--- title: Why Tote Tanks Are Better Than Drums. description: Tote tanks are better than drums when transporting liquids. image: https://metanousa.com/hs-fs/file-625509331-png/images/tote_tanks.png --- Call Us: [800-544-7069](tel:800-634-4128) - [Tracking login](http://www.precisionibctracking.com/MAMS/Login) - [Request A Quote](https://metanousa.com/request-a-quote) - [Resources](https://www.metanousa.com/ibc-resources) - [Blog](https://metanousa.com/blog) [![MetanoLogo_withTagline_original](https://metanousa.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MetanoLogo_withTagline_original.png?width=220&height=69&name=MetanoLogo_withTagline_original.png "MetanoLogo_withTagline_original")](https://www.metanousa.com/) - [IBC Products](https://metanousa.com/ibc-container-products) - [Stainless Steel IBCs](https://www.metanousa.com/stainless-steel-ibc-tote-tanks) - [Metal IBCs](https://www.metanousa.com/metal-ibc-containers) - [Composite IBCs](https://www.metanousa.com/composite-tanks-ibcs) - [Poly Tote Tank IBCs](https://www.metanousa.com/poly-tote-tank-ibcs) - [Reconditioned IBCs](https://metanousa.com/used-ibc-totes-reconditioned-ibc-tanks-metano-ibc-services) - [Shop Stainless Steel IBCs](https://metanousa.com/shop-stainless-steel) - [IBC Rentals](https://metanousa.com/ibc-rentals) - [IBC Rental Benefits](https://metanousa.com/ibc-rental-benefits) - [Go Green with IBC Rentals](https://metanousa.com/go-green-with-ibc-rentals) - [Shop Rental IBCs](https://metanousa.com/shop-rental) - [IBC Parts](https://www.metanousa.com/shop-parts) - [Drum Covers](https://www.metanousa.com/shop-parts#!/Drum-Covers/c/31991784/offset=0&sort=normal) - [Clamp Rings](https://www.metanousa.com/shop-parts#!/Clamp-Rings/c/31991789/offset=0&sort=normal) - [Lid Gaskets](https://www.metanousa.com/shop-parts#!/Gaskets/c/31991786/offset=0&sort=normal) - [Ball Valves](https://www.metanousa.com/shop-parts#!/Ball-Valves/c/31991792/offset=0&sort=normal) - [Bung Plugs](https://www.metanousa.com/shop-parts#!/Bung-Plugs/c/31991791/offset=0&sort=normal) - [Quick Connect Fittings](https://www.metanousa.com/shop-parts#!/Quick-Connect-Fittings/c/31991794/offset=0&sort=normal) - [Fusible Vents](https://www.metanousa.com/shop-parts#!/Vents/c/31991790/offset=0&sort=normal) - [Pressure/Vacuum Relief Vents](https://www.metanousa.com/shop-parts#!/Vents/c/31991790/offset=0&sort=normal) - [Outlet Plumbing](https://www.metanousa.com/shop-parts#!/Outlet-Plumbing/c/31991793/offset=0&sort=normal) - [Decals](https://www.metanousa.com/shop-parts#!/Decals/c/31991795/offset=0&sort=normal) - [IBC Services](https://www.metanousa.com/ibc-services) - [IBC Accessories](https://www.metanousa.com/intermediate-bulk-container-ibc-accessories) - [Mixer Systems](https://www.metanousa.com/mixer-systems) - [Heating/Cooling](https://www.metanousa.com/heating-cooling-transfer-jackets) - [Level Gauges](https://www.metanousa.com/shop-parts#!/Accessories/c/31991796/offset=0&sort=normal) - [Containment Basins](https://metanousa.com/containment-basins) - [Other Accessories](https://www.metanousa.com/other-accessories) - [About Metano](https://www.metanousa.com/about-metano) - [Stainless Steel IBC FAQ](https://www.metanousa.com/ssibc-faq) - [Poly Composite IBC FAQ](https://www.metanousa.com/en/polycompositeibc-faq) - [Tote Talk Blog](https://www.metanousa.com/blog) - [Press Release](https://metanousa.com/pressrelease) - [Industries Served](https://www.metanousa.com/industries-served) - [Flavor and Fragrance](https://www.metanousa.com/flavor-and-fragrance-industries) - [Personal Care](https://metanousa.com/personal-care-industries) - [Food and Beverage](https://www.metanousa.com/food-and-beverage-industries) - [Industrial Chemicals](https://www.metanousa.com/industrial-chemicals-tote-tanks) - [Petrochemical](https://www.metanousa.com/petrochemical-industries) - [Pharmaceutical Intermediates](https://metanousa.com/pharmaceutical-intermediates-industries) - [Paints and Coatings](https://metanousa.com/paints-and-coatings-industries) - [Water Treatment](https://metanousa.com/water-treatment-industries) - [Shop Parts](https://www.metanousa.com/shop-parts) ![blog-Hero.jpg](https://metanousa.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Metano-2016/Image/blog-Hero.jpg?width=1599&name=blog-Hero.jpg "blog-Hero.jpg") # Tote Talk Blog # Why Tote Tanks Are Better Than Drums. - Posted: March 31, 2014 - By: [Tom Wilkins](https://metanousa.com/blog/author/tom-wilkins) Certain practices just get ingrained in popular society, managing to outlast their usability and practicality. An example of this today is the prevalent use of cylindrical drums for transport in the United States. ## When moving liquid shipments, such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food, or other regulated substances, [stainless steel **tote tanks**](https://metanousa.com/stainless-steel-ibcs/) are better than drums for a number of reasons. They offer a lowered liability, are capable of reducing costs, help companies go green, and, most importantly, provide superior storage utilization. Stainless steel totes, also known as intermediate bulk containers or IBCs, first and foremost improve working conditions for your employees. Available in [different capacities](https://www.metanousa.com/metal-intermediate-bulk-container-specs/), the **tote tanks** are loaded by forklift instead of hand cart and placed in a uniform layout rather than forcing round objects into square buildings and vehicles. This wise alternative dramatically cuts down on workplace injuries resulting from accidents, carelessness, or poor planning. ![tote tanks](https://metanousa.com/hs-fs/file-625509331-png/images/tote_tanks.png?width=255&height=164&name=tote_tanks.png)The bottom line, though, can also be improved by adopting stainless steel totes. In labor alone, handling and transporting **[tote tanks](https://metanousa.com/ibc-rentals/)** saves considerable man hours over traditional loading and unloading of drums. By loading totes with a forklift, a single worker can handle the task in far less time than it usually takes multiple workers to move just as much material but in many more drums. Furthermore, money can be saved in the cleaning of space by only needing to return one IBC per month rather than several drums. The [green benefits of stainless steel **tote tanks**](https://www.metanousa.com/intermediate-bulk-container-rentals/) are better than drums, as well. IBCs are reusable, returnable, and recyclable, lowering disposal costs as well as environmental impact. By using IBCs over and over again without additional units being manufactured, rather unlike traditional drum's single use lifetime, the carbon footprint of any company can be greatly reduced. Stainless steel is inherently diffusion-free, meaning [a proper cleaning](https://www.metanousa.com/ibc-services/) makes each **tote tank** good as new after each use. At the end of a unit's service life, the raw materials can again be cleaned and reprocessed into an entirely new product, keeping waste out of landfills. ## ![drumandtank](https://metanousa.com/hs-fs/file-619061344-png/images/drumandtank2.png?width=265&height=181&name=drumandtank2.png) IBCs also offer completely drainable functionality. If transporting needed ingredients rather than discarded waste, stainless steel totes are easy to fully discharge without the use of a pump, ensuring as little product is wasted as possible. After all, getting what we need out of the storage unit is just as important as getting it in safely and conveniently. Of course, the most logical reason stainless steel **tote tanks** are better than drums is simply the improved storage utilization. A single 350-gallon IBC will use less space than six 55-gallon drums and require much less work to move around. The [modular shape of steel totes](https://www.metanousa.com/intermediate-bulk-containers/) makes them a better fit for most larger containers, and reduce wasted space. IBCs can be stacked just as high as drums but pack more content in that same height. If your company cares about utilizing its space in the most efficient manner, demonstrating environmental ideals, reducing unnecessary costs, and lowering employee risk, making the switch from outdated cylindrical storage drums to modern stainless steel IBCs may be the next step on your plan to grander successes. These storage totes have a lifespan of 20 years and can help bring a lot of progress to your business in those two decades. *Download our [free e-Buyers guide](https://metanousa.com/free-e-buyers-guide---drum-vs-ibcs/) to learn more about the advantages of using stainless steel IBCs over drums.* *Contact us for more information at [info@metanousa.com](mailto:info@metanousa.com) or 800-634-4128.* [![drums vs ibcs](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/163881/0fa67045-5c5a-4675-8f9e-2c114e6fd0d8.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/163881/0fa67045-5c5a-4675-8f9e-2c114e6fd0d8) Topics: [stainless steel totes](https://metanousa.com/blog/topic/stainless-steel-totes), [tote tank](https://metanousa.com/blog/topic/tote-tank) ## We welcome your comments ### Search ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Share [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmetanousa.com%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F341000%2FWhy-Tote-Tanks-Are-Better-Than-Drums%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmetanousa.com%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F341000%2FWhy-Tote-Tanks-Are-Better-Than-Drums%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmetanousa.com%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F341000%2FWhy-Tote-Tanks-Are-Better-Than-Drums%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmetanousa.com%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F341000%2FWhy-Tote-Tanks-Are-Better-Than-Drums%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Why%20Tote%20Tanks%20Are%20Better%20Than%20Drums.) 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