There is no industry-wide grading standard for reused IBC totes, which means every reseller uses their own system. That is genuinely confusing for buyers who are comparison-shopping. Our five-grade system is documented, repeatable, and printed on every wash record. It will not match exactly to another seller's three-grade or four-grade system, but knowing how the categories map gets a buyer most of the way to apples-to-apples comparison.
Premium food-grade
Documented food-side prior contents, full triple-rinse with food-acceptable chemistry, no visible cosmetic damage, sound cage, valve replaced or rebuilt, complete wash record. This is the only grade we sell into food, beverage, or potable water applications.
Standard reconditioned
Documented non-hazardous prior contents, washed but not necessarily with food-grade chemistry, sound cage, valve inspected. Light cosmetic blemishes acceptable. Appropriate for general industrial, agricultural irrigation, and most non-consumed applications.
Industrial
Industrial prior contents documented, rinsed or washed depending on prior product, sound cage, valve functional. Cosmetic condition varies. Appropriate for compatible industrial reuse where chemical history is matched to intended use.
Secondary use
Cosmetic damage, possibly minor cage repair, valve may be original. Suitable for ballast, weight, non-contact storage, equipment housing, and most DIY conversions including garden beds. Not suitable for liquid storage that will be transported or consumed.
Reject
Structural damage, unresolvable contamination history, or failed inspection. These never leave the facility as totes — the cage goes to steel salvage, the bottle goes to HDPE regrind, and the pallet is reused or recycled.
- Premium food-grade: food, beverage, potable
- Standard reconditioned: general industrial, ag irrigation
- Industrial: compatible industrial reuse
- Secondary use: ballast, DIY conversion, non-contact
- Reject: salvaged, not sold as a tote