When your company is done with your shipping container and bulk bags, what do you do? If you throw them out, they just end up in a landfill. Now, imagine that every company in the manufacturing industry does this; think of the waste that is being accumulated each year!

More importantly, how many of these shipping containers are broken or unusable anymore? Chances are, just because your business no longer has a need for them, these materials can still provide a use to others in the industry. The fact is that most transportation materials are made to withstand long-term use, and contents can expect to travel and arrive in safety.

Therefore, your company may be adding to the already enormous amount of waste materials the manufacturing industry produces. That isn’t exactly a beneficial business practice for your company.

Maybe your company doesn’t throw out materials you no longer need. Perhaps you keep them in storage, only to find the containers collecting dust. This isn’t necessarily harming the environment, but it isn’t bringing your company any money, either.

What is the solution for these shipping materials? Even if you are a sensible business owner who strives to find a green solution to everything, and likes to reduce your company’s carbon footprint, certain situations may call for a still usable container to be tossed out.

You may be wondering, if these shipping materials are made to endure a long life, why do businesses stop using them or make upgrades? There are many reasons why a company may need a new container even when the current container has plenty of life left in it.

Perhaps newer generations of the container offer better features. Or, perhaps, it is no longer profitable for the company to continue their business.

When a company goes out of business or merges with another, usable and durable materials end up collecting dust or taking up space in a landfill. When containers meet the end of the line in this manner, not only does the company lose money, but this practice also harms the environment.

A sensible approach to giving those still-usable shipping materials a long life is to make use of commercial recycling. Brand new material is expensive and, if you only need the container for a short period of time, pretty useless.

Container Exchanger wants to offer the manufacturing industry a solution to this problem. Commercial recycling is an environmentally friendly way to reduce waste products and decrease your company’s spending.

So, back to those still-usable containers that businesses no longer have a need for. Our professionals help these business owners dispose of the materials in a less harmful way by locating another company that is in need of a shipping container.

This is a practice that saves your company money, while at the same time helps the industry reduce waste. Talk about a win-win!

Don’t end up like the rest of the manufacturing world. Strive for the green solution whenever possible. Container Exchanger ensures that all used and refurbished materials still have a long life ahead of them. For whatever reason, when company A no longer needs those materials, our experts help list the container(s) on our site in the hopes of providing company B an alternative to buying brand new containers.

Why might company B want to buy used material? As stated before, these types of materials often get thrown out, even though they are perfectly good to use. Plus, company B wants to keep their bottom line in mind, while transporting their goods and products safely.

Purchasing a used container through Container Exchanger serves both those purposes. We ensure the supplies are still able to perform safe shipment of products, while your company spends less.

Additionally, depending on your situation, a new shipping container is not needed. For single use or short-term use, a used container is in your best interest. Plus, once you’re done, you can sell it through Container Exchanger, and we will find another company who needs it.

So, now that we have your attention, and you see we have your company’s bottom line in mind, explore the different products and options that are changing the commercial recycling game.

Bulk containers have the largest variety to choose from for your heavy-duty shipping needs.

Pallet Containers

Collapsible pallet and bulk plastic containers are great for storing materials such as pellets, powders, produce, and other manufactured goods. Pallet containers are great options for any of your products or materials that require safe and protective storage.

Our used bulk containers are all extremely durable, meaning they can be reused time and time again. Most of these pallet containers are heavy-duty, and some models/sizes can hold up to 2500 pounds. No matter what size option your company needs, our pallet containers are easily repairable, and provide easy shipment and storage. Choose from a variety of collapsible and non-collapsible containers, with a selection of fully sealed, vented, drop door models available.

Metal Bins

Metal storage bins are the ideal shipping container for your castings and scrap metal. Even though these bins are recycled, they are extremely durable. Your company can depend on our metal bin options for safe delivery while keeping all your goods in place during transit.

Our metal bins are solid-steel sided, but there are options of customizing the bins if your needs require different materials and dimensions.

Wire Baskets

If you need shipping containers for castings and scrap metals, but find you need something more flexible than metal bins, wire baskets may be the right option for you. Our used wire baskets have the same durability as metal bins; however, the wire mesh grid allows a more visible and accessible storage of your industrial products.

Wire baskets come in a variety of options, including collapsible, drop door, rigid, stackable, and heavy-duty choices. These storage options will not only save you money, but also space in your warehouse.

Gaylord Boxes

Our used Gaylord boxes can hold just about any material you may need with a maximum of up to 2800 pounds. Made with durability in mind, the sturdy outside walls hold layers of cardboard inside, for secure storage and transport of the material within.

Wood Crates

Used wood crates are one of the best transporting and storage containers your company can keep on hand. Because of import regulations, wood crates are heat-treated, making them ideal for reusable shipping crates.

What makes wood crates a smart business option, when bought used? They are extremely affordable and work great for one-way shipments. These containers also make storing, carrying, and handling easy and efficient.

Bulk Bags – FIBC

Bulk bags or super sacks, jumbo bags, flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC), or any other name you might call these bulk containers—these make for an excellent low-cost packaging option.

The woven plastic material is durable, and the lift straps make these bags easy to fill, lift, and empty. To save money and use a green option, choose from our used bulk bag options, such as Hazmat bags, U.N. bulk sacks, flow-through jumbo sacks, spout bottom bags, super large sacks, sprout top bags, lined bags, and food grade bulk sacks.

IBC Totes

For the storage and transportation of fluid products, our wide range of used IBC totes is the best selection of IBC tanks. With the option of used (non-refurbished) or refurbished, you are able to select from these sizes:

• 275-gallon standard and refurbished totes
• 275-gallon good grade totes
• 330-gallon standard gallon totes
• 330-gallon refurbished totes
• 330-gallon food grade totes

Drums

Whether you select a plastic barrel, metal drum, tank, or fiber drum, your chemicals and hazardous materials are transported securely in our used and refurbished drum containers.

No matter your needs, whether shipping food grade products, liquid supplies, or chemicals, selecting a used drum will provide a cost-effective and green solution for your business.

Insulated Containers

For those temperature-sensitive goods like dry ice and seafood, insulated containers will ensure the thermal protection of your products during transportation. Since the preservation of the products is highly important, these containers are made for long-term use, and provide a flexible choice to ship and store your goods.

Hoppers and Silos

Hoppers and silos come in sizes large enough to hold items such as animal feed/grains, pellets, milk, water, and juices. Likewise, they also come in small enough sizes to feed an injection mold machine.

Our used hoppers and silos come in a variety of styles and sizes, such as seed bins and dumping hoppers. No matter your needs, Container Exchanger has the green solution for your transport needs.

Pallets of all materials make for versatile transportation and storage containers, often saving space in warehouses.

Plastic Pallets

These pallets prove to be highly popular reusable shipping options for companies in the manufacturing industry. This is because they are lightweight, while also durable enough to protect your materials during transportation.

Design, style, and size of plastic pallets all vary, making them great used options for most of your shipping needs.

Metal Pallets

Aluminum and stainless steel metal pallets have the longest lifespan of all available pallets. Due to their metal structure, they can be reused for years on end. However, your company needs to pay close attention when choosing the correct metal bin for your needs.

Stainless steel and aluminum pallets are usually fully welded, and resist corrosion and heat. This makes them an excellent container for the shipping and handling for meatpacking, food processing, and pharmaceutical industries.

Wood Pallets

Wooden pallets are sensible for reuse because they have to be heat treated, for import reasons. This means they rarely are returned to the sending company; therefore, they are solid options for reuse.

Thanks to their durable design, they can carry loads up to 10,000 pounds or more. Purchasing used wood pallets reduces costs and saves storage space. For shipments of heavy loads, wood pallets make a sensible choice.

Carts are made for the transportation of supplies and products within the warehouse, store, building, or office space.

Security Carts

Security carts work best for personal and retail, distribution, restaurant and food court industries. With lockable floors, walls, and roof panels, you can rest assured your valuables are stored and transported in a safe manner.

Transport Carts

Transport carts are portable shelving units that work for the warehouse, plant nursery, or restaurant. The shelving can be either wire or mesh, and the design is ideal for moving items within your warehouse, property, or space.

Transport carts have features like modulate shelving that allow you to adjust the shelf placement, and tow bars to link and tow several carts at once, that make them great for all your business needs.

Laundry Carts

Laundry carts are used in the hotel, resort, and institutional industries. Our selection of used and refurbished laundry carts is excellent for the use of transporting, storing, and sorting linens. There are taller options, reaching six feet, along with removable and lockable panels that ensure the safety of all materials inside.

The Takeaway

No matter what industry your company is in, choosing a used or refurbished shipping container is the beneficial way to reduce your carbon footprint and save as much money as possible.

Let Container Exchanger aid you in finding the right materials for your business. Choose from the many used bulk containers, pallets, and carts we have available. And, remember, when you have exhausted all uses for your container, turn to us again, and we will help you sell it to another company. Set an example within the industry and use the green solution to purchasing your shipping materials—every time.