Do I have to use cardboard boxes when moving in NYC? Are there any green alternatives?

Flimsy cardboard boxes are no longer the default when packing up your belongings for a move. Instead, more people are turning to rentable plastic bins—which, because they are reusable and recyclable, are indeed a more eco-friendly alternative.

“We’ve been renting the bins on a weekly basis for about three years now,” said Dor Klein of Big Apple Moving, a highly rated company that has provided local and long-distance moving services and secure storage options to New Yorkers since 1979. 

Booked another moving company? You can still rent bins from Big Apple and make your move easier and greener.

Klein cited other reasons beyond sustainability for the bins’ growing popularity: “They are cheaper, more durable, easier to maneuver, and are better at keeping your items safe.”

Brick is here to unpack that statement if you are considering using plastic bins for your next relocation. 

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Bins are stackable when empty to save on space and have tight-fitting lids for easier handling. 

Credit

Big Apple Moving

1. Plastic bins are more efficient 

The plastic bins are one-size-fits-all, each measuring 14 inches in height, 18 inches in width, and 28 inches in length. That means you no longer have to worry about filling a too-large box with heavy books or figuring out which kind of box to use for various breakables. 

And because the crates nest inside each other when empty and can be stacked when full, they take up much less space.

2. They can save you money

The average price of a cardboard moving box is $4, meaning you would spend about $400 for 100 boxes—the typical quantity needed for packing up a two-bedroom apartment. 

“That is a significant cost, when you can get the same number of bins for half the price of boxes, depending on the package,” Klein said. For example, it would cost $200 to rent 100 plastic bins from Big Apple. 

What’s more, you can get by with far fewer bins than you would boxes for the same size apartment. For example, Big Apple estimates 60 bins for a two-bedroom move, at a total cost of $130. (Contrast that to the $400 estimate for cardboard boxes above). 

An online booking platform allows you to choose a package based on the size of your place, or you can create a custom order. The rental fee covers the delivery of the bins to your existing location and pickup at your new place a week later, or you can choose a different end date for a slightly higher fee.

3. They are also more durable

Unless you are a packing pro, it can be tough to securely tape all those cardboard boxes. On the other hand, the bins have ultra-secure self-closing lids—which double as handles for easier shifting and lifting.

The bins are also sturdy enough to stand on (Klein said he tested them himself before renting them out) and waterproof, able to withstand rain, sleet, snow, and other inclement weather conditions. 

4. Finally, they are greener

Sure, single-use cardboard moving boxes can be recycled, but Klein says the bins are made of 100 percent recyclable plastic and can be reused hundreds, if not thousands of times. 

“The sustainability factor is very important to us,” Klein said, adding that it usually costs more money to be environmentally aware. “But here, even if you don’t care about being green, you will be saving money and doing good.” 

Planning your next move? Big Apple Moving provides top-notch service backed by our 100 percent satisfaction guarantee and a team of skilled movers for a pleasant, comfortable experience. Visit the website or call (212) 365-0707 for an instant price quote.