Reviewed by Ryan Penick, Operator, Wholesale Industry LLC · Updated October 2026
Dry storage containers at Wholesale Industry cover reusable packaging for parts, solids and finished goods: collapsible bulk containers in new, used and reconditioned condition, Monoflo attached-lid totes, straight-wall and handheld knockdown containers, bakery trays and container pallet systems, all priced by quote with quantity tiers.
Reusable dry storage containers by size class
This department runs from hand-carried totes up to pallet-sized bins moved by forklift. Choosing the size class first narrows the field quickly, because it decides how the container is handled, how it returns empty and what it can sit on.
Comparing container types
| Container type | Handled by | Empty return | Typical uses |
|---|
| Collapsible bulk containers | Forklift or pallet jack | Walls fold down onto the base | Automotive and industrial parts, components, bagged or loose solids |
| Container pallet systems | Forklift or pallet jack | Collapsible or fixed, depending on system | Bulk parts that need a matched container and pallet |
| Straight-wall containers | Hand, cart or conveyor | Fixed walls; stack when loaded | Parts bins, kitting, work-in-process |
| Attached-lid totes | Hand or dolly | Typically nest with lids open | Distribution, retail replenishment, secure shipments |
| Handheld knockdown containers | Hand | Fold flat | Closed-loop supplier shipments |
| Bakery trays | Hand or bakery dolly | Stack at set positions | Bread, rolls and other baked goods |
Collapsible bulk containers: condition first, then footprint
Bulk bins are chosen in two steps. First pick the condition: new factory models, used containers sold as returned from service, or reconditioned containers that have been inspected and repaired. Then pick a footprint: 24 × 44, 32 × 30, 36 × 45, 48 × 28, 48 × 40, 48 × 45, 56 × 48, 62 × 48, 65 × 48, 70 × 48 or 78 × 48 inches. Some footprint and condition combinations are sourcing requests, so the model is confirmed with the quote.
A footprint is only the base size. Open height, collapsed height, door position and fork entry differ by model, and Monoflo lists both standard bulk collapsible containers and extended-height bulk containers. Lids are sold separately; see bulk container lids for 48 × 40 and 48 × 45 lids and new top caps.
Totes, straight-wall and handheld containers
Smaller containers are chosen by how people and equipment touch them. Monoflo attached-lid totes close with hinged lid flaps, which keeps contents covered and together on delivery routes. Monoflo straight-wall containers keep usable interior space close to their outside size and suit shelving and conveyors. Monoflo handheld knockdown containers fold flat so empties take little room on the return trip.
For trays, Monoflo bakery trays and multi-level bakery trays stack at different heights depending on how the tray is rotated, so one tray can carry low and tall products. Pair them with dollies from the material handling department.
Picking a condition
New containers make sense when you need a uniform fleet, a specific model for automation, or branding and color consistency; they are factory orders and minimums are usually higher. Reconditioned containers balance cost and condition for working fleets. Used containers fit budget-driven or short-term needs where cosmetic wear is acceptable. When matching an existing fleet, send the model and photos so the offered units can be compared.
Planning quantities and return logistics
Reusable containers pay off through cycles, so size the order around the loop, not just the first shipment. Count the containers in use at each stage: being filled, in transit, at the customer or supplier, and waiting to return. A fleet sized only for outbound loads tends to run short when empties sit at the far end. Collapsed and nested heights matter here too; a trailer of folded bulk bins or nested totes carries far more units than the same trailer loaded with fixed-wall containers.
For multi-site programs, tell us how many locations receive containers and whether each site needs a different footprint. One quote can cover bulk bins for a plant, hand totes for its suppliers and lids for both, which keeps models consistent across the program.
Procurement checklist for dry storage containers
- Outside dimensions, interior dimensions and open height, with units.
- Collapsed or nested height if return freight or empty storage matters.
- Condition for each line: new, used or reconditioned.
- Contents, load per container and stacking plan; check the rated capacity of the exact model.
- Doors, lids, dividers or dunnage needed.
- Handling equipment: forklift, pallet jack, conveyor or hand carry.
- Existing fleet to match and the quantity per footprint.
Common applications
- Automotive and industrial supply chains returning empty bins to suppliers.
- Warehouses replacing cardboard with reusable totes for internal moves.
- Retail and distribution routes using attached-lid totes between stores and DCs.
- Bakeries outfitting trays and dollies for route delivery.
- Resellers and project buyers sourcing several container types in one order.
Get pricing on dry storage containers
Use the quote request form with each container type, condition, footprint or model, quantity and delivery ZIP, or call 855-964-2534. Containers are sold empty. Pickup can be arranged from Pennsville, NJ or Tampa, FL for eligible stock, LTL freight is quoted to your ZIP, and truckloads are quoted individually. Minimums vary by product and condition. For project-period needs, ask about rental and leasing.
Frequently asked questions
What footprints are available for collapsible bulk containers?
Eleven footprints are listed: 24 × 44, 32 × 30, 36 × 45, 48 × 28, 48 × 40, 48 × 45, 56 × 48, 62 × 48, 65 × 48, 70 × 48 and 78 × 48 inches, each in new, used and reconditioned paths. Some combinations are handled as sourcing requests, so the exact model, height and availability are confirmed in the quote.
What is the difference between straight-wall and handheld knockdown containers?
Straight-wall containers have fixed walls and keep their shape, which suits shelving, conveyors and stacking when loaded. Handheld knockdown containers fold flat when empty, which saves space and freight on return trips in a closed loop. Choose straight-wall when containers stay in one building and knockdown when empties travel back to a supplier.
Do bulk containers come with lids?
Lids are generally quoted separately. Used and reconditioned 48 × 40 and 48 × 45 lids and new Monoflo top caps are listed under bulk container lids. A lid must match the container model, not just the footprint, so include the container maker and model when you add lids to your request.
Can I mix new and reconditioned containers on one order?
Yes. Each condition is quoted as its own line on the same request. New factory items often carry higher minimums than used or reconditioned stock, so the quote shows the minimum and pricing for each line and the freight for the combined shipment to your ZIP.
Can you match containers we already use?
Send the manufacturer, model or part number, measured dimensions and photos of the containers you have. The offered model is compared against them before the quote is finalized. Matching matters most when containers must stack together, share lids, or run on the same conveyors and dollies.
Do you rent dry storage containers?
Rental and leasing requests are reviewed for defined project periods, such as a seasonal peak or a plant changeover. Describe the container type, quantity, footprint, duration and return arrangements through the rental and leasing page or the quote form, and the available options and terms will be confirmed with you.
