How to use plastic bins for storage - ultimate checklist

The moving and storage world is a 38 billion dollar industry. With our consumerism getting out of hand and our homes being more messy and cluttered by the minute, we are all in some dire need of extra space. That space can come in the form of a storage unit - a perfect place for storing those items you are not ready to get rid of just yet. And the best and easiest way to do that is to use plastic bins for storage. After all, you should aim to make your unit as organized as you want your home to be. Luckily, you have our team at your disposal. We are always willing to provide you with many different services, like the option of renting plastic moving tubs, as well as give you some pieces of advice that will be a godsend in your endeavor.

There is a big probability you might need to rent a storage unit sooner or later.

Storage facilities have taken over the US

Do you have any idea just how popular renting a storage unit has become nowadays? It suffices to say that the storage industry is a 38 billion dollar industry to make you realize just how much we rely on these units. Although if you are a first-time renter, then you aren't all too familiar with the peculiarities of the storage industry. Let us impart some wisdom by sharing some stats we think you should see!

• Self-storage facilities employ over 170,000 people.
• Only 10% of all storage facilities in the US are vacant.
• 16% of these facilities are located in rural areas, 32% in cities, and 52% in the suburbs.
• There are 1.7 billion square feet of rentable storage space.
• 9.4% of households rent a storage unit.
• On average, it costs $88.85 per month to rent a unit.

Clearly, should you opt for renting a storage unit, you wouldn't be the first person to do so. Now that the decision has been made that you too need a unit, all you have to do is decide what to fill your unit with. More precisely, whether you will opt for cardboard boxes or you will decide to use plastic bins for all its intents and purposes.

Plastic vs Cardboard - which wins out?

In this day and age where everyone is environmentally conscious, choosing the right materials seems to be of utmost importance. Actually, if you want to rent moving bins NYC, that's one of the first questions you will need to have answered. But there is a big chance you are not aware of all the differences that accompany plastic and cardboard. These two are like apples and oranges and, usually, everyone has a favorite. So here are some facts you need to look at before you decide whether to rent cardboard or plastic bins.

Plastic bins can be used for much more than just recycling purposes.

Plastic

• Namely, plastic is made from non-renewable resources (natural gas and crude oil.)
• Plastic takes five to ten years to decompose.
• It takes 91 percent less energy to recycle a pound of plastic than a pound of paper.

Paper

• Paper is made from renewable resources (timber.)
• Shockingly, paper generates 70 percent more air pollutants and 50 times more water pollutants than plastic.
• It takes only a month for the paper to decompose

Considering the fact you are reading this article, we assume you already opted for plastic bins. And that was a great decision. They are easily stackable, endurable, and they come in a variety of sizes. Besides, they are a great and eco-friendly solution for storing your belongings. And here's how you can use them.

Different types of plastic you should be aware of

Even though you might think otherwise, not all plastic is the same. In fact, there are as much as seven different plastic types, some of which can be used for making your storage bins. Since you have to know what you are renting and using, here's a breakdown of the aforementioned seven types.

1. PETE - polyethylene terephthalate
2. HDPE - high-density polyethylene
3. PVC - polyvinyl chloride
4. LDPE - low-density polyethylene
5. PP - polypropylene
6. PS - polystyrene
7. Other plastics

So, which type are you most likely to encounter when renting or buying plastic storage bins? The winning number is number 6. PS plastic is used for making toys, CD cases, costume jewelry, and hard packing, among other things. All that's great - but what are all the ways you can use plastic bins for storage? More precisely, what can you store in them?

How to use plastic bins for storage and what you can pack in them

Let's put it like this - there is almost a limitless amount of items which can be put inside plastic bins for storage. Because they are so stackable, you could fit dozens of these bins in a relatively small space. Whether you want to pack clothes when moving, store your kid's toys until the second baby comes along or just free up any space you can find, these bins will be just what the doctor ordered. If you are making a checklist of all the ways you can use plastic bins for storage, here are the items you should put on it:

• Clothes
• Accessories
• Holiday decorations
• Papers and crafts
• Important files
• Odds and ends
• Tools
• Sports equipment
• Cleaning supplies

From beans to different odds and ends, plastic bins can store multiple objects.As long as an item physically fits inside a plastic container, it can benefit from being placed inside one. It's clear you might not be able to use plastic bins for storage if what you want to store are large pieces of furniture. Then again, they also won't be able to fit inside good old cardboard boxes, so you might have to get creative. But if there is one thing we know for sure it's that the plastic is the future. In storage terms, all of your items will remain safe and sound as long as they are properly stored, of course. And that's something we'll leave up to you! We consider our part of the job to be done for now.