How to Pack Plastic Moving Boxes

Durable and eco-friendly, plastic bins are an eco-friendly alternative to cardboard boxes when it comes to moving. You can easily find a company today that will drop the bins off at your current residence, and remove them from your new place when you’re done. And since they come preassembled, you simply need to pack them and close the lid—no tape required!

However, you need to know how to pack a plastic bin to ensure your belongings arrive in the best condition. Factors like the bin’s size and the loading strategies you use make a difference. Here’s what to consider when packing plastic bins.

When to choose plastic over cardboard

You can use plastic totes instead of cardboard boxes whenever you want to, but sometimes, plastic makes more sense. That’s especially true if you are concerned about the environment. Plastic bins are usually made from recycled materials and are reusable as storage after you move. Or, if you rent them, the bins can be used again by other customers. The bins also don’t require tape—although they could benefit from it to ensure they stay sealed.

Weather is another good reason to go plastic. During winter in a snowy area or spring when it rains, you can protect your belongings from moisture by using plastic instead of cardboard. Not only can moisture seep into a cardboard box during inclement weather, but if the box gets too wet, it can fall apart when you try to pick it up.

Plastic bins can also be more convenient. Many companies will deliver them to your doorstep and remove them when you’re done unpacking. (Others don’t. For example, you’ll have to pick up U-Haul’s Ready-to-Go Boxes directly and return to the same location when you are done.) Another advantage? If you purchase clear plastic totes, you can see the contents inside without opening and resealing them.

How to choose a plastic bin for moving

If you are renting plastic bins for your move, the good news is you don’t have to choose. Some companies have just one standard bin. For example, U-Haul offers just one plastic bin that is 24” long, 20” wide and 12” high. Others offer a few more options. Rentacrate has two standard boxes (18” x 18” x 16” and 16” x 12” x 12”) and a foldable plastic wardrobe (21” x 24” x 48”). Keep the size of your belongings and available bin sizes in mind when shopping for a company.

On the other hand, if you plan to purchase your own plastic totes for the move, your top priority should be durability. Choose one made from high-density polyethylene that can withstand the weight of other totes when stacked. The lid should be especially sturdy—if it’s not, other totes stacked on top could crack it—and it should close securely. The last thing you want to deal with as you load plastic bins in your vehicle or moving truck is a lid that keeps popping off, potentially spilling the container’s contents.

You also want to purchase bins that are the same size and can be stacked. Because plastic bins have handles, they don’t always stack securely, allowing them to shift during the move. Test how well two or three totes nest when they are stacked before you purchase them.

Packing Plastic Bins for a Move

In many ways, packing plastic bins is similar to packing a cardboard box for a move. But there are a few significant differences. Follow these steps to securely pack your plastic bins.

Gather your supplies

One advantage of using plastic totes instead of cardboard boxes for your next move is you’ll need fewer supplies. Here’s what you’ll need:

Plastic bins or tote
Packing paper
Towels and other soft items
Plastic wrap
Tape
Painter’s tape
Marker

Make sure your items are dry

Not only does the plastic prevent water from getting inside the tote but it prevents evaporation, creating an environment for mildew and mold to grow. To avoid that, make sure anything you pack inside a plastic bin is completely dry. Allow a few extra days to air dry any items if you intend to wash them before packing.

Additionally, be careful about packing items that need to breathe, like leather or vintage clothing. If something can’t be stored in a plastic bag, it can’t be stored in a plastic bin during a move. You’ll need to make an exception for those items and pack them in cardboard boxes or other breathable containers.

Wrap and pack

Start by placing a layer of packing paper or an old towel in the bottom of the plastic bin. Next, wrap each item in packing paper and place in the box one at a time. Cushion with additional packing paper or soft items like towels, clothes or decorative pillows. When the box seems full, test it by putting its lid on and giving a gentle shake. If the items move inside, add more paper or soft materials and try again.

While you want the plastic tote to be full, you don’t want to overload it either. Plastic totes tend to be larger than moving boxes, and if you overload them with items, they can be too heavy to lift. A particularly heavy load can even break through a flimsy tote. Plus, if they’re too heavy, they cumulative weight can damage the bottom tote when stacked.

To avoid overpacking a plastic bin, include plenty of packing paper, towels or other cushioning in each plastic tote.

Seal the plastic bin

Plastic bins typically either have lids that snap on or flaps that folds over and locks in place. Test the plastic bin you are using to see how well it stays in place. If necessary, reinforce by using one of three methods.

Tape: You can tape the lid to the lip of the plastic bin at points on all four sides to make sure the lid stays attached. Unfortunately, since you’ll have to use moving tape for a strong seal, it will probably leave behind a sticky residue when you remove it.

Zip ties: If the lip around the bin and the lid have corresponding holes, you can use zip ties to secure the lid in place. Zip ties also make it a little more difficult for someone to break into your bin and steal what’s inside.

Plastic wrap: Or, you can secure the lid with plastic wrap. Just loop the plastic wrap around the bin’s girth a few times.

Label your plastic bin

Just like you would with a cardboard box, you’ll need to label a plastic bin. However, you can’t rely on a marker to write directly on the bin since even permanent markers can smear before they dry.

Instead, use painter’s tape. Fix a strip on the box, label the room it belongs in and an important item or two, if you want. You can add an additional strip to indicate “This Side Up” or “Fragile.” Or, use colored stickers to indicate which room each plastic bin belongs in. A green sticker could represent the living room, for example.

Loading plastic bins

On moving day, think twice about how high you stack your plastic bins in your vehicle or in the moving van. Stacked plastic bins are not as stable as a tower of stacked cardboard boxes. Plus, they are not designed to withstand the weight of several other bins on top of them. Limit yourself to two bins, one on top of another, unless the company you are renting bins from indicates it is safe to stack more. For example, Rentacrate tells its customers they can stack their plastic totes four high.

Ready to start packing?

If packing plastic bins seems like too much work, hire someone else to do the work for you. True, most moving companies use cardboard instead of plastic, but they will do the packing and moving for you. We have an extensive network of reputable and reliable movers who can pack and move your entire home. And, because they’re licensed and insured, you can rest easy they’ll get the job done right.