Buy Used IBC Totes in Portland

How to Buy Used IBC Totes in Portland: Save Money and Get What You Need

What you'll get from this guide: Save 30-70% on storage containers, find reliable local suppliers, and avoid common buying mistakes.

Why Used IBC Totes Make Sense

You can save serious money buying used instead of new. A new IBC tote costs $100-150. A good used one? Just $25-40. That's real savings, especially if you need several containers.

Used totes work just as well as new ones for most jobs. They hold 275 gallons (that's about 1,000 liters). Think of them as big plastic containers inside metal cages with a pallet bottom. You can move them with a forklift and stack them to save space.

What Are IBC Totes Good For?

People use these containers for:

• Storing water for gardens or farms
• Brewing beer or making wine
• Storing chemicals safely
• Moving liquids from one place to another
• Emergency water storage

For example, a small brewery might use 10 totes to store different ingredients. A farm might use 20 totes for irrigation water storage.

Where to Buy in Portland

Local stores: Portland has several container yards where you can see the totes before buying. Most are on Columbia Boulevard and other industrial areas. You can pick up totes yourself or arrange delivery.

Online options: RePackify lists hundreds of used totes in Portland. They deliver right to your location and handle all the shipping details. You can see prices and availability online before ordering.

What to expect: Most suppliers let you inspect totes before buying. Good suppliers clean the containers and test them for leaks.

How Much You'll Pay

Here's what used IBC totes cost in Portland:

• Basic used totes: $24-30 each
• Food-grade cleaned totes: $35-40 each
• Bulk orders (60+ totes): Often get discounts

Money-saving tip: Buy in bulk if you can. Many suppliers offer better prices for larger orders and include free delivery.

What to Look for When Buying

Check the condition:

• Look for cracks in the plastic liner
• Make sure the metal cage isn't bent or damaged
• Test the valve at the bottom
• Check that the cap on top seals properly

Ask about history:

• What was stored in it before?
• Has it been cleaned?
• Is it food-grade safe?

For example, a tote that held soap is easier to clean than one that held motor oil. Food-grade totes cost more but are worth it if you're storing anything you might consume.

The Buying Process Made Simple

Decide what you need: How many totes? What will you store? Do you need food-grade?

Get quotes: Call 2-3 suppliers or check online prices.

Arrange delivery or pickup: Most suppliers deliver for a fee. Pickup is usually free but you need a truck.

Inspect on arrival: Check each tote before accepting delivery.

Clean before use: Even "clean" totes should be rinsed before storing anything important.

Safety and Legal Stuff

Important rules to follow:

• Only store compatible liquids (don't put gasoline in a food-grade tote)
• Check local zoning if storing chemicals
• Keep original labels if storing hazardous materials
• Get permits if required in your area

Real example: A restaurant owner bought food-grade totes for cooking oil storage. They checked with the health department first and got proper permits. No problems, no fines.

When Totes Wear Out

Don't throw away old totes. Portland has recycling programs that take apart the plastic and metal for reuse. Some suppliers will pick up worn-out totes for free when you buy new ones.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don't:

• Buy without seeing the tote first (unless from a trusted supplier)
• Forget to ask about delivery costs
• Skip cleaning before first use
• Store incompatible chemicals

Do:

• Compare prices from multiple suppliers
• Ask for bulk discounts
• Plan for cleaning and storage space
• Keep receipts for business tax purposes

Quick Decision Guide

Buy used IBC totes if:

• You need to store 100+ gallons of liquid
• You want to save money vs. new containers
• You have forklift access or strong helpers
• You plan to use them regularly

Consider other options if:

• You only need small amounts of storage
• You can't lift heavy containers
• You need very specialized chemical resistance

Getting Started

Ready to buy? Start by figuring out exactly what you need. Count how many gallons you want to store. Decide if you need food-grade quality. Then call local suppliers or check RePackify online for current prices and availability.

Most people start with 2-4 totes to test their setup. You can always buy more later once you know what works for your situation.