What Is An Alternative To Cardboard Boxes For Moving?
There are many great alternatives to cardboard boxes for moving. You can use plastic storage bins, suitcases, duffel bags, laundry baskets, dresser drawers, and even rent reusable moving containers. These options often save money, protect your items better, and are more eco-friendly than traditional cardboard boxes.
Moving doesn't have to mean buying dozens of cardboard boxes that you'll throw away after one use. Smart movers know there are better ways to pack and transport their belongings. This guide will show you the best alternatives that can make your move easier, cheaper, and better for the environment.
Why Look For Alternatives To Cardboard Boxes?
Before we dive into the alternatives, let's talk about why you might want to skip cardboard boxes altogether.
Problems With Cardboard Boxes
Cardboard boxes have several downsides that make them less than ideal for moving:
- They break easily - Cheap boxes can rip, collapse, or fall apart when wet
- They're wasteful - Most boxes get thrown away after one use
- They cost money - Buying enough boxes for a whole house adds up quickly
- They're not waterproof - Rain or snow can destroy your boxes and everything inside
- They're hard to carry - No built-in handles make them awkward to lift
Benefits Of Using Alternatives
When you choose alternatives to cardboard boxes, you get several advantages:
- Better protection for your belongings
- Money savings by using items you already own
- Easier carrying with built-in handles and wheels
- Eco-friendly options that can be reused many times
- Less waste going to landfills
Best Alternatives To Cardboard Boxes For Moving
Let's explore the top alternatives that can replace cardboard boxes in your next move.
Plastic Storage Bins And Containers
Plastic storage bins are the best alternative to cardboard boxes. They're lightweight, yet very strong and sturdy, waterproof and weather-resistant, and very easy to stack and carry.
Why plastic bins are great:
- They don't rip, collapse, or crush like cardboard
- They protect your items from water and weather
- They stack perfectly for easy loading
- You can see what's inside clear bins
- They're reusable for storage after your move
What to pack in plastic bins:
- Books and documents
- Electronics and gadgets
- Kitchen items and dishes
- Bathroom supplies
- Clothes and linens
Cost: New plastic bins cost $10-30 each, but you can often find them cheaper at thrift stores or garage sales. Research from the Federal Reserve shows that many Americans look for ways to manage moving costs, making reusable alternatives attractive.
Rental Plastic Moving Bins
If buying plastic bins seems expensive, you can rent them instead. Companies like U-Haul, Stack, and Bin-It rent reusable plastic moving boxes that you conveniently pick up and return to the same location.
How rental bins work:
- Order online and choose your package size
- Bins get delivered to your home
- Pack your items like normal boxes
- Move with the bins
- Company picks them up at your new home
Rental costs: Most companies charge $1.50-6.00 per bin per week. A studio apartment typically needs 15 bins, while a house might need 50-100 bins.
Popular rental companies:
- U-Haul Ready-To-Go Boxes
- Stack Moves
- Bin-It
- Gorilla Bins (NYC)
- Perfect Crates
Suitcases And Rolling Luggage
Suitcases are great for packing clothes and linens, and most people already own them. They're built to protect contents and have wheels for easy transport.
Best items for suitcases:
- Clothes and shoes
- Heavy books
- Fragile dishes (wrap them well)
- Personal documents
- Small electronics
Pro tips for using suitcases:
- Use hard-shell suitcases for fragile items
- Pack heavy items in wheeled suitcases
- Fill every pocket and compartment
- Don't overpack - you still need to lift them
Duffel Bags And Sports Bags
Duffel bags are flexible and can hold oddly shaped items that don't fit well in boxes. Duffel bags often offer lightweight flexibility and convenience, making them perfect for certain moving needs.
What works well in duffel bags:
- Pillows and bedding
- Clothes and coats
- Sports equipment
- Stuffed animals and toys
- Cleaning supplies
Duffel bag advantages:
- They're lightweight and flexible
- Easy to carry with shoulder straps
- Can squeeze into tight spaces
- Fold up small when empty
- Usually cheaper than suitcases
Laundry Baskets And Hampers
Hampers are great for packing clothes and linens. Both plastic and wicker baskets work well for moving, and you probably already have them at home.
Perfect for laundry baskets:
- Clothes and towels
- Cleaning supplies
- Toys and games
- Kitchen utensils
- Bathroom items
Basket benefits:
- Built-in handles for easy carrying
- Stackable design
- You already own them
- Great for bulky, lightweight items
- Useful in your new home
Dresser Drawers As Moving Containers
Here's a clever trick many people don't think of: leave your dresser drawers and desk drawers full of the things they already hold and transport them to your new home as they are.
How to move with drawers:
- Remove drawers from the furniture
- Wrap them with plastic wrap or tape
- Carry them separately from the furniture
- This works for desk drawers too
What stays in drawers:
- Clothes and undergarments
- Office supplies
- Small household items
- Jewelry and accessories
Large Trash Bags (Use Carefully)
While garbage bags tend to be used as a last resort and can tear in transit, heavy-duty bags can work for specific items when used properly.
When trash bags work:
- Light, soft items only
- Clothes and linens
- Pillows and bedding
- As a backup option
Important safety tips:
- Use only heavy-duty bags
- Don't overfill them
- Double-bag heavy items
- Avoid using for anything fragile or valuable
Vacuum Storage Bags
Vacuum bags are efficient for packing bulky belongings in a couple of vacuum bags instead of several big cardboard boxes.
Perfect for vacuum bags:
- Comforters and blankets
- Winter coats and jackets
- Extra pillows
- Seasonal clothes
- Stuffed animals
Vacuum bag benefits:
- Saves huge amounts of space
- Protects from moisture and dust
- Easy to carry when compressed
- Great for long-term storage
Unconventional But Effective Alternatives
Coolers And Ice Chests
Coolers are waterproof and have sturdy handles, making them great for certain items.
What to pack in coolers:
- Cleaning supplies and chemicals
- Bathroom toiletries
- Canned goods and dry foods
- Heavy items that fit
Buckets And Large Containers
Whether plastic or metal, buckets are very suitable for transporting bathroom items, cleaning supplies, detergents, and other household goods that can be easily spilled.
Bucket benefits:
- Waterproof protection
- Built-in handles
- Stack well
- Perfect for liquids and chemicals
Picnic Baskets And Tote Bags
These work well for lightweight items and add a personal touch to your move.
Good for baskets and totes:
- Kitchen utensils and gadgets
- Office supplies
- Children's toys
- Craft supplies
Eco-Friendly Moving Solutions
Biodegradable Packing Materials
Instead of bubble wrap and foam peanuts, try these green alternatives:
- Biodegradable packing peanuts made from cornstarch
- Corrugated bubble wrap made from recycled cardboard
- Air pillows made from recyclable materials
- Newspaper and old magazines for wrapping fragile items
Reusable Moving Supplies
Moving to a new home is an opportunity to make positive changes by choosing sustainable alternatives to traditional packing materials.
Reusable packing supplies:
- Cloth moving blankets instead of plastic wrap
- Reusable furniture covers
- Fabric bags for odd-shaped items
- Your own towels and blankets for wrapping
Tips For Successful Moving Without Cardboard
Planning Your Alternative Moving Strategy
- Take inventory of what containers you already own
- Match containers to contents - heavy items in wheeled containers
- Plan your packing order - pack least-used items first
- Label everything clearly so you know what's in each container
Protecting Your Items
Even with sturdy alternatives, you still need to protect fragile items:
- Wrap breakables in towels, blankets, or bubble wrap
- Fill empty spaces with soft items
- Keep heavy items on the bottom
- Don't overpack any container
Working With Your Moving Company
If you're hiring professional movers, let them know about your alternative containers:
- Some companies require items to be in boxes
- Others are fine with any secure container
- Ask about their policy when getting quotes
- Professional packing services can help with any container type
Regional Moving Considerations
Local Moves
For local moves within your city, alternatives work especially well because:
- Less handling means less chance of damage
- You can make multiple trips if needed
- Weather is less of a concern for short distances
Long-Distance Moves
When using a long-distance moving company, consider:
- Items may be transferred between trucks
- Choose more protective alternatives
- Make sure containers can be securely closed
Specialty Moving Situations
Senior Moving
For senior moving situations, alternatives can be especially helpful:
- Lighter containers are easier to handle
- Clear plastic bins help identify contents quickly
- Familiar suitcases feel less overwhelming
Apartment Moves
Apartment movers often work with tight spaces where alternatives shine:
- Flexible containers fit through narrow doorways
- Stackable bins work well in small elevators
- Multiple trips are easier with wheeled containers
Emergency Moves
During emergency moves, you might not have time to buy boxes:
- Use whatever containers you have on hand
- Trash bags work for non-fragile items in a pinch
- Focus on protecting your most important belongings
Storage Solutions After Your Move
Many alternatives to cardboard boxes work great for ongoing storage solutions in your new home:
Plastic bins organize closets, garages, and basements Suitcases store seasonal items under beds Vacuum bags save space in closets Baskets keep rooms organized and tidy
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Don't Use These Items For Moving
- Regular garbage bags for anything heavy or sharp
- Damaged containers that might break during the move
- Containers without lids for loose items
- Very old suitcases that might fall apart
Packing Mistakes To Avoid
- Mixing heavy and light items in the same container
- Overpacking containers so they're too heavy to lift
- Forgetting to secure lids and zippers
- Not labeling alternative containers clearly
Environmental Impact Of Your Choice
Choosing alternatives to cardboard boxes isn't just good for your wallet - it can significantly reduce environmental impact. Harvard researchers have highlighted the urgent need for sustainable packaging alternatives, noting that plastic pollution affects both human health and the environment.
Cardboard box environmental concerns:
- 110 million metric tons of paper and cardboard waste was thrown out in the United States in 2019
- Most boxes are used once and thrown away
- Production requires cutting down trees
- Transportation of empty boxes wastes fuel
Environmental benefits of alternatives:
- Reusable containers eliminate waste
- Biodegradable packing materials break down naturally according to EPA recycling data
- Using items you already own reduces new purchases
- Less packaging waste goes to landfills
Final Thoughts
Moving without cardboard boxes isn't just possible - it's often better than using traditional boxes. From rental plastic bins that protect your belongings better to suitcases you already own, there are plenty of smart alternatives that can save you money and reduce waste.
The key insight comes from U.S. Census data showing that millions of Americans move each year, and the average cost to move is $3,020 according to recent industry surveys. Using alternatives can help reduce these costs while protecting your belongings better than cardboard ever could.
Whether you're planning a local move in Edmonton or moving across the country, these alternatives can make your move smoother and more eco-friendly. Start collecting containers now, and you'll be amazed at how much money you can save while protecting your belongings better than cardboard boxes ever could.
Ready to plan your cardboard-free move? Check out our moving checklist to make sure you don't forget anything important, or contact our team to learn how we can help with your upcoming relocation.
