One of the first steps in planning a move is deciding which supplies you’ll use. For Chicagoans, that involves comparing the pros and cons of reusable moving boxes versus cardboard boxes. Because of the ease, eco-friendliness, and money savings that moving box rental offers, more and more people are opting to rent plastic moving bins and ditch cardboard entirely.
Estimated Costs of Reusable Moving Boxes Versus Cardboard Boxes
The cost of reusable moving boxes versus cardboard supplies will vary based on the size of your home and how much stuff you have to pack. In general, each cardboard box will cost around $6. This often includes the tape you’ll need to build and seal the box and the packing paper you’ll use to wrap any delicate contents.
You can find packing kits that include the average quantity of supplies needed per home size. For example, a kit for a two-bedroom home might include 50 or 60 boxes, a few rolls of tape, and some packing paper or bubble wrap. These kits cost upwards of $300.
Moving box rental companies often also have pre-packaged kits based on home size—and they’re usually cheaper. Here are some average costs of these eco-friendly Chicago moving supplies:
- $120 for a one-bedroom home
- $170 for a two-bedroom home
- $215 for a three-bedroom home
The bundle prices usually include a two-week rental period. If you think you’ll need more time, you can just extend the rental for a small fee. Most suppliers will also provide you with other materials like mattress bags, wheeled dollies, hand trucks, and yes: even a few a la carte cardboard boxes.
Put simply: when you compare the cost of reusable moving boxes versus cardboard, the rental plastic bins almost always win.
Hidden Costs of Cardboard Boxes
Most people don’t realize that traditional moving materials like cardboard boxes cost more than the prices you see online or at a big box store. There are hidden expenses like tape and packing paper. Plus, you’ll have to spend a lot of your own time sourcing and picking up the materials, assembling them before the move, and disassembling them so you can recycle or dispose of them as you unpack.
Additionally, items packed into cardboard boxes tend to be more susceptible to damage than the possessions you move inside sturdy plastic rental totes. Cardboard boxes lose their strength when they’re stacked too high or become wet, leaving your belongings vulnerable to breakage, water, or even mold.
Finally, there’s the environmental toll to consider. A lot of cardboard boxes and tape do, unfortunately, end up in landfills. You can prevent the extra waste by renting reusable moving totes, which don’t require a single strip of disposable tape.
How Moving Box Rental Saves You Time, Space, and Money
In the great debate of using reusable moving boxes versus cardboard boxes, it’s clear that renting sturdy plastic moving totes wins in just about every category. In addition to being an environmentally-friendly alternative to cardboard and tape, the moving box rental option can save you time, space, and money. Here’s how:
- Time savings. You’ll have to source and pick up cardboard boxes, then break them down and dispose of them after your move. Rental moving boxes, on the other hand, will be delivered right to your door and picked up from your new home.
- Space savings. Plastic moving bins are stackable, making them some of the best moving supplies for small spaces like apartments and condos. You won’t have to deal with unstacked cardboard boxes that have to be spread throughout your home before and after your move.
- Money savings. Regardless of whether you choose a pre-packed bundle or a la carte options, moving box rental usually ends up being less expensive than cardboard and tape.
Moving box rental isn’t only for residential relocations—it’s also ideal for commercial moves. If you’re ready to plan an eco-friendly move that’ll save you time, space, and money, your decision will be pretty easy: opt for reusable moving boxes versus cardboard.
Are You Comparing Reusable Moving Boxes Versus Cardboard? Time to Call In the Pros.
We have a passion for helping both our customers and the environment thrive. Our moving box rental options include both standard packages and individually priced items, so you’ll get the exact supplies you need for a smooth and successful move.
Place your order today or chat with our experts about the right supplies for your upcoming Chicago relocation!