Guide library

Field notes from
the wash line.

Everything we have written down, because the same questions arrive every week and a page answers them better than an email. Written by people who handle these containers daily, not by a marketing department.

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Start here

If you are buying used totes, read the 14-point checklist first. If you are washing your own, read how to clean an IBC tote. If someone has told you that you need food-grade, read what that actually means. If you are shipping a regulated liquid, read the shipper's duties before you buy anything at all.

How to clean an IBC tote

The field method, the chemistry, the temperatures that matter, and the four residues we refuse to touch.

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14-point buying checklist

What a professional inspector looks at, in the order they look at it, before money changes hands.

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Food-grade vs industrial

Why “FDA approved” is not a thing, what provenance means, and when rebottling is the only honest answer.

Open Project

Rainwater harvesting build

A complete 275-gallon catchment with a parts list, that survives a Pennsylvania winter.

Open

The carbon math of reuse

Where the emissions actually sit in a composite IBC, and how we get from 410 lb to 34 lb.

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Shipping regulated liquids

49 CFR in plain English: authorised packagings, markings, periodic testing and who is responsible.

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Full FAQ

Sixty-seven real customer questions, grouped and answered without marketing language.

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Glossary

Yard slang and trade terms decoded, from “heel” to “S60x6”.

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The yard journal

Longer pieces: market notes, teardowns, process write-ups and the occasional argument.

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How to use this library

Three reading paths

Depending on which side of the transaction you are on.

If you are buying

Buyer's path

If you are selling

Seller's path

If you are reporting

Compliance path

Keep reading

Elsewhere on the site

Keep reading

Tote Studio

Build a spec interactively.

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The reconditioning line

Our actual process parameters.

Keep reading

Industries we serve

Who buys which grade.

Reference, not reading

The datasets behind every guide

The guides above explain. The tables below are the raw material they explain. Both are free and neither is gated.

100named prior products with programme and gradeour internal list

21media × four elastomers compatibility matrixseal selection

70products with specific gravity and filled weightthree formats

18standards and regulations, with who each binds49 CFR, 40 CFR, 21 CFR

10failure modes with cause and preventionfrom the bench

51glossary terms definedyard slang included

Prior-product list — 100 named products, programme, grade, food eligibility

Our internal prior-product list, published — 110 named products
Prior product	Family	SG	Programme	Best grade	Food?	Seal	What to watch
Apple juice concentrate (70 Bx)	Food & beverage	1.35	PF	A	Yes	FDA EPDM	Best inbound stock we see; sugars rinse clean
Orange juice concentrate	Food & beverage	1.33	PF	A	Yes	FDA Viton	Citrus oil fraction can scent the bottle
Grape juice concentrate	Food & beverage	1.34	PF	A	Yes	FDA EPDM	Watch for tartrate scale at the outlet
Liquid sugar / sucrose syrup	Food & beverage	1.33	PF	A	Yes	FDA EPDM	Hot rinse only, no caustic needed
High-fructose corn syrup	Food & beverage	1.38	PF	A	Yes	FDA EPDM	Viscous; 3" outlet helps decanting
Molasses	Food & beverage	1.42	PF	A	Yes	FDA EPDM	Heated rinse; heavy heel
Honey	Food & beverage	1.42	PF	A	Yes	FDA EPDM	Crystallises; heater jacket recommended
Maple sap	Food & beverage	1.02	PF	A	Yes	FDA EPDM	Benign but sugars feed biofilm fast
Maple syrup	Food & beverage	1.33	PF	A	Yes	FDA EPDM	Hot rinse; inspect lid seat
Apple cider	Food & beverage	1.05	PF	A	Yes	FDA EPDM	Vented lid essential — ferments
Wine / must	Food & beverage	1.08	PF	A	Yes	FDA EPDM	Tartrate scale; usually leased
Beer / wort	Food & beverage	1.05	PF	A	Yes	FDA EPDM	Stainless preferred for repeat service
Brine (pickling liquor)	Food & beverage	1.20	PF	A	Yes	FDA Viton	Check cage for chloride attack
Vinegar, 10%	Food & beverage	1.01	PF	A	Yes	FDA EPDM	Easy; acid-resistant seal needed
Soy sauce	Food & beverage	1.20	PF	A	Yes	FDA Viton	Salt plus colour; monitor ghosting
Edible soybean oil	Food & beverage	0.92	P2	A	Yes	FDA Viton	140°F minimum or fat re-deposits
Edible canola oil	Food & beverage	0.91	P2	A	Yes	FDA Viton	As above
Olive oil	Food & beverage	0.92	P2	A	Yes	FDA Viton	Polyphenols can tint the wall
Glycerine, USP	Food & beverage	1.26	PF	A	Yes	FDA EPDM	Often effectively first-use stock
Propylene glycol, food grade	Food & beverage	1.04	PF	A	Yes	FDA EPDM	Frequently single-product filler stock
Liquid egg	Food & beverage	1.04	PF	A	Case by case	FDA EPDM	Protein film needs verification
Milk / dairy intermediate	Food & beverage	1.03	PF	A	Case by case	FDA EPDM	Allergen changeover record required
Whey concentrate	Food & beverage	1.06	PF	A	Case by case	FDA EPDM	Protein scale; hot detergent
Tomato paste	Food & beverage	1.10	PF	A	Yes	FDA Viton	Acidic; stains but rinses
Fruit purée	Food & beverage	1.12	PF	A	Yes	FDA EPDM	Pulp load; coarse settling matters
Flavour concentrate / essence	Food & beverage	0.95	Refused	Rebottle	No	PTFE	Permeates HDPE permanently — use stainless
Citrus terpene oil	Food & beverage	0.84	Refused	Recycle	Never	PTFE	One batch ends a poly bottle's usefulness
Spent grain slurry	Food & beverage	1.05	P2	B	No	EPDM	By-product duty; 3" outlet strongly advised
Yeast slurry	Food & beverage	1.08	P2	B	Case by case	EPDM	Vent — active fermentation
UAN 32 liquid nitrogen	Agricultural	1.32	P1	B	Never	EPDM	Rinses readily; dense — check ratings
UAN 28	Agricultural	1.28	P1	B	Never	EPDM	As above
Liquid starter 10-34-0	Agricultural	1.38	P1	B	Never	EPDM	Polyphosphate scale at the outlet
Ammonium thiosulphate	Agricultural	1.33	P1	B	Never	EPDM	Sulphur odour persists faintly
Potassium thiosulphate	Agricultural	1.47	P1	B	Never	EPDM	Very dense; 275 format only
Calcium nitrate solution	Agricultural	1.43	P1	B	Never	EPDM	Crystallises when cold
Humic / fulvic acid	Agricultural	1.10	P2	B	Never	EPDM	Dark staining, usually washes out
Fish hydrolysate fertiliser	Agricultural	1.12	P3	C	Never	Viton	Odour frequently permanent
Foliar micronutrient blend	Agricultural	1.25	P1	B	Never	EPDM	Metal salts can tint the wall
Glyphosate concentrate	Agricultural	1.17	P3	C	Never	Viton	Labelled rinse programme governs
2,4-D amine concentrate	Agricultural	1.19	Refused	Per label	Never	Viton	Label prescribes rinse-and-destroy
Crop oil adjuvant	Agricultural	0.88	P3	C	Never	Viton	Attacks EPDM; permeates slowly
Surfactant adjuvant (NIS)	Agricultural	1.03	P1	B	Never	EPDM	Foams heavily on transfer
Molluscicide suspension	Agricultural	1.22	Refused	Per label	Never	Viton	Refused — labelled destruction
Livestock drinking water	Water & inert	1.00	P1	A	Yes	EPDM	Effectively first-use
Irrigation water	Water & inert	1.00	P1	A	Yes	EPDM	May carry silt; coarse settling
Sodium hydroxide 50%	Industrial chemistry	1.52	P1	B	Never	EPDM	3,497 lb filled — check every rating
Sodium hydroxide 25%	Industrial chemistry	1.27	P1	B	Never	EPDM	Easy wash; dilute and drain
Potassium hydroxide 45%	Industrial chemistry	1.46	P1	B	Never	EPDM	As NaOH; dense
Sulphuric acid 93%	Industrial chemistry	1.83	Refused	Dedicated	Never	PTFE	4,182 lb filled; dedicated service only
Sulphuric acid 35%	Industrial chemistry	1.26	P1	C	Never	PTFE	Fume attack on cage galvanising
Hydrochloric acid 31%	Industrial chemistry	1.16	P1	C	Never	PTFE	Cage usually the limiting factor
Phosphoric acid 75%	Industrial chemistry	1.58	P1	B	Never	PTFE	Dense; viscous at low temperature
Nitric acid 42%	Industrial chemistry	1.26	Refused	Dedicated	Never	PTFE	Oxidiser — embrittles HDPE
Hydrogen peroxide 35%	Industrial chemistry	1.13	P1	B	Case by case	PTFE	Vent; absolutely no contaminants
Sodium hypochlorite 12%	Industrial chemistry	1.21	P1	B	Never	EPDM	Degasses; vent and shield from UV
Ferric chloride 40%	Industrial chemistry	1.42	P2	C	Never	Viton	Heavy orange staining is permanent
Aluminium sulphate	Industrial chemistry	1.33	P1	B	Never	EPDM	Scale at the outlet boss
Polyaluminium chloride	Industrial chemistry	1.35	P1	B	Never	EPDM	Gels if allowed to dry out
Propylene glycol coolant	Industrial chemistry	1.04	P1	B	Never	EPDM	Ideal duty; nothing to watch
Ethylene glycol	Industrial chemistry	1.11	P1	B	Never	EPDM	Toxic — never re-grade for potable
Calcium chloride brine 32%	Industrial chemistry	1.38	P1	B	Never	Viton	Chloride attack on lower cage
Magnesium chloride de-icer	Industrial chemistry	1.32	P1	B	Never	Viton	As above; rinse frames each spring
Potassium acetate de-icer	Industrial chemistry	1.28	P1	B	Never	EPDM	Benign; airport runway chemistry
Urea solution (DEF)	Industrial chemistry	1.09	P1	B	Never	EPDM	Purity-critical next fill; usually dedicated
Nickel plating solution	Industrial chemistry	1.25	Refused	Recycle	Never	Viton	Metal-bearing; never re-used
Chromic acid solution	Refused	1.30	Refused	Refused	Never	PTFE	Not accepted at the gate
Cyanide plating bath	Refused	1.15	Refused	Refused	Never	PTFE	Acutely hazardous — licensed facility only
Phosphate conversion coating	Industrial chemistry	1.22	P2	C	Never	Viton	Scale and staining
Amine corrosion inhibitor	Industrial chemistry	0.98	P2	B	Never	Viton	Fish-like odour can persist
Sodium silicate	Industrial chemistry	1.39	P3	C	Never	EPDM	Sets hard if dried; wash promptly
Polymer flocculant emulsion	Industrial chemistry	1.02	P3	C	Never	EPDM	Extremely slippery; gels with water
Sodium bisulphite	Industrial chemistry	1.33	P1	B	Never	EPDM	Sulphur odour; vent
Antifoam silicone emulsion	Industrial chemistry	1.00	P3	C	Never	Viton	Film is very hard to remove
Latex paint, white	Coatings & inks	1.30	P3	C	Never	EPDM	Heavy ghosting; often rebottle
Latex paint, tinted	Coatings & inks	1.32	P3	C	Never	EPDM	Pigment ghosting permanent
Water-based pigment dispersion	Coatings & inks	1.25	P3	C	Never	EPDM	Strong colour transfer into the wall
Flexographic ink	Coatings & inks	1.08	P3	Rebottle	Never	Viton	Resin binder plasticises the surface
UV-curable coating	Coatings & inks	1.10	Refused	Recycle	Never	PTFE	Cures in the bottle; not washable
Acrylic adhesive emulsion	Coatings & inks	1.08	P3	Rebottle	Never	EPDM	Caustic at 180°F, often still ghosts
PVA wood adhesive	Coatings & inks	1.09	P3	C	Never	EPDM	Wash before it skins over
Polyurethane resin, 2-part	Coatings & inks	1.12	Refused	Recycle	Never	PTFE	Cross-linked; nothing shifts it
Asphalt emulsion	Coatings & inks	1.01	P3	C	Never	Viton	Hot caustic plus long dwell
Concrete release agent	Coatings & inks	0.89	P2	C	Never	Viton	Oily film; 140°F detergent
Mineral oil, hydraulic	Oils & fuels	0.88	P3	B	Never	Viton	Permeation; faint odour often remains
Cutting fluid, soluble	Oils & fuels	0.92	P3	B	Never	Viton	Bacterial odour is the real problem
Gear oil	Oils & fuels	0.90	P3	C	Never	Viton	Heavy film; two cycles common
Used motor oil	Refused	0.89	Refused	Recycle	Never	Viton	Waste stream — not accepted for reuse
Diesel fuel	Oils & fuels	0.85	Refused	Recycle	Never	Viton	Permanent odour; bottle compromised
Kerosene	Oils & fuels	0.81	Refused	Recycle	Never	Viton	As diesel
Biodiesel B100	Oils & fuels	0.88	P3	C	Never	Viton	Solvency attacks some HDPE grades
Vegetable-based lubricant	Oils & fuels	0.92	P2	B	Never	Viton	Oxidises to a varnish if left
Anionic surfactant concentrate	Cleaning & sanitation	1.05	P1	B	Never	EPDM	It is soap — rinses, but foams
Non-ionic surfactant	Cleaning & sanitation	1.03	P1	B	Never	EPDM	Easy wash
Alkaline degreaser	Cleaning & sanitation	1.10	P1	B	Never	EPDM	Compatible with our own loop
Acid descaler	Cleaning & sanitation	1.14	P1	B	Never	PTFE	Segregate heel from caustic tanks
Quaternary ammonium sanitiser	Cleaning & sanitation	1.01	P1	B	Case by case	EPDM	Residual actives need verification
Peracetic acid sanitiser	Cleaning & sanitation	1.12	P1	B	Case by case	PTFE	Oxidiser; vent and shield
Hand sanitiser (ethanol 70%)	Cleaning & sanitation	0.87	P1	B	Case by case	Viton	Alcohol flashes off; little residue
Laundry detergent, liquid	Cleaning & sanitation	1.06	P1	B	Never	EPDM	Optical brighteners can tint
Car wash soap concentrate	Cleaning & sanitation	1.04	P1	B	Never	EPDM	Very common inbound stock
Floor finish / wax emulsion	Cleaning & sanitation	1.02	P3	C	Never	EPDM	Films hard; wash before it dries
Potable water	Water & inert	1.00	P1	A	Yes	FDA EPDM	Frequently first-use stock
Deionised water	Water & inert	1.00	P1	A	Yes	FDA EPDM	Best-value first-use source
Distilled water	Water & inert	1.00	P1	A	Yes	FDA EPDM	As above
Glycerine, technical	Water & inert	1.26	P1	B	No	EPDM	Technical grade is not food grade
Saline solution, industrial	Water & inert	1.07	P1	B	Never	Viton	Chloride; inspect cage
Unknown or mixed residue	Refused	—	Refused	Refused	Never	—	Safety assessment, not a grading question
RCRA P-listed residue	Refused	—	Refused	Refused	Never	—	Licensed treatment facility only
Radiological material	Refused	—	Refused	Refused	Never	—	No testing, no discussion
Pesticide, labelled destruction	Refused	—	Refused	Refused	Never	—	Service life ended by regulation

Wash programmes — five routes with temperature, chemistry and cycle time

Wash programmes — temperature, chemistry, cycle time and relative cost
Code	Programme	Temperature	Chemistry	Cycle	Relative cost	Suits
P1	Ambient flood rinse	Ambient	Process water, occasional mild alkaline	90 sec	1.0×	Water-miscible residues
P2	Hot detergent	140°F	Alkaline detergent 1.5–2.5%	3 min	2.2×	Oils, fats, filming products
P3	Caustic clean-in-place	160–180°F	NaOH 2–4% + surfactant	6–9 min	4.5×	Pigments, latex, resins, heavy concentrates
PF	Food line (Bay 1)	140°F	Alkaline detergent 2% + 100% hydrostatic	3 min + test	3.1×	Documented edible prior service
Refused	Not accepted	—	—	—	—	Unknown, acute, labelled-destruction, radiological

Seal compatibility — EPDM, Viton, silicone and PTFE across 21 media

Elastomer compatibility for outlet gaskets and lid seals — 21 media
Medium	EPDM	Viton (FKM)	Silicone	PTFE	We would fit
Water, potable & process	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	EPDM
Dilute acids (<10%)	Good	Excellent	Fair	Excellent	EPDM
Concentrated acids	Poor	Good	Poor	Excellent	PTFE
Caustic soda, alkalis	Excellent	Fair	Fair	Excellent	EPDM
Liquid fertiliser, UAN	Excellent	Good	Fair	Excellent	EPDM
Glycols, coolants, de-icer	Excellent	Good	Good	Excellent	EPDM
Surfactants, detergents	Excellent	Good	Good	Excellent	EPDM
Edible oils, fats	Poor	Excellent	Poor	Excellent	Viton
Mineral oils	Poor	Excellent	Poor	Excellent	Viton
Aromatic solvents	Poor	Excellent	Poor	Excellent	Viton
Chlorinated solvents	Poor	Good	Poor	Excellent	Viton / PTFE
Ketones (acetone, MEK)	Fair	Poor	Poor	Excellent	PTFE
Alcohols	Good	Good	Good	Excellent	EPDM
Fuels, diesel, kerosene	Poor	Excellent	Poor	Excellent	Viton
Juice & syrup concentrate	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	FDA EPDM
Brine, pickling liquor	Good	Excellent	Fair	Excellent	Viton
Hot fill 140–180°F	Fair	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Viton / silicone
Hydrogen peroxide (dilute)	Good	Fair	Fair	Excellent	EPDM / PTFE
Sodium hypochlorite	Good	Good	Fair	Excellent	EPDM
Steam / CIP chemistry	Excellent	Fair	Good	Excellent	EPDM
Outdoor weathering & ozone	Excellent	Good	Excellent	Excellent	EPDM

Specific gravity and filled weights — 70 products, three formats

Specific gravity and filled weight — 71 products
Product	SG	275 gal filled	330 gal filled	550 gal filled
Acetone	0.79	1,883 lb	2,273 lb	3,756 lb
Ethanol	0.79	1,883 lb	2,273 lb	3,756 lb
Kerosene	0.81	1,927 lb	2,327 lb	3,845 lb
Citrus terpene oil	0.84	1,993 lb	2,407 lb	3,978 lb
Diesel fuel	0.85	2,016 lb	2,433 lb	4,022 lb
Mineral oil, hydraulic	0.88	2,082 lb	2,514 lb	4,155 lb
Biodiesel B100	0.88	2,082 lb	2,514 lb	4,155 lb
Concrete release agent	0.89	2,104 lb	2,540 lb	4,200 lb
Gear oil	0.90	2,126 lb	2,567 lb	4,244 lb
Canola oil	0.91	2,148 lb	2,594 lb	4,289 lb
Soybean / olive oil	0.92	2,170 lb	2,620 lb	4,333 lb
Flavour concentrate	0.95	2,237 lb	2,700 lb	4,466 lb
Amine corrosion inhibitor	0.98	2,303 lb	2,780 lb	4,599 lb
Water	1.00	2,347 lb	2,834 lb	4,688 lb
Antifoam emulsion	1.00	2,347 lb	2,834 lb	4,688 lb
Quaternary sanitiser	1.01	2,369 lb	2,860 lb	4,732 lb
Asphalt emulsion	1.01	2,369 lb	2,860 lb	4,732 lb
Maple sap	1.02	2,391 lb	2,887 lb	4,777 lb
Non-ionic surfactant	1.03	2,413 lb	2,914 lb	4,821 lb
Milk / dairy intermediate	1.03	2,413 lb	2,914 lb	4,821 lb
Car wash soap concentrate	1.04	2,436 lb	2,941 lb	4,865 lb
Propylene glycol	1.04	2,436 lb	2,941 lb	4,865 lb
Anionic surfactant	1.05	2,458 lb	2,967 lb	4,910 lb
Apple cider	1.05	2,458 lb	2,967 lb	4,910 lb
Spent grain slurry	1.05	2,458 lb	2,967 lb	4,910 lb
Laundry detergent	1.06	2,480 lb	2,994 lb	4,954 lb
Flexographic ink	1.08	2,524 lb	3,047 lb	5,043 lb
Wine / must	1.08	2,524 lb	3,047 lb	5,043 lb
Acrylic adhesive emulsion	1.08	2,524 lb	3,047 lb	5,043 lb
Urea solution (DEF)	1.09	2,546 lb	3,074 lb	5,087 lb
Alkaline degreaser	1.10	2,568 lb	3,101 lb	5,132 lb
Humic acid	1.10	2,568 lb	3,101 lb	5,132 lb
Tomato paste	1.10	2,568 lb	3,101 lb	5,132 lb
Ethylene glycol	1.11	2,590 lb	3,127 lb	5,176 lb
Peracetic acid sanitiser	1.12	2,612 lb	3,154 lb	5,220 lb
Fruit purée	1.12	2,612 lb	3,154 lb	5,220 lb
Hydrogen peroxide 35%	1.13	2,634 lb	3,181 lb	5,265 lb
Acid descaler	1.14	2,657 lb	3,207 lb	5,309 lb
Hydrochloric acid 31%	1.16	2,701 lb	3,261 lb	5,398 lb
Glyphosate concentrate	1.17	2,723 lb	3,287 lb	5,442 lb
Brine 23% / soy sauce	1.20	2,789 lb	3,368 lb	5,575 lb
Sodium hypochlorite 12%	1.21	2,811 lb	3,394 lb	5,620 lb
Phosphate coating	1.22	2,833 lb	3,421 lb	5,664 lb
Pigment dispersion	1.25	2,900 lb	3,501 lb	5,797 lb
Nickel plating solution	1.25	2,900 lb	3,501 lb	5,797 lb
Foliar micronutrient	1.25	2,900 lb	3,501 lb	5,797 lb
Glycerine	1.26	2,922 lb	3,528 lb	5,841 lb
Sulphuric acid 35%	1.26	2,922 lb	3,528 lb	5,841 lb
Sodium hydroxide 25%	1.27	2,944 lb	3,554 lb	5,886 lb
UAN 28	1.28	2,966 lb	3,581 lb	5,930 lb
Potassium acetate de-icer	1.28	2,966 lb	3,581 lb	5,930 lb
Latex paint	1.30	3,010 lb	3,634 lb	6,019 lb
UAN 32 fertiliser	1.32	3,054 lb	3,688 lb	6,108 lb
Magnesium chloride de-icer	1.32	3,054 lb	3,688 lb	6,108 lb
Liquid sugar / maple syrup	1.33	3,076 lb	3,715 lb	6,152 lb
Ammonium thiosulphate	1.33	3,076 lb	3,715 lb	6,152 lb
Aluminium sulphate	1.33	3,076 lb	3,715 lb	6,152 lb
Juice concentrate (70 Bx)	1.35	3,121 lb	3,768 lb	6,241 lb
Polyaluminium chloride	1.35	3,121 lb	3,768 lb	6,241 lb
Liquid starter 10-34-0	1.38	3,187 lb	3,848 lb	6,374 lb
High-fructose corn syrup	1.38	3,187 lb	3,848 lb	6,374 lb
Calcium chloride brine	1.38	3,187 lb	3,848 lb	6,374 lb
Sodium silicate	1.39	3,209 lb	3,875 lb	6,418 lb
Molasses / honey	1.42	3,275 lb	3,955 lb	6,551 lb
Ferric chloride 40%	1.42	3,275 lb	3,955 lb	6,551 lb
Calcium nitrate solution	1.43	3,297 lb	3,981 lb	6,596 lb
Potassium hydroxide 45%	1.46	3,364 lb	4,061 lb	6,729 lb
Potassium thiosulphate	1.47	3,386 lb	4,088 lb	6,773 lb
Sodium hydroxide 50%	1.52	3,496 lb	4,222 lb	6,995 lb
Phosphoric acid 75%	1.58	3,629 lb	4,382 lb	7,261 lb
Sulphuric acid 93%	1.83	4,181 lb	5,049 lb	8,370 lb

Failure modes — ten causes, what they look like, whether they are recoverable

Failure modes on the inspection bench — 10 distinguishable causes
Mode	Cause	What it looks like	Recoverable?	Prevention	Frequency
UV embrittlement	Unshaded outdoor storage	Chalky, boardy, higher-pitched tap	No	Cover or shade it	Most common
Stress whitening at the radius	Over-fill, freeze, uneven ground	White crackled lower corners	No	Level pad, respect max gross mass	Common
Plasticisation & ghosting	Pigment, resin, solvent absorption	Permanent shadow when backlit	Rebottle	Match chemistry to material	Common
Freeze damage	Left full and sealed	Bulged panel, split seam, blown boss	Sometimes fittings only	Drain or 2/3 fill, vented lid	Seasonal spike
Valve boss cracking	Unsupported pump or rigid pipe	Star crazing at the boss root	No — rebottle	Support the pump separately	Avoidable
Impact puncture	Forklift tine, drop, collision	Hole or deep gouge	No	Handling discipline	Rare
Cage racking	Soft ground, foot impact, over-fill	Diagonals differ by > 1/2"	Jig if under 1/2"	Level load-bearing pad	Common
Weld node cracking	Fatigue, previous field weld	Rust bloom then crack	No	Never field-weld a cage	Occasional
Pallet rot / delamination	Timber base outdoors	Soft bearers, split deck	Replace base	Specify steel or composite	Very common
Seal failure	Compression set, wrong elastomer, reuse	Weeping at the boss or lid	Yes — new seal	Replace at every product change	71% of reports

Standards and regulations — eighteen references and who they bind

Standards and regulations that govern this trade — 18 references
Reference	Title	What it covers	Who it binds
49 CFR 172.101	Hazardous materials table	Classification and authorised packaging reference	Shippers
49 CFR 172 Subpart H	Training	Who must be trained, in what, how often, with records	Any hazmat employer
49 CFR 173	Shippers — general requirements by class	Whether an IBC is authorised for your entry	Shippers
49 CFR 178 Subpart N	IBC design types, testing and marking	What the plate means and how it was earned	Makers, reconditioners
49 CFR 180.352	Periodic inspection, testing, repair & remanufacture	2.5-year visual, 5-year leakproofness + full inspection	Owners, shippers
40 CFR 261.7	RCRA empty containers	When a container counts as empty; P-list triple rinse	Generators
40 CFR 262	Generator standards	Waste determination, manifesting, accumulation	Generators
21 CFR 177.1520	Olefin polymers	HDPE compliance for food contact	Food users
21 CFR 177.2600	Rubber articles for repeated use	Gasket and seal compliance for food contact	Food users
21 CFR 110 / 117	Good manufacturing practice	Handling, storage, sanitation programmes	Food users
NSF/ANSI 61	Drinking water system components	Potable-contact material evaluation	Water utilities
29 CFR 1910.1200	Hazard communication	Workplace labelling and safety data sheets	Everyone
29 CFR 1910.146	Permit-required confined spaces	Entry into tanks and vessels	Anyone cleaning containers
29 CFR 1910.178	Powered industrial trucks	Forklift operation and certification	Yards and docks
ANSI/ITSDF B56.1	Low-lift and high-lift trucks	Capacity ratings and load centres	Yards and docks
ANSI MH16.1	Steel storage racking	Beam capacity, deflection, inspection	Warehouses
PA Title 25 Ch. 95	Wastewater treatment requirements	Industrial discharge standards in Pennsylvania	Wash lines
ISPM-15	Wood packaging in international trade	Heat treatment and marking of timber pallets	Exporters

Unit conversions

Unit conversions used across this site
Quantity	From	Equals
Volume	1 US gallon	3.785 litres
Volume	1 litre	0.2642 US gallons
Volume	275 US gal	1,041 litres
Volume	330 US gal	1,249 litres
Volume	1 cubic foot	7.481 US gallons
Volume	1 US gal	0.1337 cubic feet
Weight	1 US gal of water	8.34 lb
Weight	1 litre of water	1.0 kg
Weight	1 lb	0.4536 kg
Weight	1 kg	2.2046 lb
Weight	1 short ton	2,000 lb / 907 kg
Length	1 inch	25.4 mm
Length	48"	1,219 mm
Length	40"	1,016 mm
Pressure	1 psi	6.895 kPa
Pressure	1 bar	14.5 psi
Pressure	1 foot of water head	0.433 psi
Temperature	140°F	60°C
Temperature	180°F	82°C
Area	1 sq ft	0.0929 m²
Rainfall yield	1" rain on 1,000 sq ft	≈ 600 usable gallons

Documents we issue as standard

Documents we issue — 14 of them, as standard rather than on request
Document	What it contains	When you get it
Written quotation	Unit price by grade, freight as its own line, validity, and the conditions that would change it	Before you order
Grade certificate	Assigned grade against our published definitions, per unit serial	With the order
Leak & pressure test record	Test pressure, hold time, outcome, per serial	With the order
Hydrostatic test certificate	100% of food-line units, recorded against serial	Food-grade orders
Prior-contents declaration	Named last product, generating site, signature	Anything we collected
Wash programme record	Bay, programme, temperature, chemistry, cycle time	Reconditioned & contract work
Rinse verification	Final-rinse pH and conductivity	Reconditioned & contract work
Component specification	Valve, gasket, lid materials with compliance references	Food-grade orders
Photograph set	The actual units on the rack before loading	Every order
Weight ticket	Certified-scale gross weight and count	Collections and cleanouts
Diversion certificate	Unit counts, weights by stream, destination routes, dates	End-of-life batches
Certificate of insurance	GL, auto, cargo, workers' comp; additional insured	Before a crew arrives
Reconditioner marking detail	Code, date, design type	Re-marked units
Lease schedule	Count, grade, dates, weekly rate, return condition, replacement charge	Leases

Answered in a line

Twelve questions the guides answer at length

If one of these is all you needed, you can stop here.

Can I clean a tote with a pressure washer?

For water-miscible residues yes, with a rotating tote lance. For fats you need 140°F. For pigments and resins you need caustic, and that is where a field wash stops.

How do I know when it is clean?

Backlight the wall, smell the headspace, and check the final rinse with a pH strip. Three uncorrelated checks beat any single instrument.

What makes a tote food-grade?

Compliant contact materials, documented edible prior service from the generating site, segregated handling with recorded cleaning, and the records to prove all three.

Can an industrial tote become food-grade?

No. Cleaning removes residue; it does not remove history. The honest answer is a rebottled unit with a virgin bottle.

Is there an FDA-approved IBC?

No. The FDA regulates food-contact materials, principally 21 CFR 177 for polymers. It does not approve containers.

How often must an IBC be tested?

In hazmat service: external visual at least every 2.5 years, leakproofness test plus full inspection at least every 5 years, with records.

What counts as RCRA empty?

For non-acute residues, all waste removed by common practices and no more than one inch on the bottom — or 0.3% by weight for containers over 110 gallons.

What is the carbon difference?

About 410 lb CO₂e for a new unit, 182 lb rebottled, 34 lb reconditioned. Almost all of it is spent making the shape.

How much rain will a tote collect?

Roughly 0.6 gallons per square foot of roof per inch of rain. A 1,000 sq ft roof fills a 275 in a moderate storm.

Will a tote survive a freeze?

Only if it is not full and sealed. Drain it, or leave it two thirds full with a vented lid, and remove or insulate the valve.

What should I check before buying?

Provenance first, then the UN plate, then the bottle — especially the valve boss — then the cage diagonals and the pallet bearers.

Who is liable if a packaging is not authorised?

The shipper. The duty to select an authorised packaging sits with whoever offers the material for transport.

Mixed used IBC totes of varying condition, the subject of most of these guides — **The guides exist because of lots like this**Every page in this library was written to answer a question somebody asked about a container that looked roughly like one of these.

Why any of this is written down

The same questions arrive every week: what did it hold, can it be washed, is it food-grade, what does it weigh full, will it survive a winter, and who is liable if it is not an authorised packaging.

A page answers those better than an email, and it answers them for the next person too. Nothing in this library is gated, and the datasets behind it are published in full rather than summarised.

Field notes fromthe wash line.

Ask something that is not covered

How to clean an IBC tote

14-point buying checklist

Food-grade vs industrial

Rainwater harvesting build

The carbon math of reuse

Shipping regulated liquids

Full FAQ

Glossary

The yard journal

Three reading paths

Buyer's path

Seller's path

Compliance path

Elsewhere on the site

Tote Studio

The reconditioning line

Industries we serve

The datasets behind every guide

Twelve questions the guides answer at length

Can I clean a tote with a pressure washer?

How do I know when it is clean?

What makes a tote food-grade?

Can an industrial tote become food-grade?

Is there an FDA-approved IBC?

How often must an IBC be tested?

What counts as RCRA empty?

What is the carbon difference?

How much rain will a tote collect?

Will a tote survive a freeze?

What should I check before buying?

Who is liable if a packaging is not authorised?

Why any of this is written down

Field notes from
the wash line.