When you’re preparing for a move, one of the first things you’ll think about is how to pack your stuff. And right behind that question comes the classic debate: should you use cardboard boxes or plastic moving bins?
At Otter Moving, we’ve helped thousands of customers relocate smoothly, and we’ve seen both options in action. Here’s everything you need to know to help you make the right decision.
Spoiler alert: there’s no wrong answer—just the one that works best for you.
Cost: Basically the Same
Let’s get this out of the way early: cardboard boxes and plastic moving bins cost about the same when you factor in everything.
Whether you’re buying a set of boxes or renting a set of bins, there’s no major difference in cost.
What matters more is how you want to pack, what you plan to do with the materials afterward, and how you feel about convenience.
How Delivery and Pick-Up Work
No matter which option you choose, Otter Moving takes care of the logistics. Whether you go with cardboard boxes or rent plastic bins, we deliver them to your home about one week before your move. That gives you plenty of time to pack at your own pace and stay organized.
If you buy cardboard boxes, they’re yours to keep. Many people like this because they can break them down and reuse them for storage, future moves, or even for donating items.
With plastic bins, we’ll pick them up after you’ve unpacked in your new home. You don’t have to worry about a pile of leftover boxes cluttering your space. Just give us a call or text once you’re done, and we’ll schedule a pick-up.
When to Choose Plastic Bins
Plastic bins are great for local moves. They’re sturdy, waterproof, and stack easily. Fragile or heavy items are well protected, and since all bins are uniform in size, your movers can load them efficiently.
At Otter Moving, we clean and disinfect every bin thoroughly between uses. We take hygiene seriously, and our team ensures each bin is delivered in spotless condition.
Plastic bins are also the more eco-friendly option because they can be reused many times—reducing waste and helping the environment one move at a time.
However, we don’t recommend bins for long-distance moves or storage. That’s because they need to be returned after the move, and long-distance logistics don’t make that practical.
The same goes for storage: if you need to store items for weeks or months, cardboard boxes are a better fit.
When to Choose Cardboard Boxes
Cardboard boxes are the traditional go-to for moving, and for good reason. They come in a wide variety of sizes and are flexible enough for both local and long-distance moves.
They’re also ideal for storage—whether you’re putting items in a closet, basement, or storage facility.
Since you get to keep the boxes, you can reuse or recycle them however you like.
Some people label and store them flat for their next move. Others use them to donate clothes or household items.
And if you don’t want to keep them, many neighborhoods have recycling programs or social media groups where you can give them away.
Our Take: Why Not Both?
Many Otter Moving customers use a combination of both.
Plastic bins are fantastic for fragile kitchen items, books, electronics, and things you want extra protection for.
Boxes are great for bulky items, lightweight clothes, linens, and things you might want to store long-term.
Using both gives you the best of both worlds—durability where you need it and flexibility where it matters.
Conclusion
Both cardboard boxes and plastic bins are solid choices, and Otter Moving makes them equally easy to use.
We’ll deliver whichever packing solution you choose directly to your door about a week before moving day, giving you plenty of time to pack without pressure.
Once you’ve settled in, we’ll come back and pick up the bins—no mess, no stress.
Just remember: plastic bins are best for local moves, and they’re cleaned and reused to cut down on waste.
Boxes are better for long-distance moves and storage.
Whichever route you go, Otter’s got your back with reliable delivery, expert movers, and a friendly team ready to help.
Planning a move soon? Get in touch with Otter Moving and let’s make it easy.
