William LipovskyWhether you need old newspaper copies for reading or you want them in bulk for things like packing or gardening, there are plenty of places where you can get newspapers for free. While the age of the newspaper doesn’t matter when you’re using it for things like packing or gardening, there are several places where you can find current copies — even from the previous day — either individually or in bulk. If there is not a bulk provider of old newspapers in your area, you can collect copies from several different locations until you have what you need for your project. Below, we have more information about where you can typically get newspapers for free.
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Where to Get Free Newspapers
To find free newspapers, you can start by searching for locations that get dozens of newspaper issues delivered every day. Often, unsold editions are thrown out or recycled at the end of the day, and you may find locations willing to give you unsold copies for free. Some places will only have a few daily papers, while others may have old newspapers in bulk.
Packing paper costs around $10 to $15 for 200 sheets at places like The Home Depot and U-Haul,[1][2] so finding newspapers in bulk may be worth the effort to save money during a move. (Additionally, if you’re looking for free cardboard boxes, see our lists of places where you can find free cardboard and free shoeboxes.)
Availability will vary based on the business or organization, your local newspaper distributor, as well as the varying demand for any particular day’s paper. Below, we list the best places to start your search for free newspapers, ordered starting with the most accessible options:
Neighbors, Friends, or Local Community
- Bulk or daily papers? Both
- More information: If any of your neighbors, friends, colleagues, or relatives have a newspaper subscription or receive unwanted advertising mailers, you can ask them to hold onto the papers for you rather than recycling them after reading.
- If no one you know has newspapers to offer, try posting on a community board like Craigslist, Facebook, or Freecycle and asking for old newspapers.
Local Libraries
- Bulk or daily papers? Both
- More information: Whether you are looking for local or national newspapers, your local library is a good first stop to find free, daily newspapers to read onsite. Because many libraries subscribe to several national and local daily newspapers, they likely build up a large collection of old newspapers for recycling. Contact your local library to see what it does with the out-of-date newspapers and if it may be willing to give you some.
- Find your local public library
Retail Stores
- Bulk or daily papers? Both
- More information: Book stores, convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores often sell newspapers and may offer free papers like the store’s weekly ad, local weekly newspapers, real estate listing booklets, and classified ad booklets. Some may also be willing to hold their old newspapers for you if you call the store and ask. Availability will vary by location, but some stores that commonly offer free newspapers or weekly advertisements near the entrances, as well as those that may hold old newspapers for you, include:
Note: In some cases, unsold newspapers must be sent back to the distributor, so not all stores can offer old newspapers for free. For any of the stores listed above, you’ll want to call your intended location to confirm its policy and find out whether or not it can save newspapers for you.
Coffee Shops
- Bulk or daily papers? Daily
- More information: Free, current newspapers may be available at your local coffee shop. Sometimes, customers leave a copy of the paper as a courtesy to others. Coffee shops also often sell newspapers, and they may be willing to set aside unsold copies for you at the end of the day.
Local Recycling Centers
- Bulk or daily papers? Bulk
- More information: Recycling centers typically have bins of old newspapers that have been dropped off by people and businesses. You can ask to go through your local center’s collection to get what you need.
- Find a nearby recycling center
Note: Some cities and locales have regulations about removing things from recycling centers. Make sure you are allowed to take the newspapers before showing up at your local center.
Hotels
- Bulk or daily papers? Daily
- More information: Hotels typically offer customers free copies of daily newspapers in the lobby and/or delivered to their rooms. Ask the front desk what the hotel does with extra newspaper issues or lobby copies at the end of the day; the hotel may be happy to set them aside for you.
Car Dealerships
- Bulk or daily papers? Daily
- More information: Many local car dealerships receive several copies of daily papers for customers to read while they wait for service. Some may keep old newspapers for a few days, but if you ask, the associates may be willing to give you a copy. It also helps if you go to a dealership from which you’ve purchased or leased a car.
Salons
- Bulk or daily papers? Daily
- More information: As a business that often requires people to wait for service or to wait between services, many salons have magazines and newspapers available. Employees may be willing to give you old copies. As with car dealerships, it helps if you are a customer at the salon.
Our related article also has information about where to get magazines for free or cheap.
Doctor/Dentist Offices
- Bulk or daily papers? Daily
- More information: While doctors’ and dentists’ offices are not typically places you visit unless you have an appointment, most have daily newspapers available. Front desk associates may be willing to give you old copies if you ask.
Nursing Homes
- Bulk or daily papers? Both
- More information: Many nursing home residents enjoy reading daily papers, and the facilities may have anywhere from a few to hundreds of each day’s newspaper. You can reach out to a nursing home near you, and the staff members will likely be willing to work out an arrangement for you to come take some of the newspapers off their hands.
Local Newspaper Offices
- Bulk or daily papers? Bulk
- More information: Newspaper offices typically recycle misprints and extra copies. You can contact your local newspaper office and ask if you can pick up old or unwanted newspapers. Note, however, that some offices may charge by the pound for old news copy.
Schools
- Bulk or daily papers? Daily
- More information: Many local schools and colleges receive newspaper subscriptions for student use. Newspaper copies are often recycled at the end of the day. You can ask a teacher or school administrator if the papers can be set aside for you. It will help if you are a student or a parent of a student at the school.
Are you looking for a copy of the Sunday paper? See our article for the list of places where you can typically get the Sunday paper on Monday.
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