For most Milwaukee moves, renting plastic totes costs about the same as buying cardboard boxes — and saves significant time and hassle. The real cost of cardboard includes boxes, tape, markers, and packing paper, plus disposal time after. Tote rentals replace all of that with one call and free pickup when you're done.
The real cost of cardboard boxes
Most people underestimate what cardboard actually costs. The boxes themselves are just the start. A typical 2–3 bedroom Milwaukee move needs 40–60 boxes. Here's what that actually runs:
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Medium boxes (qty 30) | $45–$75 |
| Large boxes (qty 20) | $50–$80 |
| Tape (3–4 rolls) | $15–$25 |
| Packing paper or bubble wrap | $20–$50 |
| Markers for labeling | $5–$10 |
| Time to break down and dispose | 2–4 hours |
| Total (materials only) | $135–$240 |
And that's before you factor in the 2–4 hours of breaking down boxes and hauling them to a recycling bin or curb after the move — when you're already exhausted.
The cost of renting totes in Milwaukee
Milwaukee Tote Rentals charges a flat fee for a 2-week rental, which includes delivery, pickup, and a hand truck dolly. No tape. No supplies to buy. No disposal afterward.
| Package | Totes | 2-Week Price |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment | 30 | $159 |
| Home | 50 | $265 |
| Large Home | 75 | $398 |
| Estate | 100 | $530 |
For a typical 2–3 bedroom Milwaukee move, the Home package ($265) lands squarely in the same range as buying cardboard — and you get more totes, better protection, and no cleanup at the end.
Head-to-head comparison
| Factor | Renting Totes | Buying Cardboard |
|---|---|---|
| Assembly required | ✓ None | ✗ Fold and tape each box |
| Tape needed | ✓ None | ✗ 3–4 rolls minimum |
| Waterproof | ✓ Yes | ✗ No — collapses when wet |
| Stack uniformly in truck | ✓ Yes — perfect stack | ✗ Variable sizes, awkward gaps |
| Crush resistance | ✓ Heavy-duty rigid walls | ✗ Compresses under weight |
| Cleanup after move | ✓ One call, we pick up | ✗ 2–4 hours breaking down |
| Eco footprint | ✓ Reused ~400 times | ✗ Single use, landfill after |
| Dolly included | ✓ Free with every rental | ✗ Rent separately |
| Total cost (2–3BR move) | ~$265 all-in | ~$135–$240 + time |
When cardboard makes sense
There are situations where cardboard wins. If you're moving a very small amount — a few boxes from a dorm room, for instance — sourcing free cardboard from grocery stores or buy-nothing groups is hard to beat on cost. Cardboard also works fine for items that need to stay boxed in storage long-term, where a rental return isn't practical.
But for a full household move — studio and up — renting totes is competitive on cost and significantly better on practicality. The time savings alone on both ends of the move are worth it for most people.
The environmental case
Each of our heavy-duty totes is reused approximately 400 times before being recycled. A single 50-tote rental displaces 50 cardboard boxes from the waste stream — boxes that are typically used once and then broken down for recycling or landfill. For a household that moves every few years, the cumulative impact of switching to reusable totes is meaningful.
Common questions
Are reusable moving totes cheaper than cardboard boxes?
For most Milwaukee moves, renting totes costs about the same or less than buying quality cardboard boxes once you factor in the full cost: boxes, tape, markers, and packing paper. A typical 2–3 bedroom move needs 40–60 boxes plus $80–$150 in supplies, totaling $135–$240. Our Home package (50 totes, 2 weeks) is $265 — and includes free delivery, free pickup, and a free dolly.
What are the advantages of plastic moving totes over cardboard?
Plastic moving totes are waterproof, stackable, and require no assembly or tape. They don't collapse under weight, protect contents better in wet weather, and stack perfectly in any moving truck. After the move, we pick them up — no breaking down boxes, no recycling trips.
How many times are moving totes reused?
Heavy-duty reusable moving totes are typically reused 400 or more times before being recycled. Compared to single-use cardboard, this dramatically reduces waste per move.
Is it worth renting moving totes for a small move?
Yes. Even for a studio or 1-bedroom move, our Apartment package (30 totes, $159) includes free delivery, pickup, and a dolly. The convenience alone — no tape, no assembly, no disposal — is worth it for most movers.
Skip the cardboard. Book your Milwaukee delivery.
Same day and next day delivery available across greater Milwaukee.
(414) 426-8481