Plastic boxes: good for self storage?

There are many advantages to plastic boxes. They are tough and durable. Many sorts come with tightly fitting lids that provide a good seal to keep out dust, moisture, even liquid spillage. They stack well. They have strong handles, or good moulded hand-holds. If they are made of clear plastic (e.g. polypropylene, homopolymer), you can see the contents from the outside.

They are good for storing books, magazines, CDs, shoes, tools and oddments, office documents and lever-arch files. The biggest are trunk-sized: these are good for storing curtains, cushions, clothes and duvets.

But plastic boxes are expensive – they cost at least twice as much as cardboard boxes.

Plastic boxes for self storage: price and size

Of course you can buy plastic boxes in virtually any size or shape imaginable. Have a look at the website plasticboxshop.co.uk to see the range of possibilities.

For self storage, sizes ranked as medium, large and very large are probably what are needed. Because plastic boxes are not usually completely rectangular, and often taper towards the base, they are may be categorised by their capacity in litres. Typically sizes and prices look something like this:

Medium: 44 litres (49 x 29 x 27 cm = length/width/height): £7.00 each

Large: 110 litres (69 x 29 x 38 cm): £12.00 each

Very large: 160 litres (65 x 41 x 59 cm): £17.00 each

This is just a rough rule of thumb. There are numerous sizes and shapes available, with a range of types of lid (hinged, clip-on, snap-on etc). There are also lidless boxes, often referred to as “crates”; made of opaque, coloured plastic, they are usually medium size.

If you are buying a large number of boxes, it is useful to know how well they stack when full; and if they “nest” (stack one within the other) when empty.

Plastic boxes vs cardboard boxes

In terms of performance, cardboard boxes have many disadvantages when compared to plastic boxes. They are generally less strong and rigid; they can become worn and tatty with use; and they may be weaker when it comes to vertical stacking. They are also a less effective barrier to moisture, should there be any risk of that (e.g. in some open-air container storage, or in a garage lockup).

But cardboard boxes have advantages too. They are fully rectangular, so make slightly better use of space, both inside the box and when stacking into a self storage unit.

And they are much cheaper. The measurement used for plastic boxes and cardboard boxes don’t quite tally, but very approximately a medium or standard cardboard storage box is about the same size as a medium plastic box; and a large cardboard box roughly corresponds in size to a large plastic box (but generally only plastic boxes go to very large or trunk size).

The figures for cardboard storage boxes available from the box shops of the major storage companies look something like this:

Medium (35 x 35 x 55 cm): £2.90–£4.35 each

Large (51 x 51 x 51cm): £4.00–£4.60 each

If you look around, you can find better deals, especially with multiple buys and packs. Specialist box suppliers can also be highly competitive. Box Boys, for instance, sell double-wall boxes (especially strong, designed for removals) as follows:

Medium (33 x 35 x 45 cm): £1.65 each

Large (46 x 46 x 51cm): £2.20 each

That’s about one-fifth of the price of plastic boxes. (Of course, you may still be able to get cardboard boxes for free in some supermarkets and off licences!)

So why use plastic boxes for self storage?

Plastic boxes are expensive, but they definitely have their uses.

• They are more hard-wearing if your boxes are getting heavy usage, i.e. if they are being carted about a lot, or accessed frequently to get things out and put things in.

• They are more resistant to moisture (but never try to store anything that is actually damp in them!)

• They are easier to shift (because of their built-in handles).

• And – let’s face it – they look better!

4 Responses to “Plastic boxes: good for self storage?”

1. Mia Russell says:

   August 3, 2011 at 12:56 pm

   Hi Anthony

   Thanks for pointing out some of the benefits of plastic hire crates. Just to add to your commentary, plastic crates do become more competitive when you consider your can hire them from companies such as easycrate crate hire. It means that you don’t have to find space to store them when you don’t need them. Also, over the long term plastic crates are far more environmentally friendly than cardboard boxes.

   Both definitely have benefits, it just depends what you need.

   Thanks for the article!

2. Boxy says:

   March 22, 2012 at 4:30 pm

   In some ways plastic storage boxes are better than cardboard. However for the majority of us who will only use these sort of boxes once when moving the better option will be the cardboard box, due to its low cost and foldaway qualities.

3. Crate Hire UK says:

   May 28, 2013 at 11:31 am

   Plastic storage crates are a great idea if you are moving an office or home but can be expensive over cardboard. Crate hire is a good cost effective option to utilise the benefits of plastic crates at an affordable cost.

4. plasticboxshop says:

   September 10, 2013 at 9:33 pm

   Hi All,

   We often have companies and individuals contact us when they are trying to replace cardboard boxes that have worn with moisture and use. A lot of people store their items in their loft or garage, out of the way and out of site. They don’t need to access these items frequently, so the boxes can be stacked. A lot of plastic boxes are designed to be stacked and this makes them more durable when being stored. Due to the nature of cardboard, cardboard boxes are naturally weaker than plastic polypropylene boxes. Therefore if you want longevity then plastic is the better material and clear choice. With such a wide range of plastic storage boxes and a wealth of experience http://www.plasticboxshop.co.uk will always have something to suit the individuals needs.

   With regard to the environment, most plastic boxes can be recycled and some are made from all or part recycled plastic.

   When it comes to moving house, which I have done several times, a mix of cardboard and plastic is the best option. This takes into account the cost factor and also that afterwards the storage boxes can be used to organise a loft, garage, shed or playroom.

   Sort it, store it, move it or box it we’ve got it organised!