“Industrial grade” is a common description for used and reconditioned totes that previously held non-food products. It is the workhorse category, and the bucket is wide, so it is worth being explicit about what usually fits.
What industrial grade commonly suits
- Cleaners, detergents and degreasers.
- Many agricultural products, after checking prior contents for compatibility.
- Non-hazardous industrial liquids such as lubricants and coolants.
- Non-potable water.
- General storage and secondary uses.
What it does not suit
- Food or beverage contact.
- Pharmaceutical or other regulated high-purity uses.
- Ultra-pure chemistry where trace contamination matters.
- Hazmat, unless the tote carries an appropriate UN mark and is within its inspection period. Check current DOT/UN rules.
Compatibility still matters
Within industrial grade, what the tote held last still matters. A tote that held an oil may not suit a product that reacts with oil residue. Ask what each tote held and compare it with your product’s safety data sheet.