Potable / emergency water storage, built from a recycled IBC tote
A documented previous-food-use bladder, cleaned and clearly labelled for non-potable or verified potable use, matches purpose-sold emergency tanks on capacity while reusing a container that would otherwise be scrapped.
Recycled IBC
Reuses a durable, standardised container. Diverts it from scrap and avoids new-material carbon.
an emergency water tank
A purpose-built product — bought new, moulded or fabricated from virgin material.
IBC Tanks — potable water storage safety (NSF 61, cleaning) →
A real-world write-up with photos of this reuse in practice.
A documented previous-food-use bladder, cleaned and clearly labelled for non-potable or verified potable use, matches purpose-sold emergency tanks on capacity while reusing a container that would otherwise be scrapped. That advantage is real for this job specifically — not a blanket claim that a tote is best for everything.
Suitability & safety
This is a water- or contact-adjacent use. Use only a documented previous-food-use bladder that has been properly cleaned; never use a non-food or unknown-history tote for it.
For any water-holding reuse, shield the bladder from sunlight to prevent algae, fit food-safe fittings, and rinse thoroughly before first use.