Are Poly IBC Tanks Reusable?
Polyethylene Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) can be reused for many products. IBC tanks are famous shipping containers in a number of industries. So long as your products cannot be contaminated by contact with remaining previous products, reuse of tanks is both possible and beneficial.
Potential Conditions of IBC Tanks
IBC tanks can be purchased in a number of conditions. The previous use or lack thereof affects the price of the unit. Potential purchase conditions are:
- New—The bottle and cage have never been used before. This unit will have the highest price of any IBC tank.
- Rebottled—This unit will have an original cage and a new bottle. Essentially a new unit but for a lower price.
- Washed—This unit has been used, but washed according to industry standards. Risk of contamination is low, but the use of washed bottles for certain products is limited by industry regulations.
Consumers may also buy a set mix of rebottled and washed units, which may be even less expensive than a set of either category.
How to Choose a Condition for IBC Units
An IBC tote should always be chosen for the product that will be shipped or stored in it. Food and pharmaceuticals must comply with standards set by the FDA, while other products may only require a rebottled or washed unit. If your product has no need for perfect sterility, you might benefit from an IBC recycling program, which offers washed IBC tanks for a fraction of the price.
For more information, please refer to the following pages: