Buy Used Plastic Crates in Pittsburgh

Save Money and Help the Environment: Your Guide to Finding Used Plastic Crates in Pittsburgh

What you'll get from this guide: Learn exactly where to find affordable used plastic crates in Pittsburgh, how much you'll save, and why buying used is better for your wallet and the planet.

Why Buy Used Plastic Crates?

You'll save money and help the environment. Here's what you get:

• Save 50-80% compared to new crates
• Get the same quality and durability
• Help reduce plastic waste
• Support local businesses
• Find unique sizes not available new

Types of Crates You'll Find

Standard Milk Crates

• Size: 12 x 12 x 12 inches
• Best for: Storage, moving, organizing
• Price: $1-3 used vs $6-8 new

Produce Crates

• Size: Various, usually larger than milk crates
• Best for: Gardening, storage, display
• Price: $2-5 used vs $10-15 new

Industrial Stackable Crates

• Size: Multiple sizes available
• Best for: Heavy-duty storage, warehouse use
• Price: $5-15 used vs $20-40 new

Collapsible Crates

• Size: Fold flat when empty
• Best for: Moving, temporary storage
• Price: $3-8 used vs $15-25 new

How to Get the Best Deals

Buy in Bulk

• 10+ crates: Ask for 20% discount
• 50+ crates: Ask for 30% discount
• 100+ crates: Ask for 40% discount

Best Times to Buy

• End of month: Suppliers clear inventory
• After holidays: Retailers have surplus
• Spring cleaning season: More donations

Negotiation Tips

• Cash talks: Offer to pay immediately
• Pick up yourself: Save on delivery fees
• Buy imperfect crates: Small scratches = big savings

What to Check Before Buying

Inspect Each Crate

• Look for cracks: Especially at corners
• Check the bottom: Must be solid for stacking
• Test flexibility: Should bend slightly but not break
• Smell test: Avoid crates with strong odors

Ask These Questions

• How were they used? Food storage is usually cleanest
• Can I return damaged ones? Some sellers offer exchanges
• Are they food-safe? Important if storing food items

Pricing Guide

What You Should Pay (Used vs New)

• Milk crates: $1-3 (new: $6-8)
• Produce crates: $2-5 (new: $10-15)
• Industrial crates: $5-15 (new: $20-40)
• Specialty crates: $8-20 (new: $30-60)

Red Flags (Don't Pay These Prices)

• Milk crates over $4 each
• Damaged crates at full price
• Delivery fees over $50

Environmental Benefits

When you buy used, you:

• Prevent waste: Keep crates out of landfills
• Reduce manufacturing: Less new plastic production
• Lower carbon footprint: No shipping from factories
• Support recycling: Keep local reuse programs alive

Real impact: Buying 50 used crates instead of new saves approximately 200 pounds of plastic from being manufactured.

Getting Started

Week 1: Research

• Visit 3 recycling centers
• Call 5 local plastic companies
• Set up online marketplace alerts

Week 2: Compare

• Check quality at each source
• Compare prices
• Ask about bulk discounts

Week 3: Buy

• Start with small purchase to test quality
• Build relationships with best suppliers
• Plan for future needs

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don't Buy Without Inspecting

Why: You might get cracked or damaged crates Solution: Always see before you buy

Don't Ignore Size Requirements

Why: Wrong size crates are useless Solution: Measure your space first

Don't Buy More Than You Need

Why: Storage becomes expensive Solution: Start small and expand

Don't Forget About Cleaning

Why: Some crates need deep cleaning Solution: Budget time and supplies for cleaning

Your Next Steps

Measure your space - Know what sizes you need

Set your budget - Decide how much to spend

Visit RePackify - Check their current inventory

Start with recycling centers - Usually the best deals

Build supplier relationships - Get first access to new stock

Remember: Buying used plastic crates saves money and helps the environment. Start small, inspect carefully, and build relationships with reliable suppliers. You'll soon have all the storage you need at a fraction of the cost.