Used IBC totes are the most direct way to add bulk liquid storage: caged 275-gallon and 330-gallon containers sold as returned from service, plus used rigid plastic models. Below you will find what "used" really means, how to read a lot's history, what to check before you buy and how to order one tote or a full truckload.
4 Tote Options · Availability Confirmed With Your Quote
Out of Stock — Request Sourcing
Product MOQ: 1 Tote
Out of Stock — Request Sourcing
Product MOQ: 1 Tote
450 In Stock — Buy Online
Pennsville, NJ 210 · Partner yards 240
Product MOQ: 1 Tote
120 In Stock — Buy Online
Tampa, FL 60 · Pennsville, NJ 60
Product MOQ: 1 Tote
Photos are representative. Request current lot photos with your quote.
Rotationally molded models. Choose an option to check availability.
120 / 275 / 330 Gallons · Used
Select size and condition on the product page.
View Model DetailsAvailability Check Required
Product MOQ: 1 Tote
330 Gallons · Used
Select size and condition on the product page.
View Model DetailsAvailability Check Required
Product MOQ: 1 Tote
Reviewed by Ryan Penick, Operator, Wholesale Industry LLC · Updated October 2026
A used IBC tote is sold as it came back from its last job. It has not gone through our rinse and inspection range, so the inside may still show residue, film or odor from the previous product. That is the trade-off: you skip preparation costs, and you take on the cleaning decision yourself.
Previous contents vary from lot to lot. One lot may have held corn syrup, the next a surfactant, the next a fertilizer blend. Before you buy, ask for the lot history and current lot photos. The photos on the site are representative; what ships is the lot confirmed on your quote.
If you would rather receive totes that have already been cleaned and checked, look at reconditioned IBC totes instead.
Used totes make the most sense when the tote's next job is forgiving or when you have your own wash setup. Common buyers include:
Used totes are a weaker fit if the tote must go straight into food, beverage or sensitive process work. In that case, start with reconditioned stock and verify suitability carefully.
| Question | Used IBC totes | Reconditioned IBC totes |
|---|---|---|
| Interior condition | As returned from service; residue possible | Cleaned or rinsed |
| Inspection | Review photos and lot history | Inspected; ask what component work was done |
| Your prep work | Plan to clean before reuse | Less prep, still verify for your use |
| Cost position | Lower entry point | Higher, reflects preparation |
| Good for | Irrigation, rainwater, like-for-like refills, volume buyers | Buyers who want a cleaner start |
The used 275 gallon tote is approximately 40 × 48 × 46 inches and about 135 lb empty. It fits under lower ceilings, on utility trailers and in garden corners, which makes it the size most homeowners and small farms pick. Shop 275 gallon used IBC totes.
The used 330-gallon tote is approximately 48 × 40 × 53 inches and about 150 lb empty. The extra height buys more volume per pallet spot, which matters when floor space is tight. Shop 330 gallon used IBC totes.
We also carry used rigid, all-plastic IBC totes: Square Stackable in 120, 275 and 330 gallon, and Ultratainer in 330 gallon. These have no steel cage, which some buyers prefer for outdoor or corrosive settings.
The previous contents are the single most important detail on a used IBC tote. They tell you how hard it will be to clean, what it can safely hold next and which grade the tote falls into.
As a rule, refill a used tote with something compatible with what it held before, or clean it thoroughly first. Never put drinking water or food into a used tote unless you have confirmed the history, cleaned it properly and verified it suits your application and any rules that apply.
Run through this list on photos or in person at pickup:
Cleaning method depends on the previous product, so start by identifying it. In general:
Older bottles may already have some sun exposure, so protect them from more. A tote cover or shade slows UV breakdown and limits algae growth in water. Drain or insulate before freezing weather, because ice can split the bottle or crack the valve body. Stack only on level ground and only within the rating on the unit's label, and inspect cages before stacking any tote that has seen heavy handling.
Caged IBCs are commonly UN-marked (for example 31HA1) when new. If you plan to ship hazardous materials in a reused IBC, regulations under 49 CFR require a current periodic test and inspection. Confirm retest status before using any used tote for regulated shipments. We do not represent stock as retested unless that is confirmed in your quote.
A secondhand tote can serve for years when it is set up well. A few habits make the difference:
Buyers outfitting several totes at once often add a garden hose adapter and a cover to each unit on the same order, so every tote is ready to use when it arrives.
Used tote pricing is confirmed with each quote because lots change. The main factors:
Looking for a used IBC tote near me? Pickup is available by arrangement at our Pennsville, NJ and Tampa, FL yards. Smaller orders ship LTL freight quoted to your ZIP, and truckloads are quoted per load.
Send us the size, condition (used), grade, quantity, intended use and delivery ZIP. Mention any previous contents you want to avoid or prefer. We confirm the lot, photos, availability and freight in your quote. Use the request a quote form or call 855-620-3426. Not sure used is the right fit? Compare all options on the main IBC totes page.
No. Used IBC totes are sold as returned from service, so residue, film or odor from the previous product may remain. If you want a cleaned tote, choose reconditioned stock, which is rinsed and inspected. Otherwise, plan to clean the tote yourself based on its previous contents before reuse.
Ask for the lot history and current lot photos before ordering. The label plate and any product stickers also help identify previous contents. We confirm the offered lot with your quote, so you can decide whether that history suits your intended use before you commit.
Not without careful verification. A used tote is not automatically suitable for drinking water or food. You need to confirm the previous contents, clean it thoroughly and verify suitability for your application and any regulations that apply. For garden, irrigation and wash water, a used tote is a common choice.
A used 275-gallon caged tote weighs roughly 135 pounds empty and measures approximately 40 by 48 by 46 inches. A 330-gallon tote is roughly 150 pounds empty. Filled with water, either size is far too heavy to move by hand, so plan for a forklift or pallet jack.
Yes, used totes are a popular base for rainwater and non-potable storage. Pick one with a compatible previous product, clean it, add a cover to block sunlight and algae, and fit a hose adapter on the valve. Drain or protect it before freezing weather.
Only if the IBC meets the periodic test and inspection requirements under 49 CFR for the material you are shipping. Many caged IBCs are UN-marked when new, but reuse for hazmat requires current retest status. We do not represent stock as retested unless confirmed in your quote.
Yes. A full truckload is about 60 totes and is quoted individually. Quantity tiers mean the per-tote price drops as order size increases. Tell us size, grade, quantity and delivery ZIP and we will confirm lot and freight.
