The prices for the various sizes and shapes of plastic storage boxes are generally pretty close to the same from one manufacturer to the next, where the noticeable price differences come into play are often when comparing a more reliably produced product to one of lesser quality. This is often the point at which many people think that all storage boxes are the same and opt for cheapest one, without checking that they come from a trusted manufacturer. This often comes back to haunt them when the container breaks, most likely when moving it full of items bound for storage.
Shopping among the more trusted names like U.S. Plastics and Rubbermaid, can make all the difference in the longevity and durability of plastic storage boxes. The materials these boxes are made from affect not only their overall durability, but different materials will have very different characteristics and behaviors in cold environments and high-humidity situations, making certain ones more likely to become brittle or crack or deform and allow moisture inside leading to mold or worse.
Most of the major retail locations carry discount and name brand small and large plastic storage boxes with lids, and while the price difference is frequently only a few dollars between the two, it is much better to stick with the brands that are known for their reliability. In the event that you cannot find the reliable brands in your area, there is always the option of visiting the manufacturers’ websites, at www.USPlastics.com and www.Rubbermaid.com, and ordering direct from the factory. These websites also have information on what retailers carry their products and where to find them.
Large plastic storage boxes, as large as 30-gallon capacity (large enough to store the cheap treadmills for sale you purchased at the local yard sale), are pretty common, and the size and shapes range from small plastic storage boxes for food, sandwiches and other small items to sizes large enough to store or move just about anything short of actual furniture.