Choose the right Bin, Tote, and Container for your organization!
Bins and totes and containers, oh my! From basements and backyards to sprawling commercial warehouses and storage facilities, humble bins, totes, containers, and various other boxes are essential for staying organized. In fact, you could call them unsung heroes of organization, helping staff and facility managers to streamline operations, enhance productivity, and stay on top of stock and supplies.
But as you may know all too well, not having the right containers at the right times can really throw a figurative wrench in the works. So, it’s crucial to regularly take inventory of what you need, what needs to be replaced, and what is surplus to requirements. And to do that, it’s important to understand the differences between them.
Bins, Totes, and Containers – Know The Differences.
While there’s a little overlap in terminology, there are some distinct differences and strengths of each. Let’s quickly break it down:
BINS
Bins are your go-to small stationary storage units designed to stay in one fixed location, be it workbenches, shelving units, or tool racks. Most bins are made of plastic and are open-topped, allowing easy access to their contents, and can be stacked for space efficiency. This makes them ideal for organizing small parts, tools, or supplies in workshops, garages, or storage areas (you’ll see them used all over the major hardware and commercial supply stores. Please note, in this instance, bins are not to be confused with wheelie bins and garbage cans.
More versatile than bins, and available in a much greater range of sizes, tote boxes almost always feature lids to enable secure storage and transportation. They’re designed to be easy to carry, allowing easy movement of products, inventory, or materials throughout your facility. Totes are generally nestable (please read weight restrictions for specific models) and have a sturdy, durable construction for heavy-duty use, making them perfect for warehouses, distribution centers, or retail environments.
Finally, we get to containers. These are generally larger than bins or totes, making them perfect for both material handling and bulk storage throughout your facility. They come in various sizes, shapes, and materials (plastic containers are the most common), and are well-suited to both indoor and outdoor use. You’re most likely to find containers in industrial settings, shipping and logistics, and large-scale storage and warehousing applications.
So, Which Is The Best Bin, Tote, Or Container For Your Needs?
There are a lot of factors to take into account when deciding what kinds of bins, totes, and/or containers you need for your particular industry or project. We’ve broken it down into the following eight questions you need to ask yourself:
1: CONTENTS - What Am I Storing?
Is it solids, loose items, liquids, or a combination? Are the contents liquid, or are they hazardous materials? The contents will almost always dictate the material and design of the storage solution best suited to the job. For example, open bins or totes might suffice for some items, but sealed containers with well-fitting lids must be used for others.
2: WEIGHT – Just How Heavy Is It?
To quote Marty McFly, “whoah Doc, this is heavy.” If you’ve got some serious weight to support, you’ll need sturdy and/or reinforced metal and plastic containers. And remember, if you plan on stocking shelves you’re your bins, and totes, ensure the shelving units will handle the weight of full-filled containers.
3: LOCATION – Where Will It Be Stored?
Inside or outside? Up high or down low? Dry or wet? On special shelving units, on the warehouse or facility floor, in a loft, or in extreme heat or cold? Questions like these will guide you to what will work great, and what you should stay away from.
4: CAPACITY – How Many Need To Be Stored?
This is a two-part consideration. For example, you may have thousands of different nuts, bolts, and screws that also need to be divided and organized, so you may well need hundreds of bins for each type.
5: VISIBILITY – Do I Need To See The Contents?
If you’re stocking items that need to be seen from inside the containers, you’ll need clear/translucent plastic or wire mesh. If you need to be able to see items and access them quickly, open-top bins and totes will be much more efficient than those with lids.
6: MOBILITY – Is It Gonna Be Moved Regularly?
Your particular operation may need to store items that are constantly moving locations. In that case, you’ll need to consider storage solutions with handles, wheels, or other means of quick and easy transportation.
7: STACKABLITY – Do I Need Vertical Storage?
Your facility may have shelving from floor to ceiling, and the containers need to comfortably stack on top of each other. If the totes and containers are filling a truck, every inch of storage space needs to be utilized. Take this into account, with weight being another key consideration here.
8: COVER – Does It Need a Lid?
Lids are great if you need protection from dust, moisture, or tampering even anti-tampering. However, some securely stored items will also need to be protected from damp and mildew, and the wrong kind of lidded tote or containers can make that issue worse. Therefore, choose accordingly.
FIVE PRODUCT TYPES: FIVE STYLES FOR EACH.
You know the differences between bins, totes and containers. You have your list of questions ready. Now all you need to do is shop around. But, there are more choices to make. At Global Industrial, we’ve divided our storage solution into the following five categories, with five styles in each one.
BINS
1. Hang and Stack Bins:
Versatile and multipurpose, and available in materials including plastic and wire mesh, these stackable storage baskets and bins can be hung on specialty louvered panels or stacked on shelves. They're ideal for organizing small parts in workshops or warehouses and come in a wide variety of sizes and colors.
2. Corrugated Bins:
Mostly used as temporary storage or shipping solutions, these durable cardboard bins are Lightweight cost-effective, and even recyclable. However, they’re only designed for short-term use so don’t expect more from them than they can provide.
3.Plastic Bins
Durable and long-lasting, plastic storage bins are available as hang & stack, hulk stacking, and giant hoppers. They resist moisture, can take some punishment, and can also be easily cleaned, making them ideal for general long-term storage needs.
4. ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) Bins:
If you’re storing electronics and sensitive components, regular plastic bins won’t do. Static discharge can damage electronic parts and components and therefore need to be housed in ESD bins. Without them, you could lose thousands of dollars in damaged stock.
5. Drawer Bins:
Designed to help you organize small parts storage, these modular drawer system bins are excellent for creating custom storage solutions in tool cribs or parts departments.
TOTES
1. Totes with Attached Lids
A great option for transportation and long-term storage, storage containers with lids ensure the contents remain protected and contained. Use these for document archiving, seasonal decoration storage, electronic equipment, tools, and more.
2. Stack and Nest Totes:
Super-handy in a variety of industries, these totes can be stacked when full and nested when empty. This makes them a versatile, space-saving solution in warehouses or during shipping and transportation.
3. Solid Straight Wall Containers:
If you’ve got a heavy-duty storage job on your plate, these containers offer maximum strength and durability. Ideal for commercial and industrial use where strong and robust storage is a necessity.
4. Dividable Totes:
A more economical solution for storage than regular totes, these handy containers feature adjustable dividers for custom organization. With flexible partitioning of contents, you have more control over how you sort your items within each tote, whether it’s small hardware, tools, or other supplies.
5. Conductive Containers:
Similar to the ESD bins referenced earlier, these larger containers are essential for protecting electronic components from static discharge. They're most often used in electronics manufacturing and/or repair facilities.
CONTAINERS
1. Wire Containers:
Providing great visibility and ventilation, wire containers are idea for a variety of bulkier items. They're commonly used in warehouse, sports, laundry or retail settings where air circulation is important.
2. Collapsible Containers:
These efficient, space-saving containers handily fold away when not in use, making them perfect for temporary storage or seasonal use, events, and shipping & logistics.
3. Pallet Containers:
Designed to fit standard pallets, these containers are easily moved and stored using forklifts. Pallet containers are most often used in warehouse operations, at shipping docks and manufacturing facilities, and in large-scale retail distribution.
4. Stackable Containers:
Just like stackable bins, these containers help you make the most of your vertical storage spaces. They're great in tight spaces, including small warehouses, stockrooms, garage organization, and commercial kitchens.
5. Forkliftable Containers
Built to withstand the rigors of daily forklift handling, these containers are perfect for moving heavy loads in the manufacturing, bulk material transportation, construction, and agriculture industries.
ORGANIZERS AND CADDIES
1. Small Part Organizers:
From nuts, bolts, and screws to the tiniest components, these small drawers or compartments provide easy access and organization for electronics repair, jewelry, and myriad other small storage needs.
2. Reel Containers:
If you’ve got a lot of wire, rope, and or/cable to store AND dispense, reel containers are just the ticket. They are used by electrical contracting, theatre rigging, marine rope storage and manufacturing assembly lines.
3. Drawer Organizers and Dividers:
Don’t let your drawers become disorganized messes. Featuring customizable compartments (size and shape) to keep everything separated and easily accessible, you can use these in anything from office supply management to toolbox organization.
4. PCB Racks:
If you’re in the printed circuit board business, either as a supplier or customer, these racks provide safe anti-static storage for sensitive electronics and components.
5. Table & Benchtop Organizers:
What industry doesn’t need to keep tables and benchtops organized? Whether it’s workbenches, offices and cubicles, or even assembly lines, these organizers improve efficiency while reducing clutter.
LIQUID STORAGE TANKS
1. Storage Drums and Barrels:
Suitable for a wide variety of different types of liquids and chemicals, these bulk liquid storage solutions are most often used in chemical plants, the oil and lubricant industries, and food processing.
2. Industrial Liquid Storage:
When you need to store and transport large volumes of liquids safely and securely, these tanks are indispensable. Use cases include beverage manufacturing, petroleum storage, wastewater treatment, and agricultural liquid fertilizer storage.
3. Pails:
What facility doesn’t have pails at hand? These smaller containers, designed for either liquids or semi-solids, are versatile containers for paint storage, the food service industry, janitorial supplies, and small-scale chemical distribution.
4. Stock Tanks:
These large, open-top containers are primarily used for livestock, agriculture and industrial use. Durable, resistant to extreme temperatures, and suitable for outdoor use, they are ideal for livestock watering, aquaculture, construction site water storage, and even plant nurseries.
5. Folding Tanks:
Why would you need large, collapsible and temporary storage for liquids? Well, these tanks are lifesavers (literally) and are used in firefighting operations, hazardous liquid spills, disaster relief efforts, and emergency water storage.
Well, that’s the rundown. By choosing the right bins, totes, and containers for your facility, or even a residence, you can significantly improve your workflow, cost-savings, and organization. Not seeing something you’re looking for here? Get in touch with one of our experts here at Global Industrial and they’ll be happy to help you find the perfect storage solution.
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