (MB).
• Indoor use warning signs: Watch out for sharp splinters, lots of dirt, or strong chemical smells—these are no-go for your home.
• Food safety: Don’t use crates that held pesticides or other chemicals if you want to store food in them

What Can You Do With Free Wooden Crates?

So you’ve got a bunch of free wooden crates, now what?

Here are some easy, creative ideas:

• Storage solutions: Use crates to organize books, toys, craft supplies, or even kitchen items. Perfect for small-space storage or garage organization.
• Gardening projects: Turn crates into planters, raised garden beds, or herb boxes. Wooden crates make great rustic container gardens.
• DIY furniture: Stack or customize crates into coffee tables, benches, nightstands, or even a small bookshelf. Upcycling crates saves money and adds character to your home.
• Wall shelves & display units: Mount crates on walls for unique shelving. Great for displaying books, collectibles, or plants while keeping your space tidy.
• Rustic gift boxes & décor: Use crates as charming gift packaging, wedding décor, or seasonal display boxes. They’re perfect for farmhouse-style or DIY décor projects.

With a few free wooden crates, you can create upcycled furniture, rustic shelving, or even free wooden planters for your garden, all without spending a dime on lumber.

FAQ: Free Wooden Crates

Wrapping Up: The Easiest Way to Get Free Wooden Crates Near You

You aren’t begging. You are upcycling.

That’s the mindset you need to have. Whether you call a motorcycle shop or chat up the manager at the liquor store, approach it as a trade.

They get rid of their trash for free; you get building materials for free.

Start with independent local shops. Avoid the massive chains. Check your stamps to avoid the toxic chemicals.

If you follow this guide, you won’t just find wooden crates for free; you’ll probably end up with more lumber than you have room to store.

Now go make something cool.