Reusable Moving Boxes vs. Cardboard: Cost, Convenience & Benefits
Moving apartments is exciting. Buying 30 cardboard boxes, taping every single one shut, and then figuring out what to do with them after unpacking? Not so much.
Between packing supplies, moving costs, and the mountain of cardboard left behind, moving can get expensive, time-consuming, and pretty wasteful. There’s actually an alternative that more renters should know about: reusable moving box rentals.
Instead of buying cardboard boxes you’ll probably use once, you can rent sturdy plastic moving crates that get delivered to your door and picked up when you’re done.
Is it actually worth it? Let’s compare!
How Much Time Do You Really Spend on Moving Boxes?
Think about everything that goes into using traditional cardboard boxes. First, you have to figure out how many you need, then comes the trip to buy them (and probably another trip when you realize you underestimated how many things you own).
After that, you’re assembling, taping, packing, unpacking, breaking everything down, and figuring out where all that cardboard is going.
Even if you score free boxes from a friend or local store, there’s still time involved in collecting and preparing them.
Here’s where reusable moving boxes make things easier. With a rental service, you typically:
- Choose a box package based on the size of your apartment.
- Have the sturdy boxes delivered directly to your door, already assembled.
- Pack, move, and unpack like normal.
- Have the empty boxes picked up from your new place.
No box shopping, no assembly, and no pile of cardboard boxes sitting in your apartment for three weeks because you keep forgetting to take it downstairs.
Plus, if you’re moving into an apartment building with limited recycling space, that last part is a pretty big perk.
Ok so, What’s the Actual Cost?
Cardboard boxes might seem like the cheaper option, especially if you’re able to find some for free. But if you’re buying everything new, the total can add up quickly.
Let’s say you’re moving out of a one-bedroom apartment and need approximately 25–30 boxes.
| Expense | Estimated cost |
| 25-30 cardboard moving boxes | $60-$120 |
| Packing tape | $10-$20 |
| Other packing supplies (bubble wrap, plastic wrap, etc.) | $15-$30 |
| Estimated total | $85-$170 |
Now compare that with renting reusable moving boxes.
For example, our Austin-area partner Bronko Box currently lists a one-bedroom package with 26 boxes and moving wheels starting at $147 for the first week, with additional weeks available for an extra fee. Eligible Austin-area orders include delivery and pickup.
Depending on your move, buying cardboard may still cost less, but once you factor in convenience, supplies, and the time spent getting rid of everything afterward, renting can be a pretty competitive option. You’ll thank yourself when you spend 10 hrs on a move & you don’t have to worry about where to put all of the said moving supplies, instead you can plop on the couch to start enjoying your rent.
The best way to compare? Look at the total cost for your move, including rental length, delivery fees, packing materials, and any additional weeks you might need. See more of our Concierge partners & exclusive discounts below!
What About Protecting Your Stuff?
We’ve all experienced the cardboard box that’s seen better days. The bottom starts sagging, the corners get crushed, or the tape suddenly decides it’s done participating.
Cardboard can work perfectly well for moving, especially when it’s new, properly packed, and kept dry. Reused or overloaded boxes can lose their strength, leading to a higher chance the stuff inside might get ruined.
Reusable moving crates are generally made from rigid plastic, with sturdy sides and lids designed for stacking and repeated use.
That can be especially helpful when you’re moving dishes, books, kitchen supplies, and other belongings you don’t want getting crushed under a stack of boxes. You’ll still want to wrap fragile items and pack carefully, but the added structure is a huge bonus.
A Lower-Waste Way to Move
One of the biggest perks of renting reusable moving boxes is pretty simple: you don’t have to throw them away after one move.
Traditional cardboard boxes can be recycled and reused, which is great! In reality though, not every box makes it to another move, especially if it gets wet, torn, or damaged.
Reusable crates are designed to be used by multiple customers over many moves. After pickup, the rental company can clean them and prepare them for the next renter.
Of course, plastic crates have their own manufacturing and transportation footprint. Their environmental benefit depends on how many times they’re reused and how efficiently they’re delivered and collected.
For renters looking to cut down on single-use moving supplies, they’re definitely worth considering.
Meet Our Reusable Moving Box Partners
Through Smart City Concierge, we work with moving-related partners that can help make the packing process easier.
reBOX Move — Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
For the Dallas-Fort Worth area, these reusable moving totes are delivered and picked up, so you can skip buying and assembling cardboard boxes. ReBOX lists residential packages starting at $129, depending on package and rental period. They even offer free box delivery within their service area! Use code SMARTCITY and get $10 off your first move!
ReloCrate — Denver, CO
Reusable moving crates and dollies for Denver-area moves, with delivery and pickup in eligible service areas. A convenient option for skipping the cardboard shopping trip! Use code smartcity10 to get 10% off a package of your choice!
Bronko Box — Austin, TX
Bronko Box offers reusable moving box packages sized for studios through larger homes for the Austin, TX area. Boxes arrive assembled, and the company picks them up when you’re finished. Studio packages currently start at $112 for one week. Fun fact: every one of their boxes is used over 400 times, not thrown in the trash after a few uses. Use code SMARTCITY10 to get 10% off orders over $95!
Partner availability, pricing, delivery areas, and any Smart City client offers may vary. Ask our Concierge team about current options!
TLDR… should I get cardboard or do a reusable service?
If you already have access to plenty of free, sturdy cardboard boxes, buying or renting new ones might not make sense.
If you’re starting from scratch, short on time, or simply don’t want to deal with the cardboard mess aftermath, reusable moving boxes could make your move a whole lot easier!
When you’re juggling lease paperwork, movers, utilities, furniture, and everything else that comes with moving, having one less thing to worry about sounds pretty good. Moving is stressful enough, go the reusable route for less cardboard cuts, broken items and feel good about your choice for a low-waste move!
Moving Soon? Smart City Can Help.
Whether you’re still searching for your next apartment or getting ready to pack, Smart City is here to make moving a little easier.
Our agents can help you find an apartment that fits your needs, and our Concierge team can connect you with resources and partners to help with the moving process.
Ready to make your move? Tell us what you’re looking for, and we’ll connect you with a Smart City agent.
