Storage: cardboard vs plastic

What is the difference between plastic and cardboard boxes when it comes to storage in your warehouse? It all depends on what you want to store and how you want to store it. In this post, we’ll look at how the different boxes can be used for different purposes.

> The difference between plastic and cardboard storage boxes.

What type of box should you choose? That’s the big question. There can be a lot of divided opinions. In the end, it really depends on what you want in the box and what your own personal preference is.

Generally speaking, cardboard boxes are strong, economical and recyclable. Plastic boxes, on the other hand, are durable, waterproof and recyclable. So how do you choose?

> Paper boxes VS plastic boxes

When choosing your boxes, it ultimately depends on what you want to use them for – and perhaps what will happen to the box afterwards.

Both may even work as environmentally friendly solutions, depending on what you do with the boxes and how they are treated.

To start, let’s look at cardboard boxes with lids as a storage option for your warehouse. Some of the benefits of these boxes can be that they provide good protection for your products and that they can be stacked. In addition, they are economical and they are easy to label as you can easily write on them.

Paper storage boxes can be used for many different purposes. Firstly, most cardboard boxes can be used both for storage and for shipping goods. They are very good for shipping more delicate products like books, DVDs and mugs/cups and more. With the right materials, they can also be used for wine bottles.

Paper boxes come in so many different variations and sizes that they can be used for storing and shipping most products. They are available as long crates, flat crates, pallet-adapted crates and crates for shipping and special purposes. It is also possible to find boxes that can be adjusted in height. Here you can take a look at our telescopic crates.

You can also use cardboard boxes for storing documents, and there are boxes specially made for filing.

There are also corrugated boxes for your storage. Cardboard picking boxes are perfect for organising your shelving systems or storing small items in your warehouse. They are a more affordable solution than plastic pick boxes.

If you have a need to store papers or posters in your warehouse, there is a solution for that too. Here it is relevant to look at cardboard tubes for shipping. Paper tubes are available as round tubes, square tubes and triangular tubes.

Although there are many advantages to cardboard boxes when it comes to storage, there are also certain disadvantages. Paper boxes can be both strong and affordable, but they can be less durable and, most importantly, they are not waterproof.

This is where it’s relevant to look at plastic boxes. The unit price may be higher than cardboard boxes, but they also have their advantages.

Firstly, plastic boxes are stronger and more durable than cardboard boxes. Therefore, they can also be stacked higher, which can help with space saving. In addition, you can also store heavier or more specialised products in plastic boxes.

The ultimate advantage, however, is that plastic boxes are waterproof, making them ideal for storing products that need to be protected from moisture or similar damaging factors.

There are plastic boxes for all types of needs, whether it is light to medium weight products or the slightly heavier products, there are plastic boxes that can handle them and provide protection against moisture.

Plastic boxes are also great for storing small components, office supplies or other small items. Here, plastic works as a great solution as the boxes can be used again and again. In fact, plastic is more durable over time than cardboard.

Although plastic boxes are great for many purposes, there is one major drawback to using these. While they are really good in situations where they are reused, they are not very suitable for one-off use. It simply doesn’t make economic or environmental sense. As an e-commerce business, for example, it doesn’t pay to send your shipments in a plastic box, as e-commerce businesses have many shipments to customers during the day. Therefore, a more affordable and environmentally friendly solution is obviously needed.

That said, they are well suited in a warehouse for storing products or items over a long period of time, where the boxes can be used again and again. In this way, they can also be an environmentally friendly solution, but only if they are reused several times.

> Different types of storage boxes and picking boxes

Pick boxes

Pick boxes are ideal for when you need to organise your shelving system in the warehouse and need to sort your products by type or colour. For this purpose, there is a solution in both cardboard and plastic. Here, it depends very much on how you choose to organise your warehouse. For example, if you need to stack your picking boxes, then it is often a good idea to go with the more durable plastic box. On the other hand, if you are looking for a more environmentally friendly and affordable solution, we can suggest cardboard picking boxes made from a minimum of 75% recycled cardboard.

Cardboard and plastic storage boxes

At RAJA we offer many different storage solutions for your warehouse. When it comes to cardboard boxes, it is possible to choose from many different types. For example, it makes a difference whether you choose single, double or 3-layer corrugated cardboard. It all depends a little on whether you want to use them for shipping or storage, and on how sturdy boxes you need. Paper boxes, as mentioned earlier, are not as tough or resistant to moisture as plastic boxes can be. Therefore, it may also be interesting to look at the options available in plastic boxes for storage. Euro boxes are pallet-adaptable and stackable.

Lids can also be added to the boxes. All this can be an advantage if you need to store your boxes on Euro pallets and distribute your boxes optimally on the pallet. On the other hand, if you need a plastic box that can be easily carried around the warehouse, transparent plastic storage boxes could be an option. They have an ergonomic handle that makes them easy to move around. As with the euro boxes, they are stackable, but the advantage of these boxes is that they are transparent, so it is easy to see what is inside.

More information about storage in warehouses
For further information, please contact our packaging specialists on tel. 44 58 77 00 or e-mail: info@rajapack.dk.