Reconditioned Products
Reconditioned products are previously used items that have been thoroughly cleaned and restored for reuse. They decrease the need to produce new containers, limiting carbon emissions and giving certain items a second life.
The Cary Company offers:
- Reconditioned Plastic Pails
- Reconditioned Drums
- Reconditioned IBC Totes
Our Reconditioned IBC Totes consist of a reconditioned (washed and restored) tote tank, cage, and steel or plastic pallet. While reconditioned products are a wonderful way to reuse large plastic containers, they do have some limitations as they are not FDA-approved.
Benefits of Reconditioned Items
Reconditioned products are available at a fraction of a new item’s price. Depending on the quality, prices can decrease as low as 50%. Generally, you can expect to save $20 off a standard 55 gallon drum or nearly $100 off a 275 gallon IBC tote.
This eco-conscious practice decreases the need for new plastic production, encouraging a cyclical use of resources. Additionally, the carbon footprint of reconditioning is significantly lower than that of manufacturing a new product.
Cost Savings
Eco-Friendly
Reduced Footprint
Sustainable Business
Explore Our Reconditioned Items
Reconditioned
Reconditioned
Plastic Drums
Reconditioned
Steel Drums
Reconditioned
IBC Totes
What Does the Reconditioning Process Look Like?
1. Removing Residue
Donated containers arrive empty, but they must still be purged of any residual material. This is accomplished with vacuuming and rinsing.
2. Rigorous Cleaning
Containers are meticulously cleaned using advanced washing lines, ensuring a thorough and consistent cleaning process.
3. Testing & Inspection
Testing takes place at several stages of the reconditioning process and accumulates in a final inspection. These inspection protocols adhere to RIPA standards and DOT UN testing and labeling requirements, ensuring high-quality assurance.
How Cary Adheres to Compliance
In a constantly evolving industry, The Cary Company remains committed to the principles of safety and sustainability, guided by the standards set by DOT and RIPA. Our operations are grounded in rigorous safety protocols and regulatory compliance, including EPA’s RCRA1 regulations for material emptying, DOT2 standards for hazardous materials packaging, and RIPA3 codes for packaging integrity and operational excellence.
We proactively implement SDS Safety Sheets4 to ensure handlers are fully informed of a container’s prior chemical applications, enabling safer, smarter decisions. Our ongoing investment in safety technology helps protect personnel by balancing chemical environments, reducing cross-contamination, and safeguarding water quality.
The Cary Company’s facilities are equipped to offer reconditioning services for plastic pails, plastic drums, and composite IBC totes. Although the reconditioning process varies between product types, it revolves around three key steps.
1. RCRA
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is a federal law that governs the disposal of solid and hazardous waste. RCRA regulations mandate that totes be emptied as thoroughly as possible using standard draining, pouring, and pumping techniques. Highly viscous, non-flowable liquids should only release a few drops when inverted. Additionally, the remaining residue should not exceed one inch in height or 0.3% of the original product weight. Holders of these totes must abide by RCRA regulations for The Cary Company to accept their containers. California has implemented a stricter definition than the federal standard, including a “drip dry” standard.
2. DOT
The Department of Transportation is responsible for safe, efficient, sustainable, and equitable movement of people and goods. DOT requires proper signage of the product name manufacturer and associated hazards on used containers.
Labels should not be spray painted over or covered up in any way. Containers without proper labeling cannot be accepted by The Cary Company. For totes, DOT requires that all closures such as valves and lids be tightly closed for transportation.
3. RIPA
The Reusable Industrial Packaging Association (RIPA) offers two sets of principles: Responsible Packaging Management (RPM) and Codes of Operating Practices Guiding Principles. RPM addresses selection and ordering, empty packaging management and certification, management checklists and reconditioning facility compliance. RIPA’s Codes of Operating Practices Guiding Principles are adherence to standards, community and environmental responsibility, effective packaging, counseling and education, compliance and quality control, open communication, and industry integrity.
4. SDS Safety Sheets
SDS Safety Sheets are documents regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that require chemical manufacturers to provide detailed information about the contents to those who will receive them. This ensures safe handling practices and aids emergency response personnel. SDS Safety Sheets are grouped by classes: explosives, gases, flammable liquids and solids, and other GHS transport classes. The Cary Company requires all vendors to submit an SDS Safety Sheet on the Used Tote and Drum Disposal Services page.
Cary's Recycling Services
Looking to recycle your used IBC totes and drums? The Cary Company offers free pickup and reconditioning of approved bulk containers at our state-of-the-art facilities. Donate your unwanted totes and drums with ease—if accepted, we’ll handle the logistics and refurbish them to market-ready standards, all at no cost to you.
Articles & Resources
At The Cary Company, we believe informed businesses drive sustainable change. That’s why we invest in research to provide you with actionable insights on recycling and container reuse. By integrating cost-effective, environmentally responsible solutions into your operations, you can better support your customers in making greener choices.
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