Plastic Totes and Plastic Bins
Plastic totes and plastic bins are an essential storage and material handling solution for warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing operations, and automated systems. They are used to organize products, improve picking accuracy, support internal transport, and protect inventory during storage and movement. Compared with disposable packaging or less durable containers, reusable plastic totes offer long-term durability, consistency, and efficiency in a wide range of applications.
RACO provides plastic tote and plastic bin solutions for shelving, ASRS systems, dispatch operations, and general warehouse storage.
What Are Plastic Totes and Plastic Bins?
Plastic totes and plastic bins are reusable containers designed for storing, organizing, transporting, and handling products or components in industrial, warehouse, and commercial environments. They are available in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and configurations depending on the application, product type, and handling method.
These containers are commonly used in shelving systems, automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), order fulfillment areas, dispatch operations, and production facilities. Because they are durable, easy to handle, and available in standardized designs, plastic totes and bins help improve storage efficiency and operational consistency.
Benefits of Plastic Totes and Plastic Bins
- Durable and reusable for long-term use
- Helps organize inventory and small products
- Improves picking and handling efficiency
- Suitable for manual, static, and automated storage systems
- Available in many sizes and configurations
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Supports standardized storage and transport processes
- Helps reduce product damage during movement
- Works well in warehouses, manufacturing, and distribution operations
- Can improve space utilization and workflow consistency
For many operations, plastic bins and totes provide a practical, repeatable storage solution that improves organization, supports accurate handling, and fits both manual and automated workflows.
Types of Plastic Totes and Plastic Bins
Plastic totes and plastic bins are available in several designs to support different storage, automation, and fulfillment requirements. The right choice depends on how the container will be used, what products it will hold, and whether it will be stored on shelves, moved through automation, or used in dispatch and distribution processes.
Below are some of the most common types of plastic bins and totes used in warehouse operations.
Plastic Tray
A plastic tray is a shallow container used for organizing, storing, or transporting small parts, components, and lightweight products. Plastic trays are commonly used in manufacturing, assembly, picking, and workstations where visibility and easy access to items are important. Because of their low-profile design, they are useful when products need to be handled quickly and arranged neatly.
Benefits
- Good visibility and access to contents
- Suitable for small parts and components
- Useful for workstations, picking, and assembly
- Easy to stack or organize in process areas
Storage Tote for ASRS Systems
Storage totes used in ASRS systems are designed for automated storage and retrieval environments where consistent dimensions, reliable handling, and compatibility with automation are essential.
These totes are commonly used in distribution centers, micro-fulfillment operations, and high-density storage systems where products are automatically stored and retrieved.
Benefits
- Designed for automated handling
- Consistent dimensions for reliable system performance
- Suitable for high-density automated storage
- Helps support efficient order fulfillment and inventory control
Storage Tote for Static Shelves
Storage totes for static shelves are used in shelving systems, picking areas, and manual storage locations where products need to be organized and easily accessible. These totes help separate inventory, improve slotting, and support more efficient manual picking and replenishment.
Benefits
- Ideal for shelf-based storage systems
- Improves product organization and access
- Supports efficient manual picking
- Helps keep inventory separated and visible
Dispatch Tote
A dispatch tote is designed for order consolidation, transport, and shipment preparation within warehouse and distribution environments. These totes are often used to move picked orders through packing, sorting, staging, and dispatch areas. Dispatch totes help maintain order accuracy, improve handling efficiency, and protect products during delivery.
Benefits
- Supports order fulfillment and dispatch workflows
- Helps consolidate picked items
- Improves handling between picking, packing, and shipping areas
- Reusable and durable for repeated warehouse use
How to Choose the Right Plastic Tote or Bin?
Choosing the right plastic tote or plastic bin depends on the application, product dimensions, handling method, and storage environment. In manual operations, visibility, ergonomics, and shelf fit may be most important. In automated systems, consistent dimensions and compatibility with conveyors or ASRS equipment are critical.
For dispatch operations, the tote should support efficient movement, consolidation, and repeated use.
- Product size and weight
- Manual or automated handling
- Static shelving or ASRS storage
- Picking and replenishment requirements
- Stackability and nesting needs
- Cleanliness and maintenance requirements
- Workflow between storage, picking, and dispatch
Selecting the right tote helps improve storage efficiency, reduce handling issues, and support smoother warehouse operations.
Common Applications for Plastic Totes and Plastic Bins
Plastic totes and plastic bins are used in many industries because they help organize inventory, support efficient handling, and improve workflow across storage and fulfillment processes. Different tote types can be matched to shelving, automation, dispatch, production, and internal transport requirements.
- Warehousing and distribution
- ASRS and automated storage systems
- Static shelving and picking operations
- Manufacturing and assembly
- Spare parts storage
- Order fulfillment and dispatch
- Retail backroom organization
- General industrial material handling
These applications benefit from plastic totes because they are durable, reusable, easy to handle, and adaptable to both manual and automated operations.
Why Choose RACO for Plastic Totes and Plastic Bins?
RACO provides plastic tote and plastic bin solutions for warehousing, automation, shelving, and dispatch operations. Whether the need is for ASRS-compatible totes, shelf storage bins, plastic trays, or dispatch containers, our team can help identify the right solution for the application.
We work with customers to match container type, dimensions, and use case to a practical and durable solution. The result is a plastic tote or bin system that supports efficient storage, reliable handling, and long-term operational performance.
Request a Plastic Tote or Plastic Bin Solution
Looking for plastic totes or plastic bins for shelving, ASRS systems, order fulfillment, or dispatch operations?
Contact RACO to discuss your requirements and get a solution tailored to your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are plastic totes used for?
Plastic totes are used for storing, organizing, transporting, and handling products or components in warehouses, fulfillment centers, manufacturing areas, and automated systems.
What is the difference between a plastic tote and a plastic bin?
The terms are often used interchangeably, but in many operations a tote may refer to a container used for transport or fulfillment, while a bin may refer more generally to a storage container used on shelves, in work areas, or in industrial storage.
What type of plastic tote is used in ASRS systems?
ASRS systems typically use storage totes with consistent dimensions and designs that are compatible with automated handling, storage, and retrieval equipment.
What is a dispatch tote?
A dispatch tote is a reusable container used to move consolidated orders through packing, staging, sorting, and shipping preparation areas.
Are plastic bins suitable for static shelves?
Yes. Plastic storage bins and totes are commonly used on static shelves to organize inventory, improve picking efficiency, and support manual storage operations.
Talk to RACO About Your Plastic Tote and Bin Requirements
Our team can help you choose the right plastic trays, totes, and bins for storage, shelving, automation, and dispatch applications.
Contact RACO today to get started.
