Packing is the most critical aspect of any relocation project. How efficiently a homeowner packs can affect a move’s outcome. When it comes to moving, many people use cardboard boxes to pack up and protect their belongings, and they have been an industry standard for years. However, another option is reusable plastic totes, which have become popular among people when moving between homes. They have emerged as an effective solution to reduce stress and facilitate effortless packing.
When planning for a move, many struggle to decide between plastic totes or cardboard boxes. In this post, we will discuss the pros and cons of each to help you decide which one to choose.
Pros of Cardboard boxes
- Readily accessible. Cardboard boxes are widely available and easily found with a self-storage provider or moving rental company with other moving supplies.
- Available in different sizes. Cardboard boxes come in various shapes and sizes, and the user can choose based on the items they need to pack.
- Economical. Cardboard boxes are affordable to buy or rent; after using them, they break down flat for easy storage for future use.
- Easy to load and arrange. Cardboard boxes are lightweight, can be used to pack various products, simple to load into the vehicle, and prevent packed items from banging around.
- Sustainable. Cardboard boxes are environmentally friendly as they are recyclable and biodegradable.
Cons of cardboard boxes
- Less durable. Cardboard boxes readily break under pressure, wear out, or tear.
- Poor weather resistance. Cardboard boxes are not waterproof. Moisture can spoil the box’s contents. Additionally, if the box gets wet, it falls apart.
- Susceptible to infestation. Cardboard attracts pests like silverfish, roaches, and termites.
Pros of Plastic totes
- More durable. Plastic boxes are much sturdier and safer than cardboard boxes and will not break during the move. In addition, they can bear a lot more weight than cardboard or other storage containers.
- Weather resistant. The most significant advantage of plastic totes is that they are water, insect, and mold resistant. Their lids create a tight seal, protecting the tote’s contents.
- More efficient. Unlike cardboard boxes, plastic totes do not require assembling or taping, which saves time and energy during packing.
- Easy to carry and stack. Plastic boxes can withstand heavy weight and can be stacked one on another. They come with handles, which makes them easier to carry. Also, plastic boxes won’t slide around once placed inside the moving truck.
- Environmentally-friendly. Plastic totes create less waste and can be reused numerous times before they are no longer usable. There is no waste generated when using plastic totes.
- Worry-free. The packing or moving company picks up the plastic totes after the move. It eliminates the worry of disposing of the cardboard boxes.
- Less expensive. Plastic boxes are cheaper than cardboard boxes because each can be reused multiple times.
Cons of plastic totes
- Bulky. Since the size allows for more storage, plastic totes can be too heavy to move safely and may be too heavy to stack effectively.
- Hold moisture. Moisture can be problematic if the tote or what it contains is not completely dry. A sealed, wet environment is the ideal breeding ground for mold and mildew.
- Pack with care. Although these totes hold more than traditional boxes, the user must pack them carefully as items are more likely to shift during the move. They require ample packing material, especially for fragile belongings.
- Timeline for unpacking. When renting moving totes, there is a timeline for unpacking them. A person can’t unduly procrastinate unpacking.
Plastic totes vs. cardboard boxes
Cardboard boxes are ideal as a temporary storage solution. Plastic totes are best for moving when there is a potential risk of water or moves that require durability. Also, plastic totes look more aesthetically pleasing and are endlessly reusable.
At Goat On A Tote, we offer moving tote rental, including delivery and pickup of empty totes, for residential and commercial customers in the Phoenix Valley area. Our environmentally-friendly totes are made of strong, quality material. We deliver the totes to a business or home ready to use, then remove them once they’re unpacked from the new location. Although we do not pack the contents of the totes, we save the homeowner from being forced to purchase totes for a single use.
