The five steps
- Last contents. Write them on the tote, or on a sheet by group. If unknown, say unknown.
- Close up. Shut the bottom valve, cap it, and put the lid on. A dripping valve gets tape and a note, not a guess.
- Leave the plate. The UN plate carries the design code, the stacking load and the test dates. Keep it clean and visible.
- Group by grade. The good ones together, the rebottling candidates together, the damaged ones apart.
- Clear the path. Forklift width, truck door, a place to turn. Move whatever blocks them.
What to leave alone
Do not drain a tote that still holds product unless you know what it is and where it goes. Do not wash totes with unknown contents; the rinse water is waste too. Do not stack damaged totes on good ones. And do not remove labels, which are the only record of what is in the tote.
If you find a tote you cannot identify, move it to the end of the row and flag it. The reply will say what can be done.
| Prep step | What it saves | If skipped |
|---|---|---|
| Last contents noted | A buyer's first question | Tote is marked unknown and held up |
| Valves closed | Leaks in transit | Spill, cleanup and delay |
| Plate readable | Design code and test date | Cannot be graded for hazmat reuse |
| Grouped by grade | Grading from the aisle | Every tote is handled twice |
Safety for the person staging
- Wear gloves and eye protection near any bottle with a heel.
- Never climb a stack. Use a lift.
- Check each tote's weight rating before stacking.
- Keep sparks and open flame away from plastic totes that held combustibles.
A day-before checklist for the dock
The day before a lot moves, clear a path to the totes wide enough for a forklift with the forks level. Move parked cars. Check that the dock plate or the ramp can take the weight. Put a person at the gate who knows the lot.
On the morning, check the caps are on and the valves are closed. A tote that leaks on a pallet can slide the load, and a leak stains a trailer floor.
Weather
Rain makes pallets slippery and wets the paperwork. If a forecast turns wet, ask for a different day.
Questions people ask
Should I wash the totes first?
Not unless you know the last contents and where the rinse goes. Say what they held and leave the washing for later.
Does the pickup happen the same day?
The site states no turnaround times. The reply to your request gives the plan.
Sources. Last reviewed 2026-11-11.