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The most-requested product

Used IBC Totes — 275 & 330 gallon, your grade.

Reconditioned caged composite totes from partner suppliers serving Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, in a range of wash tiers and grades.

30-Second Form

Quote me on used totes.

Tell us how many, what grade, and where to. We'll pass it to partner suppliers who can quote availability and a delivered price.

Grades and wash types at a glance

Size	Grade	Typical wash type
275 / 330 gal caged	A — Food grade	Triple-rinsed + steam
275 / 330 gal caged	B — Washed	Steam washed
275 / 330 gal caged	C — Rinsed	Cold rinsed

Availability changes constantly and varies by supplier. Your quote depends on grade, previous contents, pallet condition, quantity and delivery distance; larger orders often get better per-unit pricing.

Specifications

Bottle material: High-density polyethylene (HDPE), translucent
Cage: Galvanized tubular steel, roughly 28 lbs; used cages may have been repaired
Pallet: Wood (heat-treated softwood), plastic or steel — specify when requesting a quote
Dimensions (275 gal): 48" L × 40" W × 46" H (1219 × 1016 × 1168 mm)
Dimensions (330 gal): 48" L × 40" W × 53" H (1219 × 1016 × 1346 mm)
Empty weight: Roughly 110–140 lbs depending on size and pallet
Fill weight (water): ~2,400 lbs (275) · ~2,890 lbs (330)
Valve: 2" ball valve standard; butterfly or camlock available
Top opening: 6" manway with sealed cap
UN/DOT marking: Ask the supplier to confirm markings, and specify if you need export documentation

Previous contents: what's usually acceptable (and what isn't)

Totes that held food syrups, juice concentrates, water-soluble ag fertilizers, brewery glycol, soap base, non-corrosive cleaning detergents, de-icer brine, lubricants or paint base are commonly reconditioned and resold.

Most reconditioners won't accept totes that previously held chlorinated solvents, isocyanates, strong acids/bases, pesticides not cleared for tote reuse, fuels, hydraulic fluid, or anything unlabeled. Always ask the supplier about a tote's history before buying.

How grades are usually defined

Grade A — Food grade. Previous contents food-only. Triple-rinsed and steam-washed. Generally suitable for food, beverage and sanitary chemistries; confirm suitability with the supplier.
Grade B — Washed. Previous contents food-compatible or rinsable industrial. Steam-washed. Suitable for non-food industrial use, ag water, mix tanks.
Grade C — Rinsed. Cold-rinsed only. Suitable for non-potable water, rain catchment, raw materials where minor residue is acceptable.

Lead time & shipping

Pickup, local delivery, LTL freight and full-truckload delivery are available through partner suppliers in our network serving Cleveland and Northeast Ohio. A flatbed typically carries around 22 single-stacked totes. Timing depends on the supplier and the order; ask for it with your quote.

Grade Definitions Size Guide Transport Options

Used totes — the deep file

The long-form file.

Used composite 275 and 330 gallon caged totes are the most common request we pass to partner suppliers. Below is what a first-time buyer should know before asking for quotes.

275 / 330 gal

Common used tote capacities

~130–140 lbs

Approximate empty weight of a 275-gallon composite tote

~2 high

Common maximum stacking when loaded

Deep dive

The detail behind the surface.

§ 01

How used totes are commonly graded

There is no single industry-wide grading standard, so definitions vary by supplier. Typical categories look like this:

Food grade. Previous contents documented as food-only (corn syrup, glycerin, fruit purees, food ethanol, etc.), cleaned with a multi-stage hot wash and potable rinse. Ask the supplier what documentation comes with the tote.

Washed (industrial). Hot caustic or detergent wash plus rinse. Often used for industrial chemistries, lubricants, coolants, agricultural fluids and surfactants.

Rinsed. Water rinse and drain. Usually suited to non-contact uses: rainwater harvesting, secondary containment, garden beds and repurposing.

When you request a quote, say what you will put in the tote. Suppliers can then tell you which grade they'd recommend and what they have.

§ 02

What to be cautious about

Totes with unknown previous contents are generally only suitable for non-contact uses, regardless of how clean they look.

Bottles with cracks in the wall or at the outlet, or cages with failed welds, shouldn't go back into fluid service. Ask the supplier how they inspect before sale.

Bottles that previously held aromatic solvents, chlorinated compounds or strong oxidizers are a poor choice for reuse with food or potable water, because residues can permeate HDPE.

§ 03

Bottle age vs. service life

The manufacture date is usually molded or stamped on the bottle, often near the top hatch, and on the marking plate. For hazardous materials, US DOT rules generally limit how long a composite IBC's inner receptacle can stay in service from its manufacture date — check 49 CFR and the marking plate if you're shipping regulated contents.

Cages often outlast bottles, and some reconditioners fit new bottles into used cages ("rebottled" totes). Ask the supplier which you're getting.

Specs

Technical reference.

Composite construction: HDPE bottle inside a galvanized steel cage on a pallet (~130–140 lbs empty for 275 gal)
Capacities: 275 gal (roughly 46" tall) and 330 gal (roughly 53" tall); typically the same ~48×40 footprint
Outlet: Commonly 2" NPT or S60×6 coarse thread, varying by manufacturer
Top hatch: Typically 6" or 9" threaded cap with gasket
Stacking: Commonly 2-high loaded; follow the manufacturer's marked stacking limit
Pallet options: Wood is most common; plastic or steel may be available from some suppliers
UN/DOT marking: Check the marking plate; ask the supplier about markings if you ship regulated contents

FAQ

Quick answers.

01Can I pick totes up myself?

Often, yes. Pickup is arranged with the partner supplier you choose; ask them what loading equipment you need.

02How do I know what was in the tote?

Ask the supplier. Many can tell you the last contents, and some can provide documentation. If contents are unknown, use the tote only for non-contact purposes.

03Are used totes tested for leaks?

Practices vary by supplier. Ask whether the totes you're quoted have been leak-tested and inspected before you buy.

04Can I order online?

No. Send a request through the quote form, and partner suppliers reply with current availability and pricing.

05How do I pay?

Payment is handled directly with the supplier you choose. Ask about accepted methods and terms when you review their quote.