Buy Used IBC Totes in Las Vegas

How to Buy Used IBC Totes in Las Vegas and Save Money

What you'll get from this guide: Learn how to buy quality used IBC totes in Las Vegas for 50-70% less than new ones, avoid common mistakes, and find the right container for your needs.

Why Buy Used IBC Totes?

You can save serious money. New IBC totes cost $200-400. Used ones start at $50. That's real savings for your business.

Used totes work just as well as new ones for most jobs. You get the same 275 or 330-gallon capacity. The same strong metal cage. The same easy handling with forklifts.

Plus, you're helping the environment by reusing containers instead of throwing them away.

What Are IBC Totes?

Think of them as big plastic tanks in metal cages. They hold liquids and dry materials. Most are either 275 gallons or 330 gallons.

They're built like this:

• Plastic tank inside (holds your stuff)
• Metal cage outside (protects the tank)
• Pallet base underneath (for forklifts)
• Valve at the bottom (to drain contents)

The standard size is about 4 feet by 4 feet and up to 4.5 feet tall. They stack safely and fit on truck pallets.

Types of Used Totes You'll Find

Dirty totes - Cheapest option at $50-60 each. These held industrial materials and weren't cleaned out. You'll need to clean them yourself.

Rinsed totes - Cost $40-80. Someone already rinsed them out. Still might need more cleaning depending on what you're storing.

Food-grade totes - Cost up to $80. These can hold food products safely. Look for FDA markings if you need this type.

Reconditioned totes - Most expensive used option. The seller fixed any damage and cleaned them thoroughly. These work almost like new.

What to Check Before You Buy

Look at the plastic tank:

• No cracks or holes
• No weird colors or stains
• Valve opens and closes properly
• No strong chemical smells

Check the metal cage:

• No bent or broken bars
• No heavy rust
• All welds look solid
• Cage sits straight on the pallet

Test the pallet base:

• Forklift slots aren't damaged
• Wood isn't rotting (if wooden pallet)
• Plastic isn't cracked (if plastic pallet)

Read the labels:

• UN/DOT codes tell you what it can legally hold
• Manufacturing date shows age
• Previous contents might be listed

Where to Buy in Las Vegas

Local industrial suppliers often have used totes. Check with chemical supply companies - they sometimes sell their empties.

RePackify is a good online option that connects you with sellers across the region.

Recycling centers sometimes have used totes, though quality varies more.

What You'll Pay

Here's what people actually pay in Las Vegas:

• Dirty 275-gallon totes: $50-60 each
• Rinsed totes: $40-80 each
• Food-grade dirty: Up to $80 each
• Reconditioned 330-gallon food-grade: Around $175 each

Buy 10 or more and you can usually negotiate better prices. End of quarters (March, June, September, December) often have the best deals when companies clear inventory.

Getting Them Delivered

Small orders (1-10 totes): Expect to pay delivery fees or pick them up yourself. Make sure you have a forklift or way to unload them.

Large orders (60+ totes): Many sellers include free freight delivery. They'll load a truck and bring them to you.

Things to confirm:

• Who unloads the truck?
• Do you have dock access?
• What time can they deliver?
• Any extra fees for lift gates or special handling?

Smart Uses Beyond Storage

People use old IBC totes for many things:

Rainwater collection - Great for gardens. One tote collects water from about 1,000 square feet of roof in a good storm.

Aquaponics systems - The rectangular shape works well for fish tanks. Easy to plumb together.

Emergency water storage - Stores 275 gallons of water safely. Important in desert climates.

Mobile mixing - Some businesses use them to mix paint, chemicals, or other materials on job sites.

Safety Rules You Must Follow

For hazardous materials: The tote must have proper UN/DOT markings for what you're storing. No exceptions.

For food products: Only use food-grade certified totes. Regular industrial totes can contaminate food.

Documentation: Keep records of what was in the tote before you bought it. This protects you if questions come up later.

Cleaning: Clean thoroughly between different materials, especially if switching from chemicals to food products.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not checking the valve - A broken valve makes the whole tote useless. Always test it.

Ignoring previous contents - Some chemicals leave residues that never fully clean out. Know what was stored before.

Buying without seeing - Photos can hide damage. Inspect in person when possible.

Forgetting delivery costs - A $50 tote becomes expensive if delivery costs $100.

Wrong size planning - Measure your storage space first. These are bigger than most people expect.

How to Get the Best Deal

Buy in bulk - 10+ totes almost always get you better pricing.

Ask about returns - Some sellers give credit if you return empty totes later.

Check multiple sources - Prices vary a lot between sellers.

Time your purchase - End of business quarters often have the best inventory.

Negotiate - Especially if you're buying many or becoming a regular customer.

Bottom Line

Used IBC totes offer real value if you buy smart. Start with rinsed totes for most uses - they balance cost and cleanliness well.

Always inspect before buying. Know what you're storing and pick the right grade. Plan your delivery carefully.

With some basic knowledge, you can get quality containers at a fraction of new prices. Your wallet and the environment both win.