Will Movers Move Plastic Bins

Moving day has enough chaos without surprises. You’ve packed everything neatly into plastic bins — those sturdy, stackable containers that seem built for exactly this purpose — and now you’re wondering whether your moving company will actually load them onto the truck. The short answer is yes, most professional movers will move plastic bins. But like most things in life, the full story is a little more textured than that.

What Most Moving Companies Say About Plastic Bins

Professional movers deal with containers of every shape, size, and material. Plastic bins are generally accepted by the vast majority of moving companies, both local and long-distance. However, acceptance isn’t the same as unconditional enthusiasm.

Moving companies have a primary concern: liability. If a bin arrives cracked, warped, or with a broken lid, the mover needs to know whether the damage happened in transit or existed beforehand. Unlike cardboard boxes — which show clear signs of stress, crushing, or moisture — plastic bins don’t always telegraph their damage so obviously. That ambiguity creates friction between movers and clients.

What Movers Typically Look for in Plastic Bins

Before loading your bins, an experienced mover will mentally check a few things:

• Lid security — Is the lid snapping shut firmly, or is it popping open under pressure?
• Structural integrity — Are there existing cracks, stress marks, or warped sides?
• Weight distribution — Is the bin overpacked to the point where the base bows outward?
• Stackability — Can bins be safely stacked without toppling or crushing the contents below?
• Handles — Are the handles intact and strong enough for two-person lifts?

A bin that passes this informal checklist will almost always make it onto the truck without a single complaint. One that fails even one point may get flagged, repacked, or refused — depending on the mover’s policy.

Plastic Bins vs. Cardboard Boxes: The Real Difference

Think of cardboard boxes as the nervous, dependable intern and plastic bins as the confident veteran. Both get the job done, but they respond to stress very differently.

Plastic bins win on durability and sustainability. Cardboard boxes win on industry familiarity and damage transparency. Neither is inherently “wrong” — they just serve different priorities.

Types of Plastic Bins Movers Typically Accept

Not all plastic bins are created equal. The wide world of plastic storage runs from flimsy dollar-store tubs to heavy-duty industrial crates. Movers generally work comfortably with the following:

Standard Storage Bins (Most Common)

Brands like Rubbermaid, Sterilite, and IRIS fall into this category. These are the classic stackable bins found in most homes. They’re sturdy, have secure snap lids, and are easy to grip. Movers handle these every single day without issue.

Heavy-Duty Totes

These are the thick-walled, locking-lid bins often used for long-term storage or professional moves. They stack perfectly and resist road vibration well. If you’re renting plastic bins from a moving company’s affiliate service, this is usually what you get.

Open-Top Plastic Crates

Common in office moves, these lidless crates are accepted but must be packed carefully. Items can shift or fall out during transit. Movers may ask you to cover them with shrink wrap or moving blankets.

Oversized or Industrial Bins

Anything above roughly 27 gallons starts to raise eyebrows — not because of the material, but because of weight. An oversized bin packed with books can easily exceed 70–80 lbs, which creates safety risks for movers and potential floor damage in your home. Keep bins under 50 lbs whenever possible. That’s the golden rule most professionals follow.

When Movers Might Refuse Your Plastic Bins

There are situations where a mover will push back — and understanding them ahead of time saves a lot of frustration.

Damaged or Cracked Bins

A cracked bin is a liability grenade waiting to go off. If the bin fails mid-carry and drops its contents, the mover is on the hook for the damage. Most crews will ask you to repack damaged bins into cardboard or wrap them in stretch film before loading.

Overpacked or Overweight Bins

Weight is the most common point of conflict. A plastic bin packed with dense items — hardcover books, tools, canned food — can become dangerously heavy. Most professional movers follow OSHA guidelines that recommend single-person lifts not exceed 50 lbs. Beyond that, two-person lifts are required, slowing the whole move down.

Bins Without Secure Lids

A lid that pops off under pressure is a problem waiting to happen. Contents spill, items break, and the mover’s efficiency takes a hit. Either tape the lid down with packing tape or secure it with zip ties if the lid isn’t locking properly.

Specialty or Hazardous Contents

Plastic bins don’t magically exempt their contents from mover restrictions. Flammable materials, chemicals, paint, and perishable food are typically refused regardless of what container they’re packed in. The bin material is irrelevant when the content itself is the issue.

How to Pack Plastic Bins So Movers Love Them

The difference between a smooth move and a frustrating one often comes down to how well things are packed. Here’s a step-by-step approach that professional packers swear by:

Step 1: Choose the Right Bin for the Right Items

Match bin size to content density. Heavy items go in small bins; light items go in large bins. This single habit prevents nearly all weight-related complaints from movers.

Step 2: Line Bins with Bubble Wrap or Packing Paper

Plastic bins don’t cushion the way cardboard does. Adding a layer of bubble wrap or crumpled packing paper at the base protects fragile items from vibration during transit.

Step 3: Fill All Empty Spaces

Empty space inside a bin allows items to shift and knock against each other. Fill gaps with packing peanuts, rolled clothing, or towels. A well-packed bin feels solid when you shake it gently.

Step 4: Secure the Lid Firmly

Snap it shut. Then test it. If it opens with moderate pressure, reinforce it with two strips of packing tape across the lid. For heavy-duty totes with locking handles, engage every latch.

Step 5: Label Every Bin Clearly

Write the destination room and a brief contents description on tape placed on the lid and one side. Movers don’t unpack — they just place. Clear labels mean your kitchen bin doesn’t end up in the garage.

Step 6: Keep Weight Under 50 lbs

Weigh your bins on a bathroom scale before sealing them. If it’s too heavy for you to carry comfortably, it’s too heavy for a single mover. Redistribute contents into a second bin.

Renting Plastic Bins vs. Buying Your Own

An increasingly popular option is renting plastic moving bins from specialty services. Companies like Bin-It, Frogbox, and similar regional providers drop off a stack of heavy-duty plastic totes, you pack them, the movers move them, and then the rental company picks them up. It’s clean, efficient, and surprisingly affordable.

For a one-time move, renting often makes more financial and logistical sense. For frequent movers or people who want permanent home storage solutions, buying quality bins pays off over time.

Communicating with Your Moving Company

The most underrated part of any move is the conversation you have with your movers before the truck shows up. Don’t assume — ask. A quick phone call or email asking “Do you move plastic bins?” takes 30 seconds and prevents a lot of day-of drama.

When you speak with your mover, cover these points:

• Volume — How many bins are you moving? A truck packed with 80 bins needs different logistics than one with 15.
• Weight estimates — Give a rough sense of what’s inside heavy bins.
• Any damaged bins — Disclose them upfront so there are no liability disputes later.
• Special items inside bins — Fragile electronics or valuables inside bins may require extra handling fees.

Movers appreciate transparency. The moving industry runs on trust, and clients who communicate clearly almost always have better experiences — and often better pricing.

Long-Distance Moves and Plastic Bins

Local moves are forgiving. Long-distance moves are not. When your bins are riding in a truck for 12 or 20 hours across state lines, the physics of road vibration, temperature changes, and truck shifts become a real factor.

Plastic bins perform excellently on long-distance moves when packed correctly. The rigid walls resist compression far better than cardboard, which can sag and deform after hours on a truck. However, a few extra precautions help:

• Stack heavier bins on the bottom and lighter ones on top — basic physics, but often ignored.
• Wrap vulnerable bins in stretch film if you’re concerned about lids popping during transport.
• Avoid packing liquids in plastic bins for long hauls. Temperature changes cause expansion, and even a small spill can damage other belongings nearby.
• Confirm climate control if you’re shipping anything temperature-sensitive inside plastic bins — electronics, candles, vinyl records, and cosmetics are all vulnerable to heat.

Key Takeaways

• Most professional movers will move plastic bins without hesitation, provided the bins are intact, properly sealed, and reasonably weighted.
• Keep bin weight under 50 lbs — this is the single most important rule for avoiding mover pushback.
• Damaged, cracked, or lidless bins are the most common reasons movers ask for repacking before loading.
• Renting heavy-duty plastic totes from a moving bin service is a cost-effective, eco-friendly alternative to buying bins or using cardboard.
• Always communicate with your movers in advance about the volume and content of your bins — surprises on moving day cost time and money.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Will movers move plastic bins with lids that don’t lock?
Most movers will accept bins with snap-on lids, but they may ask you to secure them with packing tape before loading. An unsecured lid creates a spill risk mid-carry, which is a liability issue for the crew. Two strips of tape across the top takes 10 seconds and removes the problem entirely.

Q: How many plastic bins can I use for a standard one-bedroom move?
A typical one-bedroom move uses between 20 and 40 bins, depending on how much you own and how efficiently you pack. Mixing bins with a few wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes and specialty boxes for mirrors and artwork gives you the most flexible packing setup.

Q: Can I pack heavy items like books in plastic bins for a move?
Yes, but use small plastic bins for heavy items like books, tools, or canned goods. A small 15–20 litre bin packed with books keeps the weight manageable. Using a large bin for the same contents creates a mover safety hazard and dramatically increases the chance of bin failure.

Q: Do professional movers charge extra to move plastic bins?
Most movers don’t charge a separate fee for plastic bins versus cardboard boxes. You’re paying for labor, truck space, and time — the container type rarely changes the rate. However, extremely heavy bins may slow the move, which can add time-based charges if you’re on an hourly rate.

Q: Are plastic bins better than cardboard boxes for long-distance moving?
Plastic bins are generally more durable for long-distance moves because they resist moisture, compression, and road vibration better than cardboard. The tradeoff is that movers can’t always assess internal damage as easily, so packing with proper cushioning material inside the bins is especially important for long hauls.

Q: What size plastic bins are easiest for movers to handle?
The industry sweet spot is a 27-litre (7-gallon) to 64-litre (17-gallon) bin — large enough to pack meaningfully, small enough to stay under the 50-lb weight limit when filled with average household items. Bins in this range are also the easiest to stack uniformly in a truck.

Q: Can I mix plastic bins and cardboard boxes in the same move?
Absolutely — mixing containers is common and practical. Use plastic bins for heavier, denser items and cardboard boxes for irregularly shaped items, hanging clothes (wardrobe boxes), or fragile pieces that benefit from custom cushioning. Most movers load them side by side without any issue.