Packing
Plastic moving bins vs. cardboard boxes: an honest comparison
Cost, convenience, protection and waste. When bins win, and when cardboard still makes sense.
By the MoverBins team · · 6 min read
Cardboard has been the default for decades. Reusable plastic bins are the newer option. Here's an honest look at both, including where cardboard still makes sense.
Convenience
Cardboard: You have to find boxes (store runs or begging the liquor store), assemble each one, tape the bottom, tape the top, and afterwards break them all down and haul them to recycling.
Plastic bins: They arrive at your door, already built, with attached lids. You fill, close and stack. After the move, they get picked up.
Winner: bins, by hours.
Protection
Cardboard: Boxes crush when stacked, especially bottom boxes in a tall stack. They soften in humidity and fall apart in rain, which matters on a Memphis summer move day with a pop-up thunderstorm.
Plastic bins: Rigid walls don't crush, lids keep out rain, and handles make them safer to carry.
Winner: bins.
Moving day speed
Bins are all the same size, so they stack evenly on dollies and in the truck. Teams can roll a stack of four or five bins at a time instead of carrying one box at a time.
Winner: bins.
Cost
Buying a full set of new cardboard for a 2–3 bedroom home, plus tape, markers and packing paper, often costs well over $100 at big-box stores. Free used boxes cost nothing but time, and you usually get a mix of sizes and strengths.
Renting bins costs a bit more than the cheapest cardboard setup, but includes delivery, pickup and dollies, and saves you the box hunting and cleanup.
Winner: depends on how you value your time.
Waste
Cardboard can be recycled, but much of it still ends up in the trash, along with the tape and plastic wrap. Rental bins are washed and reused move after move.
Winner: bins.
When cardboard still makes sense
- Long-term storage where you'll leave things boxed for months. (Or buy the bins you want to keep.)
- Very odd-shaped items like large mirrors, TVs and artwork. A flat TV & mirror box works better than either.
- Shipping items with a parcel carrier.
The bottom line
For a local move, bins win on almost everything except the absolute lowest cash cost. If you're moving within Memphis or Shelby County, see our packages.