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Grand Rapids, MI · est. 2007
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Frequently asked

The questions we get on email every week.

Twelve of the most-asked things, answered with what we actually do — not what marketing wrote.

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Same form, every page. Tell us once — we route it to whoever's closest to your tote.

01Who you are
02Where you are
03What you need
⟁ Replies within one business day · no phone calls
Can I use a reconditioned tote for food?
Only if it's been Grade A reconditioned. Our Grade A line uses a tri-stage caustic + neutral rinse + potable polish, and the tank carries a chain-of-custody tag with the prior fill. Anything below Grade A is not for food contact regardless of how it looks.
What's the difference between a 275 and a 330?
Same footprint (48" × 40"), but the 330 is seven inches taller. That gives you about 20% more volume per square foot of floor. If your pallet rack openings are 56" tall or more, the 330 is usually the better buy.
How long does a reused tote last?
Reconditioned totes used indoors for non-aggressive chemistry typically last 4–7 more years. Direct-sun outdoor storage drops that by roughly 30% — UV is the main HDPE killer.
Can you ship outside the Midwest?
Yes, but the freight math matters. For Tier 1 (MI/IN/IL/OH/WI) we do same-week LTL. For Tier 2 (KY, PA, NY, MN, IA, MO) we do week-of LTL. Truckload anywhere east of the Rockies. West of the Rockies we'll quote but usually recommend you source closer.
Do you really pay cash?
Yes, on inspection. We can pay by check or ACH the same day. Yard drop-offs and bigger pickups (20+ tanks) get the top of the per-unit range.
What's the difference between cleaning and reconditioning?
Cleaning is what you do with a garden hose and a brush before someone picks up the tote from your yard. Reconditioning is a wash bay, caustic chemistry, RO rinse water, gasket replacement, and a chain-of-custody tag. Different processes, different regulatory implications.
Are your totes UN-rated for hazmat?
Most are. Look for UN 31HA1/Y stamped on the cage. We can certify or re-certify a tank if needed — that's a service we do separately because it requires a fresh pressure test and paperwork.
What if my tote has a leaking valve?
Almost always cheaper to swap the valve than replace the tank. We stock 2" ball valves, S60×6, and S100×8 in cam-lock and threaded. Send us a photo of the leak and we'll send you the part number.
Can I rent a tote instead of buying?
We don't rent — it's logistically painful at our scale. Buy reconditioned and resell to us when done. Net effective cost over a year is often less than a rental.
Why do you only sell used totes?
We sell new when it's the right call (USP-grade pharma, hot fills, certain solvents), but new is roughly 96% of the embodied carbon of reconditioned. The default should be the lower-carbon, lower-cost option.
What payment methods do you accept?
Net-30 for established accounts, credit card, ACH, paper check. For first-time orders we usually take card or ACH at order; net terms get set up on the second order.
Do you offer delivery on weekends?
No. Yard hours run Mon–Fri 7:30–5 and Sat 8–noon. Saturday is yard pickup only, no outbound LTL.

Question not here?

Drop us a line. We answer within a business day.

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Beyond the top twelve

What we still get asked weekly that didn't fit above.

"How long does a chain-of-custody tag last?" Indefinitely on the tank. The QR code links to a digital record we retain for 24 months minimum. Past 24 months we still have wash records by lot number but the searchable archive thins.

"Can you sell tanks with the original product label still on?" Yes, we can leave the original packaging label affixed at customer request. Most buyers prefer it removed; some applications prefer it kept for upstream traceability.

"Do you stock UN 31HA1/X (X-rated hazmat)?" Not in deep stock — X-rated is special-order with about 2 weeks lead time. Y-rated is what we keep on the shelf and covers most non-acute hazmat fills.

"How do you handle holiday lead times?" We close between Christmas and New Year (8 working days). Orders placed in the week prior ship the week after. Plan accordingly.

"Can I tour the yard?" Yes, walk-ins during yard hours. For guided tours with a co-founder, schedule via email.

"What's the most common reason an order goes wrong?" Valve type mismatch between our default cam-lock and the buyer's existing S60 or S100 plumbing. We send a fitting photo with order confirmation now — caught the issue from 1 in 18 orders before, down to 1 in 200 after.

Key takeaways

If you only read one section.

  1. 01Most order surprises are valve type issues. Confirm at order placement.
  2. 02We retain wash records 24 months minimum. Most longer.
  3. 03Holiday closure runs Christmas through New Year. Plan around it.
  4. 04Walk-in tours welcome. Guided tours by appointment.
  5. 05If your question isn't here, email us. Response inside one business day.
Keep going

Read next

Chemical compatibility →

What you can store where.

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Cleaning protocols →

DIY when appropriate.

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Email us →

For anything not covered.

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