How to Use Plastic Moving Boxes When Moving

Cardboard boxes for packing and moving various household items are probably the very first image that people get when a conversation centers on the topic of moving house. 

In fact, cardboard containers have become synonymous with the house-moving process thanks to a number of good reasons: cardboard boxes are fairly affordable, extremely versatile, very convenient, and easily accessible. Also, cardboard is a 100% biodegradable material so the usage of cardboard containers just happens to be eco-friendly as well.

And yet, despite all the clear advantages of using cardboard boxes when moving house, you may find out that the usage of plastic boxes for moving will work out even better for you during your own move.

Read on to find out the numerous benefits of using plastic moving boxes when moving from one home to another.

Also, you’ll learn where to buy plastic for your packing needs, and most importantly – how to pack plastic containers for moving.

BENEFITS of using plastic boxes for moving

Actually, it may not be easy to decide to use plastic bins to pack up most of your things simply because you must be used to the idea of using cardboard boxes when moving house. You just know that cardboard containers work just fine during a move, so why should you switch to plastic packing boxes all of a sudden?

Plastic boxes are STRONG

Have you ever had a cardboard box break under its own weight while you were carrying it in your arms? The chances are it’s happened to you at least once.

Plastic bins are manufactured from high-density polyethylene and, as a result, are very strong and durable – exactly what you need on Moving day. Plastic moving boxes cannot collapse when fully loaded and cannot get crushed by other boxes stacked on top.

Also, since hard plastic is an impact-resilient material, whatever is packed inside plastic bins will be protected additionally by the durable outer shell of those containers.

In reality, plastic containers play the role of small-scale sturdy suitcases that will be used for holding small, fragile items instead of clothes or shoes.

Plastic containers are REUSABLE

One of the best bonuses of using plastic moving boxes is that they can be used over and over again just because they are so durable.

The great news is, as long as you use those plastic moving containers for their intended purpose, you can use them hundreds of times before they will need to be recycled.

And because of their too-good-to-be-true level of reusability, plastic bins are always a good investment, especially when you happen to move house more often than the average American does (once every 5 years).

Plastic bins are WATERPROOF

Unlike cardboard boxes, plastic containers are water-proof.

Once their lids are closed securely, they are virtually water-tight and will keep whatever is packed inside them completely dry even if you have the bad luck of moving in the rain or moving in winter.

It’s a big plus to choose plastic storage bins over standard moving boxes made of cardboard. Keep in mind that when cardboard boxes get wet, they become very vulnerable and can easily break even when the load inside them is not too heavy.

So, you won’t have to worry about moisture getting inside the plastic containers for moving and damaging your possessions.

Plastic containers are STACKABLE

Another advantage of using plastic boxes for moving is that they are stackable – that is, they stack well on a moving dolly and later inside the moving vehicle. And because of it, you should be able to arrange the bins neatly one on top of the other, thus maximizing the storage space in the truck.

The majority of plastic containers have lids that are designed to fit perfectly on the bottom of another identical container, thus enabling you to stack the plastic boxes higher without fear of them sliding and falling over.

When you’re done moving, the plastic bins will nest inside one another which will save you plenty of storage space in the new home.

Plastic storage boxes are CONVENIENT

Most plastic containers for moving and storage have built-in handles which makes them easier and pick and carry safely. Also, when using plastic boxes for moving, there’s no assembly required of any sort – you won’t need box cutters and you definitely won’t need packing tape to secure the boxes and seal them shut after packing them up.

Another convenient feature of reusable packing boxes made of plastic is that most of them are clear – that is, you can see easily what’s inside them. That alone will help you identify their content without having to open the containers, which in turn saves you time.

And, for obvious reasons, you won’t even need to bother labeling the clear plastic containers, thus making things even easier on Moving day.

Types of Moving Boxes for Your Move

Plastic moving boxes are EFFICIENT

Another great thing about using plastic boxes for moving is that those containers don’t require any time to get ready for usage. As soon as you have those storage plastic bins, you’re OK to start filling them up with whatever you have decided to keep in them

You wouldn’t need to assemble those plastic boxes as it’s the case with cardboard boxes that come flattened up from the store. And this means only one thing – plenty of saved time and effort for you.

What’s more, plastic moving containers can hold safely and protect all sorts of small items – perfectly safe. As long as you make sure that no item inside such plastic bins can move around during transport, you can store all types of things inside those containers, including fragile items that should be wrapped up in soft packing paper and even bubble wrap, if necessary.

Plastic storage bins are a GOOD INVESTMENT

Compared to standard cardboard boxes, plastic moving bins are not cheap. On average, one clear storage bin (72 qt) can cost around $10 and go up depending on the overall quality and manufacturer.

However, taking into account that plastic moving boxes can be used and reused hundreds of times without any damage whatsoever, then it becomes obvious that they are an excellent investment in the long run.

The good news is that you can also rent plastic containers for moving for as long as you need them – oftentimes until you’re done unpacking your things in the new home.

For example, U-Haul offers plastic moving boxes for rent for as low as $1.50 a week.

Plastic containers for moving are ECO-FRIENDLY

You may think that plastic boxes are bad for the environment because they are made of plastic, but you’d be wrong.

First of all, as mentioned above, plastic boxes for moving can be used hundreds of times, which minimizes the impact on the environment.

Secondly, when a plastic container has reached the end of its lifespan, then it’s simply recycled, thus creating the next batch of sustainable moving boxes. 

What’s more, the majority of plastic containers for moving are made from 100% recycled plastic which makes them as eco-friendly as it gets.

7 Green Moving Tips for an Eco-Friendly Move

WHERE to get plastic boxes for moving

Now that you are familiar with all the pros of using plastic boxes during your house move, let’s say a few words about how you can get your hands on such plastic storage bins.

Where to BUY plastic moving boxes

You can easily purchase plastic storage containers from any home improvement store in your town or city. Of course, the larger that store is, the more options you’ll have in terms of pricing, container capacity, and overall quality.

Of course, you can also purchase plastic containers for moving online:

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

or best, visit in person the largest hardware stores near you.

Where to RENT plastic moving boxes

Another way you can get plastic moving totes for your packing and moving needs is to rent those containers until your move is over.

It’s a cheap and convenient way to secure all the boxes you’ll need, transport your items safely, and then return those plastic containers so that you won’t have to worry about where to store them in the new place.

A simple Google search Where to rent plastic moving boxes will show you where you can find plastic moving containers for rent in your area.

UHaul offers the so-called Ready-To-Go plastic boxes that you can use for as long as you need, and then easily return them with no minimum rental period and box quantity. The price is pretty affordable too – $1.50 per box for one week plus $1 per box for each additional week.

Other companies that offer plastic bin rentals include BoxUpRental, BinIt, Rent A Crate, Leafy Moving Boxes.

WHEN to use plastic containers for moving

As you know already, the usage of plastic containers for moving has many clear advantages over the use of cardboard boxes. There are specific house-moving scenarios that will suggest plastic over cardboard when it comes to moving boxes.

So, when should you use plastic bins for moving?

• When you’re moving in winter and you wish to protect your items against the moisture in the air – that is, the falling snow.
• Whenever the weather forecast says there will be rain on your move-out date.
• When you’re determined to make your house move as eco-friendly as possible.
• When you already have plenty of plastic storage bins in your home from a previous house move.
• When you wish to provide a maximum level of protection for your prized possessions.
• When you’re moving miscellaneous items that must not get exposed to moisture.
• When you’ve already bought a large number of plastic storage containers simply because you plan to use the bin for storing various items in the new home.

The Best Room By Room Packing Checklist

HOW to pack plastic containers for moving

Here’s what you need to know when packing plastic moving boxes:

• MAKE sure each and every item is completely dry before you pack it into a plastic bin for moving. Why? Since plastic containers are watertight, the moisture that gets accidentally trapped inside them cannot escape and will create the perfect conditions for the formation of mold and mildew.

• CHECK the plastic storage bins to ensure that they are 100% dry as well.
• WRAP in soft packing paper whatever items you intend to arrange inside the plastic bins. You can also use soft fabrics as protective layers for the things you wish to pack up. Wrapping paper can absorb whatever small amount of dampness happens to be inside the plastic moving boxes.
• AVOID using bubble wrap to protect the things you wish to pack and store inside the plastic storage totes. Since bubble wrap is also a plastic material, moisture could potentially form from the air that gets trapped inside the air-tight plastic bins.
• PLACE a couple of sheets of packing paper on the bottom of each plastic bin in order to create a soft protective layer. If the plastic box is large enough, you can also place an old towel (make sure it’s dry) on the bottom to form an excellent padding layer.
• PACK the items that you wish to transport in plastic boxes. Such things include but are not limited to books, toys (especially suitable for LEGO sets), office supplies, toiletries, bathroom items, small clothing items, and other miscellaneous stuff.
• FILL each plastic bin to the top but be careful not to overfill it. You should be able to close the plastic lid normally, without having to press down hard so that the lid pops into place.
• FILL any large gaps inside a plastic moving box with pieces of crumpled paper to prevent the packed items from shifting around during transport. Bear in mind that any undesired shifts inside moving boxes could lead to untimely damage. 
• CLOSE the lid of the plastic bin – it should pop into place provided that you have not overfilled the container.
• TAKE the packed plastic box in your hands and shake it gently. Can you feel or see anything moving inside it? If yes, open the lid and add more cushioning materials – mostly crumpled paper – to immobilize whatever items are packed inside.
• LABEL each plastic bin that is not transparent. Don’t use a marker pen directly on the plastic – instead, use clear packing tape to attach paper labels to the top and the side of each box. Clear plastic storage containers don’t have to be labeled since their content is easily visible from the outside. Nevertheless, if you wish, you can still label them, especially when they will be handled by professional movers.
• STACK the plastic bins in the moving vehicle by following the rule that the heaviest boxes should be on the bottom while the lighter ones get stacked vertically on top of them. Use your common sense when stacking plastic moving boxes and don’t make the bin tower too high as it will become too unstable.

How to Pack for a Move Out of State

The use of plastic moving boxes during a house move can be a great alternative to using standard cardboard boxes – the containers that everyone knows all too well.

While both types of moving boxes have indisputable advantages, the better outer-shell protection and water-resistance of plastic moving containers may be the features that will tip the balance in their favor.

Should you happen to face any difficulties when packing up your home for a move, get in touch with professional packers with many years of experience for timely assistance.