How to use this guide
With hundreds of different types of plastic boxes available to choose from at the Plastic Box Shop, we thought we’d offer you a bit of help. Throughout this guide we will recommend the most appropriate type of plastic box for the setting you plan to use it in as well as the purpose for which you plan to use it. While we can’t always account for the most appropriate size and colour (these often come down to preference), we can make recommendations based on the intended function of the box. We will list a few of our more popular, or our favourite boxes in that range, before inviting you to browse our full range.
Plastic boxes present the perfect option for storage and transportation of goods, whether this be at home, the office, school, a sports club, a hospital or even a nightclub.
Why plastic?
Our plastic boxes are injection-moulded for accurate, consistent dimensions — this means many boxes can be stacked together easily. Plastic is also hard-wearing and weather-resistant, making it a more appropriate choice for storage than a cardboard box, for example, which will go soggy at the slightest contact with water.
You can store one of our plastic boxes in a damp garage for the best part of a decade and still find the contents of it unaffected, as they are impervious to moisture. When your box does eventually start to look a bit worn and battered, disposing of it is easy and ecological, as it is fully recyclable.
As a result of our boxes being waterproof, they are very easy to clean with soap and water, and will dry easily. They are a hygienic option, meaning that as well as being suitable for storing old clothes or personal effects, they are just as handy for transporting food and perishables. Our boxes aren’t just functional though: they’re also visually attractive, available in a selection of different sizes and colours so that you can store goods for
What size plastic box do I need?
We stock plastic boxes in an extensive range of sizes, and will generally list our boxes’ capacity in litres. This is the most efficient way to measure the storage capabilities of a box as it accounts for all available space inside. We also measure the internal and external size of the box so that you can measure your items specifically to be sure that they will fit inside, as well as measure your storage space to be sure that the box fits in it.
For example, our standard large box stores 50 litres, and has an internal length/width/height of 46cm/31cm/28cm. This means that inside your box you can store items that are up to 46cm long, 31cm wide and 28cm high (you may store taller items if you do not intend to use a lid). However, you also need to take into account the external size of the box so that you can be sure your room has the space to store it. The standard large size box has an external L/W/H of 58cm/40.5cm/31.5cm, which, as you will notice, is much larger than that of the internal size — so always check the two sizes against each other.
Measure the L/W/H of your items, rounding up to the nearest centimetre, and be sure that your box is big enough to contain these measurements. To maintain the structural integrity of your plastic box, it is recommended that you store the box with its lid on.
Which features should I consider?
Plastic boxes have more features than you might think. Here are a few to help you make a decision as to which box you choose.
- Colour: Clear boxes allow you to see the contents of a box, which makes it more convenient to find different items when you have lots to store. However, coloured boxes will look more attractive on a shelf and allow you to organise items based on colour of box, which can be handy in a shared environment.
- Strength: If you're storing something particularly heavy, make sure to choose a robust box so that the weight of the item doesn’t cause the box to buckle. You should also consider the strength of a box if you are storing fragile items. Consider using a heavy-duty box if you are looking to store porcelain or china crockery, for example.
- Lid: As well as keeping the contents inside the box and helping to protect your items from moisture, dust, dirt or any other substance which may damage them, the lid can actually reinforce the strength of the box, making it much less susceptible to breaking.
- Castors: Some boxes are available with castors for easy transportation. This is particularly useful if you are storing heavy equipment that would be difficult to carry by hand.
- Handles: Choosing a box with handles will make it much easier to carry, which is useful for large storage boxes. And because handles help you keep boxes level, they are useful for carrying items such as cakes.
Which type of plastic box do I need?
While we will go over our wide selection of plastic boxes in the following sections, here is a quick guide to the most appropriate type of box for your contents.
Food
It is best to keep fresh food in a box no larger than the contents and with a lockable lid, so the contents don’t have space to rattle around the box or even fall out. Don’t store piping hot food in a closed container as it will cause an excess of condensation and make your food soggy once it cools down. Use a plastic box with a pressure-release valve/ventilation hole if you intend to microwave the contents or you want to seal the box while the food is hot (you could use a standard container if you first allow your food to cool). For cakes and fresh bakes, make sure that your food isn’t touching the sides of the box so that it is not ruined when you come to remove it from the box.
Clothes
For storing clothes, you should first consider where you are looking to store your plastic boxes, as this will dictate which box is the most appropriate for the job. If you are looking to store the box under your bed, our under-bed storage boxes are very handy in that their flip-lid opens at either side, so you can access your clothes without pulling the whole box from under the bed. If you want to store your clothes in a different room or in the garage, choose a box with a secure lid, as the seal will eliminate the risk of your clothes becoming damp, damaged by moths or even falling out if the box is bashed. .
Tools
Though you can use a regular plastic box for tools — a 9 litre box with a lockable lid would be a great place to store tools in-between uses — we also stock a range of dedicated tool boxes. The traditional tool box shape is probably the most effective design, with enough depth to store plenty of tools and a sturdy design to combat wear and tear. One of our smart designs is a step-stool that has a generous amount of room under the step for tool storage.
Crockery
For storing crockery, it is recommended that you use a heavy-duty plastic box. A thicker box will absorb more shock energy, so there is less chance of damage to crockery if the box is bumped in transit. These boxes will be particularly useful if you’re in the mobile catering business, as they offer adequate storage room and good protection for fragile cargo.
Chemicals
For simple bathroom cleaning chemicals, you will be fine storing them in a standard plastic box, but be sure to choose one with a lid so that children can’t get inside the box and come into contact with chemicals. For industrial chemicals however, you should look to store them in a heavy-duty plastic box with a lockable lid. Our hog boxes have pallet feet for use with standard lifting equipment and can be stacked and bound together, making them perfect for storage and transportation of chemicals.
Christmas decorations
Christmas decorations only make an appearance for a month out of the year, so you must be sure to keep them stored appropriately for the other eleven months. As well as the risk of baubles and ornaments being smashed, decorations can become damaged with dampness if not boxed appropriately. Your Christmas lights can also become tangled and mixed beyond retrieval if not organised properly. For small tree decorations, a compartment box would be perfect. These boxes come in a range of sizes so you can store everything from small ornaments to baubles. For bigger decorations, you should use our larger plastic storage boxes, or perhaps even plastic drawer units for keeping Christmas lights separate.