Why Plastic Moving Boxes May Be Better Than Cardboard for Your Next Move

 When you think about moving house, the first image that comes to mind is usually a pile of cardboard boxes stacked high and waiting to be filled.

That’s understandable, cardboard containers have long been the go-to choice for packing and moving household items.

They’re affordable, versatile, convenient, and easily accessible almost anywhere. Additionally, cardboard is 100% biodegradable, making it an eco-friendly option for those seeking a greener move.

However, despite these advantages, there’s another option worth considering: plastic moving boxes.

In many situations, plastic containers can make your move easier, faster, and more efficient.

Read on to discover the benefits of plastic moving boxes, where to buy or rent them, and how to pack plastic containers safely for your move.

You may also like to read: Alternative Packing Materials. The cost of packing materials can add significantly to your moving costs. In this guide, we suggest things commonly found around the home that can be used in place of traditional packing materials.

Benefits of Using Plastic Moving Boxes

Switching from cardboard to plastic might seem unusual at first, but once you learn the benefits, it’s easy to see why more movers are starting to use plastic rather than cardboard boxes.

1. Plastic Boxes Are Strong and Durable

If you’ve ever had a cardboard box collapse under its own weight, you know how frustrating that can be. Plastic bins, made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), are built to last.

They won’t buckle or tear, even when stacked or fully loaded. This strength helps protect your belongings from crushing or impact damage, like small, durable suitcases designed for your household items.

2. Plastic Bins Are Reusable

Unlike cardboard boxes that wear out after a move or two, plastic moving boxes are reusable hundreds of times.

As long as they’re used for their intended purpose, they’ll last for years before needing to be recycled.

If you move frequently or help friends and family move, these containers quickly become a long-term investment.

3. Plastic Moving Boxes Are Waterproof

One of the biggest advantages of plastic over cardboard is water resistance.
When you move in the rain or snow, cardboard boxes can easily get soggy and fall apart. Plastic boxes, on the other hand, seal tightly and keep everything inside dry.

This makes them ideal for winter moves, moving during rain, or storing moisture-sensitive items like books, clothes, and electronics.

You may also like to read: Rain on Moving Day. Cardboard easily gets damp, seriously compromising its integrity. Plastic totes do not have this problem. In this guide, we look at how to protect your precious items from rain on moving day.

4. Plastic Containers Stack Easily

Most plastic bins are designed to stack securely, saving space on moving dollies and inside the moving truck.

Their lids often lock into the base of another bin, preventing sliding or tipping during transport.

After the move, the empty bins nest neatly inside one another, helping you save valuable storage space at home.

Additionally, they can be used to store seasonal items in your new home and will not suffer from pest or moisture damage when stored, unlike cardboard boxes.

5. Plastic Boxes Are Convenient

Plastic containers come ready to use; there is no assembly, no tape, and no box cutters required. Many models also include built-in handles for safe carrying.

Clear plastic bins offer another major advantage: you can see what’s inside at a glance.

This makes it easier to organize and unpack without opening each box or writing detailed labels (though labeling opaque bins is still recommended).

6. Plastic Moving Boxes Save Time

Unlike flat-packed cardboard boxes, plastic containers require no setup. You can start packing immediately, saving time and effort during an already busy move.

There is also the frustration of using, and often running out of, packing tape, which using tote boxes eliminates.

They’re ideal for smaller, delicate items, but just be sure to cushion fragile belongings with packing paper or soft fabric to prevent them from shifting in transit.

7. Plastic Bins Are a Smart Investment

While a large plastic storage bin (around 72 quarts) can cost $10 or more, its reusability makes it cost-effective in the long run.

If you’d rather not buy, you can rent plastic moving boxes for a fraction of the cost.

Often, rental companies will deliver them to your door and arrange collection when you have finished with them.

For example, U-Haul rents plastic bins for around $1.50 per week. Other rental options include Bin It, Rent A Crate, BoxUpRental, and Leafy Moving Boxes.

8. Plastic Moving Boxes Are Eco-Friendly

Although made from plastic, these bins are surprisingly sustainable.
Most are made from 100% recycled plastic, and because they’re used hundreds of times before recycling, their environmental impact is low.

When they do reach the end of their life, the material can be fully recycled into new containers.

You may also like to read: Eco-Friendly Moving Tips. In this guide, we offer a number of tips to make your home move more eco-friendly.

Where to Get Plastic Moving Boxes

Buy Plastic Moving Boxes

You can purchase high-quality plastic storage bins at most major retailers, including:

• Amazon
• Walmart
• The Home Depot
• Target
• Lowe’s

Visit your local home improvement store to compare sizes, materials, and prices in person.

Rent Plastic Moving Boxes

Renting plastic moving boxes is a budget-friendly and sustainable option. You’ll receive clean, ready-to-use containers, use them for your move, and then return them, so there is no need to store them afterward.

Try searching online for “plastic moving box rental near me” to find local providers. Popular options include:

• U-Haul Ready-To-Go Boxes
• Bin It
• Rent A Crate
• BoxUpRental
• Leafy Moving Boxes

When to Use Plastic Boxes Instead of Cardboard

Plastic moving containers are ideal in specific moving scenarios, such as:

• Moving during rainy or snowy weather
• Wanting a more eco-friendly and sustainable move
• Needing to protect moisture-sensitive items
• Reusing bins from previous moves
• Storing items long-term after the move
• Packing fragile or valuable belongings that need extra protection

You may also like to read: Packing for Long-Term Storage. Plastic tote boxes are ideal for storing long-term and seasonal items. In this guide, we offer tips for packing items that you will place in storage.

How to Pack Plastic Containers for Moving

To get the most out of your plastic moving boxes, follow these best practices:

1. Ensure items are completely dry before packing to prevent mold or mildew.
2. Wipe the inside of each bin dry before use.
3. Wrap fragile items in packing paper or soft fabric. Avoid using plastic wrap inside airtight bins, as trapped moisture can cause condensation.
4. Add a base layer of paper or towels to cushion the bottom.
5. Fill each bin evenly without overpacking; the lid should close easily.
6. Use crumpled paper to fill gaps and prevent items from shifting.
7. Shake gently to test for movement. If you hear rattling, add more padding.
8. Label opaque bins using tape and paper labels. For clear bins, labeling is optional.
9. Stack bins safely in the moving truck, placing heavier containers on the bottom and lighter ones on top.

You may also like to read: Packing Tips. In this guide, we offer 100 packing tips for things commonly found around the home.

Security tip: For security, use colored zip ties (not black or clear ones, as they are easily available) to secure the lids of your tote boxes if the contents are valuable. It will be easy, therefore, to see any boxes that have been tampered with.

Additionally, ensure valuable items that are packed in clear tote boxes are wrapped so that the contents cannot be identified.

Why Use Plastic Tote Boxes?

Using plastic moving boxes can make your move more efficient, organized, and eco-friendly.

They’re strong, waterproof, stackable, and built to last: everything you need for stress-free packing.

Just think how frustrating and expensive it is to use packing tape. With plastic totes, you can say goodbye to hours wasted trying to find the end of the roll, the tape splitting as you use it, and running out halfway through your packing marathon.

And after your move, you can still use them for storage.

If storing them, they stack inside each other, saving space, and if you have rented them, then they are quickly taken away, so there’s no wondering what to do with those unpacked boxes.

Whether you choose to buy or rent, these containers are the modern alternative to traditional cardboard boxes, especially for anyone looking to protect their belongings and minimize waste.

If packing still feels overwhelming, and we all know that it is the worst aspect of moving home, then consider hiring professional packers to save you time, stress, and living amongst packing boxes for weeks before your move.

Also bear in mind that many insurance policies will not cover any items in transit that you have packed yourself, so check your insurance cover very carefully: it is one of the most common home moving mistakes.

You may also like to read: How Much Does It Cost to Hire Packers. Hiring professional packers will make your home move so much easier. In this guide, we discover the average cost of hiring packers for your move.

Good luck with your move, and be sure to visit our home moving blog for guides on how to make every aspect of your home move easier, cheaper, and safer.