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To Buy or Not To Buy: Plastic Book Bins (plus DIY labels)

ByChristi Fultz

Okay y’all, I did it. I took the plunge and ordered a class set of plastic book bins in our colors for reading workshop. I’ve been using cardboard ones for six years now. They’ve lived a good life and have the battle scars of masking tape and staples to prove it. Plus, they’re ugly brown. It was time for them to go.


I had my eye on the Really Good Stuff bins all summer. I finally convinced myself to take plunge and spend the money instead of continuing to wait for a coupon code that was good on orders under $200. When the box arrived, I danced around the living room gleefully. Hooray!! Then I stuck them in the closet until I could trudge out to school with them. I am so glad I waited because I found a STEAL on very similar bins somewhere else and they had much cheaper shipping too. Check this out.


Classroom library book bins review Really Good Stuff and Steps Into Literacy
very similar colors!



Classroom library book bins review Really Good Stuff and Steps Into Literacy
nearly identical design



Classroom library book bins review Really Good Stuff and Steps Into Literacy
same size inside



Can you tell the difference between $141 for 25 bins and $70 for 24 bins? Me either. That’s like 50% off, teacher friends!

So…. here are the bargain bins! I did lose my beloved pink color, but I also got rid of the yellow I wasn’t going to use. I love that the bargain bins let you order by single colors or mix and match. They come in primary colors as well.


Classroom library book bins review Really Good Stuff and Steps Into Literacy



After dancing around the living room again, I got to work labeling my little babies.

DIY chalk board labels

I was a little unsure about how the labels would work, but they do!! I picked them up at Joann’s for 25% off and they come with 12 in a pack. I grabbed the chalk markers at Hobby Lobby with a 40% coupon. 


The labels are repositionable and don’t leave a sticky mess behind. The chalk actually erases off them too. I was able to write, erase, and rewrite several times without messing up the labels.

Classroom library book bins review Really Good Stuff and Steps Into Literacy



Overall, I’m super happy with my purchase. So in case there was any doubt, these go in the BUY column for sure. Here’s a link to the two bins in case you’re looking for new ones too:

Steps to Literacy Bins and Really Good Stuff



**Update, after their first year of use these bins are still just like new. Love them even more now!**



49 Comments

  2. Thank you so much for this resource! I've been looking for book boxes forEVER and was really struggling with the cost. This is perfect!
    -Andrea

  5. The plastic bins work sooo much better than the cardboard ones! Great work finding a good deal!! We usually get ours at Target in the dollar spot (for $2.50), but they don't seem to have them this year 🙁 Luckily most of our have held up…but we're holding onto that deal site you found in case we have more kiddos than we're expecting!

    🙂 Tamra and Sarah

  8. I have some in primary colours from Scholastic. My kids put their "just right" books in them. Such a HUGE improvement over the cardboard ones. They're on their 3rd year and still all look brand new. Love your labels. Must find some.

  10. Thanks so much for the comparison! I have some bins from Really Good Stuff in my shopping cart right now. I have been waiting for a 20% off deal of the day but they are never on sale. I am going to check these other ones out! Thanks for sharing!
    Sara

  16. I wish we had awesome bargains like this in Australia!! I am stuck with flimsy cardboard ones. I had hoped my kiddies would take really good care of them so that I could reuse them next year but they're all looking a bit ratty now =(

    Casey
    Lifelong Learners in Prep

  17. Awesome! While I love the cheap IKEA white ones, i was getting tired of taping them up at the end of the year. Thanks for sharing the savings, I'm off to shop 🙂
    ☼Libby
    First Grade Dual

  19. Christi – I need new bins this year too as I'm moving the location of the book bins. These will fit nicely in the cubbies. I was just getting ready to order from 'You know where" when I saw your post!!! Awesome – & the labels are adorbs.

    Thanks – always, for sharing!

  20. Thank you for posting this. I have wanted to order book bins for a long time, but I just didn't want to spend a ton of money! I ordered the 40 "fun color" kit and it was only $110.00 and I found a free shipping coupon code! Yipppeeeee!!

    Julie

    My Journey to 5th Grade

  22. HI Christi!

    I love you blog and before my other blog was deleted, I was a follower! I am now a new follower under my new blog! You have so many awesome ideas! I have to ask. Where did you find the other bins? I ordered those same bins from Really Good Stuff, but I can always use more! I look forward to reading more fun blogs!

    Brianne

    Hooo-Ray For Teaching

  23. Thanks so much for sharing this awesome alternative. I've got my set of cardboard ones ready to go, but know the plastic ones will be worth the purchase.

    Thanks again!
    ~Tanya

  24. I have the bins too!! I love them. They are sturdy and hold just the right amount. You will love using them. Believe it or not, check out your local Target Dollar Spot as they often have them too for just $3 each:)

  25. You made me laugh!! I dance over these kinds of things too! I love everything about this and wanted to say thanks for sharing about the markers, they are so cool! Happy decorating and thanks again 🙂 🙂

  26. I love those chalkboard labels! Each classroom in our school comes with flat (like folder sized) cubbies and that is what I use form their book bins, but I am saving that link in case I need those one day! What a deal!

    Bobbi
    Bitty Bilinguals

  27. These are great bins! I have been staring at the Really Good Stuff bins all summer but haven't bought yet! Thanks for sharing this, I will be looking into the less expensive ones over at Steps to Literacy.

    Also, do you think 2 students could share a bin? Between my two groups this year I have 51 students, I don't think I have room for that many bins.

    1. I think it just depends on how much you have students put in the bins. Ours hold their notebooks, folders, and current books so they're pretty full. 🙂

  28. Thanks for sharing a great alternative to Really Good Stuff! I bought a few bins this summer from Target in the One Spot but they were like $3 dollars each. I don't have a bin for each student because I teach 54 some odd students but I do use them for picture books and over-sized nonfiction books for my library! Thanks for sharing! When I need more bins – I know where to go!

    Amanda
    My Shoe String Life
    Follow me on Bloglovin'

  29. Christi

    Thanks for posting this! Would you be willing to measure the width of the bin? It says on the website they are 4 inches but I just want to make sure.

    Thanks!

  30. Thank you so much for sharing! I have been debating between the RGS and the Steps to Literacy Bins! I have been in search of more of the Target Dollar Spot ones I bought last year but can't find them! 🙁 I love that the Steps to Literacy bins can be ordered individually! Thanks again! 🙂

  32. Hey Christi,

    I can't tell you how many people have called us looking for economic replacements for their beat up and worn out cardboard. The number one solution we provide is nesting shelf bins, just like the ones your ordered above. You can view our selection here: http://monsterbins.com/shelf-bin

    The bins not only help the look of your classroom, but they teach the students to clean up after themselves and be organized. If you teach your students to be clean, their parents will love you!

  33. Thank you for your post! I have been using smallish ones from the dollar store, and the books are getting bent. I have been looking for an inexpensive, durable replacement, and your suggestion fit the bill! I just ordered the set of 20 from steps to literacy!

  35. I have these in my book center as well and I love them. They are so sturdy and thick and they have stood up well to daily use by 24 kindergartners. I plan on buying more. I love the bright colors.

  36. I was just going to ask how you think they would hold up in Kindergarten, but the blogger above me said they work well in Kindergarten. Do you still think it was a good purchase? We use cardboard "bookboxes" daily and they definitely go through some wear and tear. We are considering buying plastic ones for next year, hoping that they'll last 2 + years and make the best use of money. Thoughts? Love your blog! I have the milk crate cushion seats in my library and Guided Reading table, my kids love them (and so do I).

  37. Love this! Stole your idea and bought the Steps to Literacy bins in bright blue, they came last night. LOVE THEM! Also, stole your idea for the chalk labels and markers. Can't wait to see how that turns out for me. I am linking this page to my blog. Hope that is okay!

  38. Dollar Tree…..Not as sturdy, but I can get 70 or 140 plastic bins for the same price! GREAT color choices and they do hold up. Mine are 3 years old, may need some replaced this year….but STILL the cheapest!

  39. Oh awesome! I teach in a dual curriculum school so actually teach 41 kids in two separate sections which makes storage of folders etc tricky. My class cannot manage one large bin of math folders so next year I need bins like these – thanks for the cheaper option, 41 bins isn't cheap! Next year, everyone gets their own bin!

  40. Thanks for sharing this! I’ve been browsing around for new bins and I think you’ve helped me find my match!

  41. I was wondering how many books you fit in each bin? I teach 5th grade and have a lot of chapter books. I am thinking of getting the bundle of 20 bins and want to make sure that is enough.
    Thanks! These are great!

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