Used totes are sold as received after inspection. Reconditioned totes (we also call them rinsed) have been emptied, rinsed and checked over before sale. This guide covers what each includes, what it costs, and which jobs each is right for.
| Used (as received) | Reconditioned (rinsed) | |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Emptied and inspected; residue of the prior product may remain | Emptied, rinsed, drained and inspected; valve, cap and cage checked, components swapped where needed |
| Appearance | Labels, staining and prior-product odor possible | Cleaner inside; cosmetic marks on the cage and pallet still normal |
| Price | Lowest cost per tote | Higher; the preparation is in the price |
| Lead time | Ships in 2–7 business days | Ships in 2–7 business days |
| Good for | Non-potable water, waste and washdown, industrial liquids, projects where you will clean the tote yourself, large quantity buys | Rainwater and irrigation, agriculture, brewing and processing with your own sanitizing step, resale, any job where the tote is ready to fill on arrival |
| Records | Prior contents where known | Prior contents where known plus the preparation performed on the lot |
Reconditioned and rinsed refer to the same range on this site. Ask what preparation, inspection and component work were performed on the specific lot you are offered.
If you already have a washdown or sanitizing step, a used tote gets you the same container for less, and your own process decides the final cleanliness. If the tote needs to be ready to fill the day it arrives, pay for reconditioned.
On larger lots the price gap per tote adds up fast. Many quantity buyers take used totes and rinse in-house, or mix the order: reconditioned for the totes that will hold product, used for overflow, waste and washdown.
Most problems on a used tote are at the outlet valve (stiff, leaking, missing cap) or the fill cap gasket. Reconditioned lots have those checked and replaced where needed. If you buy used, budget for a replacement valve or gasket on a small share of the lot.
Fittings, valves and coversCondition is the preparation; grade is the history. You can buy a used food-grade tote or a reconditioned non-food tote. Decide the history first based on what you will store, then the preparation based on how ready it needs to be.
Food-grade vs non-food-gradeBoth conditions can show surface rust on the cage and wear on the pallet; these do not affect use. Bent cage tubes, cracked pallet feet or a bottle that does not sit square are rejected at inspection. Ask for current photos of the lot.
Photos and order reviewReconditioned food-grade totes are the easiest to resell or return to a rinse-and-reuse program. If totes are a short-term need, that end value can offset the higher purchase price.
Sell your IBC totesLive counts and quantity pricing by pickup yard. Freight to your ZIP is added at checkout or in your quote.
210 In Stock — Buy Online
Product MOQ: 1 Tote
210 In Stock — Buy Online
Product MOQ: 1 Tote
120 In Stock — Buy Online
Tampa, FL 60 · Pennsville, NJ 60
Product MOQ: 1 Tote
109 In Stock — Buy Online
Pennsville, NJ 60 · Tampa, FL 49
Product MOQ: 1 Tote
Emptying, rinsing, draining and an inspection of the bottle, cage, pallet, valve and cap, with components swapped where needed. The exact work varies by lot, so ask what was performed on the lot you are offered.
Reconditioned describes preparation, not certification. A reconditioned food-grade history tote is the cleanest starting point we sell, but food or potable use still needs your own sanitizing step.
They are emptied and inspected, but residue of the prior product can remain. Treat a used tote as needing a rinse before you fill it with anything you care about.
Yes. Both ship in 2–7 business days depending on order size and your preferred pickup time, from the Pennsville, NJ or Tampa, FL yard.
Reconditioned food-grade is the usual choice: rinsed, edible prior contents, ready to plumb. Used food-grade works if you rinse it yourself and saves money on multi-tote setups.
Yes. Request current photos of the offered lot, or arrange a pickup appointment at the yard and inspect the lot when you collect.
