Updated: May 05, 2025
Just wrapped up a move and now surrounded by piles of cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, or packing peanuts? You’re not alone — and you’re in the right spot. Many people in Raleigh deal with the same situation after unpacking: figuring out what to do with all those packing materials.
Instead of throwing everything away, there are better, more eco-friendly ways to manage it. Whether you want to recycle packing materials in Raleigh or give away gently used supplies, this guide shares local, easy options that help both you and the community.
From city recycling centers to donation groups that support your neighbors, Raleigh has plenty of ways to cut down on waste and make moving cleanup simpler. Here’s how you can help the environment — and clear out your home faster.
Key Takeaways
- Raleigh residents can recycle clean, flattened cardboard and paper through curbside pickup or drop-off centers.
- Plastic film and bubble wrap aren’t accepted in home recycling bins but can be dropped off at stores like Target or Harris Teeter.
- Foam peanuts and Styrofoam aren’t recyclable curbside but can often be donated to shipping stores or reuse centers.
- Used moving boxes, bubble wrap, and supplies can be given away through Facebook, Buy Nothing groups, or Freecycle Raleigh.
- Retail stores and Wake County facilities offer drop-off options for recycling or reuse of many packing materials.
- Eco-friendly moving options include renting plastic bins or using household items like towels and laundry baskets for packing.
- Donate only clean, dry, and reusable items — and always label clearly if giving away online.
Why recycle or give away packing materials
After moving, you want to get rid of leftover boxes, bubble wrap and Styrofoam as soon as possible. But if you just throw it all away, the trash will grow - both in your home and in Raleigh landfills. Recycling or donating packaging is an easy way to make your move cleaner and help others.
Every year, tons of cardboard and plastic end up in landfills after moves. If you choose to recycle or donate your leftovers instead of throwing them away, it will help reduce trash and support local eco-initiatives. And your boxes or bubble wrap can still be useful to someone else - and that benefits everyone.
Even small steps like recycling packaging can help you do something good without a lot of effort.
What you can recycle or give away after moving
There's usually all sorts of packaging left over after a move - some can be recycled, some can be given to others, and some is worth keeping for reuse. Here's what you can do in Raleigh:
♻️ What to recycle
- Cardboard boxes: Clean and folded boxes are accepted at Wake County recycling centers and trash pickup in Raleigh. It is important that boxes are dry and free of food residue.
- Paper Packaging/Kraft Paper: Clear paper without tape or plastic inserts can be discarded in your regular recycling container.
- Plastic film and stretch wrap: You don't put this kind of film in your home container, but stores like Harris Teeter and Target have special garbage cans to collect it.
🚚 What's best to donate or reuse
- Bubble wrap: You don't want to send it in the trash. You can give it away through Facebook groups, the Buy Nothing Project, or to reuse stores. It is also sometimes accepted at UPS and FedEx.
- Packing peanuts: They are not usually recycled. But clean and dry peanuts can be taken to delivery stores like UPS Stores or donated through online groups.
- Foam sheets and regular Styrofoam: In Raleigh, Styrofoam is not recycled, but if it's clean and in good shape, it can be given to packaging centers or for creative arts.
✅ What else can be donated
- Used boxes, tape dispensers, plastic containers: If the packaging is still in good condition, it can be donated through classifieds or social media. These things often find new owners, especially during moving seasons.
Where to Recycle Packing Materials in Raleigh
Raleigh makes it pretty simple to recycle leftover packing supplies after a move — if you know where to go and what’s accepted. Whether you have stacks of cardboard boxes or plastic wrap from furniture, here’s where you can take it locally.
🏠 Curbside Recycling (City of Raleigh Residents)
Raleigh’s curbside program takes several common packing items:
• Accepted: Flattened cardboard boxes, paper packing materials, and clean, dry paperboard.
• Not accepted: Bubble wrap, packing peanuts, foam, plastic bags, or film.
Website: https://raleighnc.gov/landfill-and-reuse/services/recycling-residents
Tips: Break down your boxes, remove tape if you can, and don’t pack items inside each other. Place everything loose in the bin — skip the plastic bags.
🏢 Wake County Recycling Drop-Off Centers
For bigger loads or items not picked up curbside, Wake County has several drop-off sites around Raleigh:
Accepted Materials:
- Flattened cardboard
- Paper paddingo
Some centers may take clean Styrofoam blocks (check the rules at each location)
Not Accepted:
- Bubble wrap
- Plastic film
- Foam peanuts
Popular Locations:
- North Wake Multi-Material Facility – 9029 Deponie Dr, Raleigh, NC 27614
- South Wake Multi-Material Facility – 6130 Old Smithfield Rd, Apex, NC 27539
Multi-Material Recycling Facilities
🛍️ Retail Drop-Off Locations for Plastic Film & Bubble Wrap
Some materials — like stretch film, bubble wrap, and air pillows — can’t go in your bin but are accepted by many stores:
- Accepted: Clean, dry plastic film, grocery bags, bubble wrap, air pillows
- Where to Go:
- Harris Teeter
- Lowe’s
- Target
- The UPS Store (at some locations)
Look for special bins for plastic film near store entrances or at customer service counters.
⚠️ A Note on Styrofoam & Foam Peanuts
Raleigh’s curbside program doesn’t take foam peanuts or Styrofoam. Instead:
- Donate clean foam peanuts to local shipping stores (call ahead to make sure they accept them).
- Recycle clean Styrofoam at special events or drop-offs (Wake County sometimes hosts these — check their updates).
Where to Donate Packing Materials in Raleigh
Not everything needs to be recycled — many packing materials can be reused by someone else getting ready for a move. If your boxes, bubble wrap, or other supplies are still in good shape, there are lots of ways to donate them around Raleigh and help cut down on waste.
🤝 Community Sharing Platforms
- Facebook Marketplace / Local Buy Nothing Groups
Neighborhood Buy Nothing groups in Raleigh are a quick way to give away moving supplies. Just post a picture and a short description — most items get picked up fast.
- Craigslist Free Section. Post your supplies in the “Free” section of Raleigh’s Craigslist. List exactly what you’re offering (like 10 boxes, clean bubble wrap) so people know what to expect.
- Freecycle Raleigh. An online site where people give away reusable items. Great for sharing clean foam, paper padding, and boxes.
🏢 Nonprofits & Local Donation Centers
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore (Wake County Locations). Some ReStores accept gently used moving boxes, especially larger sizes. Call ahead to check what your nearest location is taking. These supplies can help with donations or resale.
- Durham Rescue Mission or Local Charities. Not every donation center will take moving supplies, but some may accept bins, totes, or clean shipping materials. Always a good idea to call first and ask.
📦 Shipping Stores & Moving Companies
- The UPS Store / Local Mail Centers. Some stores accept clean bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and foam for reuse. They may also want small, sturdy boxes.
- Independent Moving Companies in Raleigh. Some movers in Raleigh are happy to take reusable boxes, wardrobe boxes, or extra tape dispensers for their customers. A quick call can save your supplies from going to waste.
✅ Donation Tips
- Only donate items that are clean, dry, and still usable.
- Break down boxes and group similar items together.
- Label what’s included, especially for anything you post online.
- Be honest about the condition — people appreciate knowing what they’re getting.
Green Moving: How to Make Things Easier and Cleaner
During a move, more trash is usually collected than planned - boxes, plastic wrap and more. But if you think things through ahead of time, moving to Raleigh can go a lot greener. Here are some simple ideas on how to pack up your belongings and leave behind minimal waste.
♻️ Rent Plastic Bins
There's no point in splurging on buying a bunch of cardboard boxes when you can rent convenient plastic bins from companies like BungoBox Raleigh or Rent A Green Box. They'll be delivered right to your home and picked up after the move. It's more convenient, less trash, and often cheaper than buying new boxes.
🌱 Eco-friendly packing materials
If you need extra packaging, choose materials that decompose quickly. For example, packing peanuts made from cornstarch, recycled kraft paper, shredded paper or film made from plant-based ingredients. These are easy to buy - online or at packaging stores. Things will be protected and there will be less waste.
🧺 Use what you have at home
Saving money is even easier - pack with what you already have on hand. Towels, blankets and clothes will do the trick to protect fragile items. Suitcases and laundry baskets will help to transport a variety of things. Even old newspapers and bags will be useful for packing and filling voids, reducing waste and saving your budget.
Final Thoughts: Small Efforts, Big Impact
Moving can be hectic, but what you do afterward — with all the boxes, bubble wrap, and leftover supplies — can really make a difference. Whether you recycle packing materials in Raleigh through curbside pickup or local drop-off spots, or donate extra moving supplies to someone else, every small action helps.
Raleigh has plenty of local options that make moving more sustainable and easy. By reusing, donating, or recycling, you're cutting down on waste and helping to create a more connected, eco-friendly community.
As you settle into your new place, take a few minutes to handle your packing materials the right way. You’ll tidy up your space, help a neighbor, and support a greener Raleigh — all at once.