Key Takeaways
- Stackable storage bins made from recyclable plastics such as PP or HDPE can retain scrap value after they are no longer suitable for daily use.
- Scrap pricing can currently approach $0.37 per pound for natural HDPE.
- Carlin Waste Recycling buys qualifying clean plastic scrap loads starting at 20,000 lbs and connects sellers with recycling markets across the United States.
If stackable storage bins are taking up valuable space in your warehouse, plant, or distribution center, recycling may help you clear the area and recover value from containers you no longer use.
In this guide, you’ll learn which types can be recycled, how the plastic is processed, how to prepare a bulk load for pickup, what affects scrap value, and what to consider when you’re ready to sell.
Let ‘s get started!
What Are Stackable Storage Bins?
Stackable storage bins are reusable containers designed to fit securely on top of one another, helping you organize materials while making efficient use of vertical space.
They come in different sizes and configurations, from open-front bins for small parts to larger totes for inventory and bulk materials. Industrial models are commonly made from durable thermoplastics such as polypropylene (PP) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE), depending on their design and intended use.
Their strength, easy handling, and reusable design make them practical for storing and moving parts, supplies, ingredients, inventory, and production materials in warehouses, manufacturing plants, and distribution centers.
What Are the Different Types of Stackable Storage Bins?
The different types of stackable storage bins are:
- Open-front bins: Provide direct access to fasteners, components, tools, and other frequently picked items.
- Shelf bins: Fit into shelving systems and help organize smaller inventory or replacement parts.
- Stack-and-nest totes: Stack when loaded and nest inside one another when empty to reduce storage space.
- Attached-lid totes: Include hinged lids for reusable storage and distribution applications.
- Heavy-duty bins: Larger containers built to handle heavier industrial products or materials.
- Bulk containers: High-capacity bins used for larger parts, ingredients, agricultural products, or production materials.
Can Stackable Storage Bins Be Recycled?
Yes, stackable storage bins can be recycled when they are made from a recyclable resin such as PP or HDPE and meet the processor’s material requirements.
Because both plastics are thermoplastics, they can be melted and reprocessed after the container reaches the end of its useful life.
Cracks, broken corners, or damaged stacking edges may make a bin unsuitable for continued use, but the plastic can still retain recycling potential if it’s clean and properly sorted.
How Are Stackable Storage Bins Recycled?
Stackable storage bins are recycled through identification, sorting, size reduction, cleaning, and reprocessing into usable plastic feedstock.
- Material identification: The resin is confirmed as PP, HDPE, or another plastic before processing.
- Sorting: Bins are separated by resin type and from incompatible materials.
- Contaminant removal: Metal hardware, labels, inserts, cardboard, and other foreign materials are removed as needed.
- Grinding or shredding: The containers are reduced into flakes or regrind for easier processing.
- Cleaning: Remaining dirt, residue, or surface contaminants are removed according to the processor’s requirements.
- Reprocessing: The recovered plastic is melted, filtered, and converted into pellets, regrind, or another usable form.
Successful recycling tends to happen when it is financially viable, technically feasible, and environmentally beneficial.
– NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology)
How Should Stackable Storage Bins Be Prepared for Recycling Pickup?
Stackable storage bins should be prepared for recycling pickup by emptying them, separating known resin types, removing foreign materials, and keeping the load clean and dry.
If possible, check the molded resin codes, manufacturer specifications, purchase records, or labels to identify the type of plastic. If the resin is known, keep PP and HDPE bins separated to simplify sorting and processing.
Before offering the material for sale, remove mixed waste, metal pieces, cardboard, excessive product residue, and other contaminants. Clean, properly sorted plastic scrap can make the material easier to handle and evaluate for recycling.
Can Companies Make Money from Stackable Storage Bin Scrap?
Yes, companies can make money from stackable storage bin scrap when the material meets buyer requirements and the load is commercially viable.
Retired containers may have resale potential as plastic scrap, especially when the resin is known, the material is clean, and the quantity is large enough to support transportation and processing costs.
Because pricing varies by load, a current quote gives you a more accurate picture than a fixed price per bin. Working with a recycling broker can also help connect your material with buyers that handle the specific resin and volume you have available.
What Is the Scrap Value of Stackable Storage Bins?
The scrap value of stackable storage bins in the United States is $0.06 per pound for PP, $0.09 per pound for colored HDPE, and $0.37 per pound for natural HDPE, according to Resource Recycling’s Secondary Materials Pricing Index.
We need to think of plastic as a valuable commodity.
– United Nations Environment Programme
What Factors Affect Stackable Storage Bin Scrap Value?
The factors that affect stackable storage bin scrap value are:
- Resin type: PP and HDPE have different end markets and pricing.
- Color: Natural, single-color, black, and mixed-color material can have different resale opportunities.
- Material quality: Consistent plastic with limited degradation is easier to place.
- Contamination level: Foreign materials can increase processing requirements.
- Load quantity: Higher volumes can make transportation and processing more economical.
- Material form: Whole bins, shredded plastic, and regrind may be handled differently by buyers.
- Pickup location: Freight distance affects the economics of a transaction.
- Market demand: Scrap resin values move with supply, manufacturing demand, and broader plastics markets.
Ready to Sell Your Stackable Storage Bins? Request a Quote from Carlin Waste Recycling Today
At Carlin Waste Recycling, we buy stackable storage bins and other qualifying clean plastic scrap from industrial and commercial businesses throughout the United States. As a recycling broker, we evaluate your material, identify potential buyers, and coordinate the transaction and logistics.
Whether your bins come from warehouses, manufacturing facilities, distribution centers, or logistics operations, we can help connect your material with the right recycling market.
Ready to find out what your material may be worth? Request a quote today!
Stackable Storage Bin FAQs
Can You Recycle Cracked or Damaged Storage Bins?
Yes, cracked or damaged storage bins can be recycled when the resin is accepted and the material is clean and properly sorted.
What Is the Minimum Quantity to Sell Stackable Storage Bin Scrap?
The minimum quantity to sell stackable storage bin scrap to Carlin Waste Recycling is 20,000 lbs. If you have a qualifying load, submit its approximate weight, photos, material information, and pickup location for evaluation using our quote form.
How Long Do Stackable Storage Bins Last Before Recycling?
Before recycling, stackable storage bins can last several years, depending on how often they are used and the conditions they are exposed to. Heavy loads, frequent impacts, chemicals, heat, and UV exposure can shorten their service life.
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