Industrial Storage Bins & Containers — Plastic Bins, Totes & Systems
Plastic storage bins, warehouse bins, heavy-duty containers and stack-and-nest totes for manufacturing, distribution and maintenance operations — plus the shelving, louvered panels and carts that turn loose bins into a working parts system. We help you size the mix, then supply it.
3,900+
bin, tote & container SKUs in our catalog
22
sizes in the Ultra hang-and-stack line alone
150 lb
stack capacity on heavy-duty MAGNUM bins
800 lb
per-shelf capacity on bin shelving systems
Industrial storage bins, built for parts that move every day
A storage bin looks like the simplest product in a warehouse, and it is the one most often bought wrong. A bin that is an inch too deep for the shelf wastes a whole run of shelving. A bin with no rear hang-lock cannot tilt out for picking. An open hopper front that is too shallow spills small hardware every time a picker reaches in. Multiply that across a 4,000-position parts room and the wrong bin quietly costs more than the shelving it sits on.
Bin families are grouped here the way buyers actually shop them: by shelf depth, by stack height, and by how the parts move. Material Handling USA is a supplier and project partner for the Quantum Storage Systems line — one of the widest injection-molded bin catalogs made in the United States — and we stock, quote and deliver it alongside the steel shelving, wire shelving, louvered panels and carts the bins mount to. That means you can specify a bin, the shelf it hangs on and the cart it rides on from one source, in one quote, with one delivery. For the whole picture, including shelving, cabinets and carts, see the full Quantum Storage Systems line.
What this page covers
Every major industrial bin family we supply — shelf bins, hang-and-stack bins, heavy-duty containers, stack-and-nest totes, dividable grid containers, tip-out bins, clear bins and conductive ESD bins — with real dimensions, real capacities, and guidance on which family fits which job. Healthcare and clinical storage is handled by our sister company; see Labs USA healthcare storage solutions for that side of the catalog.
- Shelf depth first. Bins are engineered around 12", 18" and 24" deep shelving — pick the depth, then the bin.
- Then pick height. 4", 6" and 8" front heights change usable volume dramatically.
- Then pick mounting. Shelf, louvered panel, rail, bench rack, cart or pallet rack.
- Then colors and labels. Color coding and label holders are what make the system stick.
Bin family selector
Ten families cover almost every industrial storage problem. Start with the job — small hardware at a bench, bulky castings on deep shelving, work-in-process moving between cells, returnable totes on a delivery route — and the family narrows itself quickly. Each card links to the matching stocked products so you can see live sizes and colors.
Shelf Bins (4", 6", 8")Economy 4", Store-More 6" and Store-Max 8" hopper-front bins for 12", 18" and 24" deep shelving. The default choice for small-parts picking.
Ultra Hang-and-Stack Bins22 sizes with a full-width hanger, extra-wide stacking ledge and anti-slide stop — the workhorse bin for louvered panels, rails and benches.
Stackable Shelf BinsTen sizes in four lengths and three widths for medium and large items; 12", 14" and 18" deep bins include a rear hanger for panels and rails.
MAGNUM Heavy-Duty BinsSix sizes, double-wall thickness with a preformed interlocking lip and up to 150 lb stack capacity for large, heavy parts.
HULK 24", 30" & 36" ContainersExtra-long stacking containers from two to three feet in length for bulky items on deep shelving, with heavy-duty front, back and side grips.
RackBin 42" ContainersBuilt specifically to fit 42" deep pallet rack with no wasted bay depth. Three sizes, two colors, drainage hole pattern in the base.
Giant Stack ContainersWide-open hopper fronts that stack up to six high for bulk parts, recycling and warehouse consumables.
Dividable Grid ContainersGrid-divided containers for kitting and sub-assembly, used on wire shelving systems rated up to 600–800 lb per shelf.
Stack-and-Nest TotesNine sizes of returnable tote that stack loaded and nest empty — route delivery, transfers between plants and internal WIP.
Tip-Out & Small-Parts BinsClear tip-out compartments that swing to 45° and lift out entirely, for benches, tool rooms and wall-mounted service areas.Shelf bins: Economy 4", Store-More 6" and Store-Max 8"
Shelf bins are the bins most people picture: a sloped open hopper front, a molded-in label holder, reinforced edges and a built-in rear hang-lock that lets the bin tilt out for full access while it stays on the shelf. They are engineered for 12", 18" and 24" deep shelf units, racks and standard industrial shelving, which is why they drop into an existing parts room without re-shelving anything.
The three heights exist because usable volume, not footprint, is normally the constraint. Quantum publishes the difference plainly: the Store-More 6" bin gives roughly 68% more storage capacity than a standard 4" shelf bin, and the Store-Max 8" bin gives about 95% more than the 4" and 65% more than the 6". If your bins are chronically over-filled but the shelf run is fixed, going taller is cheaper than going wider.
All three heights accept optional dividers — each 8" bin takes up to seven — plus bin cups with slotted label holders and clear label holders with laser-printable inserts. Divider label tabs clip onto existing dividers so barcodes stay scannable after a bin is subdivided. That accessory set is what makes a par-level system practical: one bin, several controlled part numbers, all still labelled.
| Shelf bin family | Front height | Designed shelf depths | Published capacity gain | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy 4" Shelf Bins | 4" | 12", 18", 24" | Baseline | Fasteners, fittings, electrical components, high-count small parts |
| Store-More 6" Shelf Bins | 6" | 12", 18", 24" | ~68% more than 4" | Mixed hardware, sub-assemblies, MRO consumables |
| Store-Max 8" Shelf Bins | 8" | 12", 18", 24" | ~95% more than 4", ~65% more than 6" | Bulkier parts, kitting, anything chronically over-filled |
| Stackable Shelf Bins | Varies by size (10 sizes) | 12", 14", 18" incl. rear hanger | Raised front opening vs. comparable bins | Medium and large items, bench racks, panels and rails |
Shelf bins are stocked in the standard industrial colors — blue, red, yellow, green, ivory, black, grey and clear — and clear tri-clear polypropylene versions exist across the Economy, Store-More and Store-Max ranges when visual inventory checks matter more than color coding. Browse the stocked range in our shelf bin category, or the full Quantum bin and storage catalog.
Ultra hang-and-stack bins and louvered panel systems
Hang-and-stack bins do two jobs with one part number. A full-width hanger on the back lets the bin hang from a louvered panel or bin rail; an extra-wide stacking ledge and an anti-slide stop let the same bin stack on a bench or shelf without creeping forward. That is why the Ultra line is the bin most often specified when a workstation, a service van shelf and a stockroom shelf all need to share one bin standard.
The line runs to 22 sizes, from roughly 5-3/8" x 4-1/8" x 3" up to 18" x 16-1/2" x 11", with published bin load capacities from about 15 lb to 80 lb depending on size. Reinforced rib design keeps side walls from spreading under load; a large front label slot takes a full barcode label rather than a hand-written tag. Standard colors are blue, green, ivory, red, yellow, black and clear, with stone and crystal clear offered in selected sizes.
Options are worth planning up front: clear windows raise usable fill height and keep dust off parts, dividers subdivide the bin, clear lids close it, and a polymer dolly (30"L x 18"W, up to 1,000 lb load capacity) turns a stack into a movable unit. Selected sizes are also available as mobile bins on four 3" braked polyurethane casters with up to 250 lb mobile load capacity.
Because the hanger and the panel are a matched system, the fastest way to reclaim floor space in a crowded maintenance shop is usually vertical: louvered panels, wall-mount rails and bench racks put the high-frequency bins at eye level above the work surface and leave the shelving for slower-moving stock. We quote panels, rails, mounting frames and the bin mix together so the panel arrives full rather than empty.
Heavy-duty containers: MAGNUM, HULK, RackBin and Giant Stack
When parts get heavy or long, the ordinary shelf bin stops working — the walls flex, the stack shifts, and the bin no longer matches the depth of the storage it sits in. Four families cover that territory, and they are genuinely different products rather than size steps of the same bin.
MAGNUM bins
Six sizes, five colors. Extra-heavy double-wall construction with a preformed lip so bins interlock, giving up to 150 lb stack capacity. An open hopper front gives immediate access, ribbed reinforced walls handle the load, and a rear molded handle makes them realistic to carry. The resin resists most solvents, corrosion and rot and holds up from -40°F to 250°F. Mobile versions add four braked 3" polyurethane casters for up to 250 lb mobile capacity and still stack with casters in place; the largest mobile size includes a heavy-duty spread bar.
HULK containers
The long-parts answer. HULK 24" containers come in 10 sizes and 4 colors with a full two feet of length; HULK 30" and 36" containers add 14 more sizes in 3 colors at two-and-a-half to three feet. All have heavy-duty front, back and side grips, a wide stacking ledge with an anti-slide lock, and three divider slots (8-1/4" wide bins have one). Optional clear styrene window fronts raise capacity and let a picker see the contents without pulling the bin.
RackBin 42" containers
The only bin in this catalog designed specifically around pallet rack: at roughly 41-7/8" long it fills a 42" deep rack bay with no dead depth behind it, in three sizes and two colors. Heavy-duty grips on the front, back and sides make a loaded container manageable, a wide stacking ledge and anti-slide lock keep stacks square, and an eight-hole 1/4" drill pattern in the base can be opened for drainage or air circulation. If you are storing bulk parts on rack today in gaylords or cut-down cartons, this is the upgrade that makes the bay countable.
Giant Stack containers
Wide-open hopper fronts for large parts, tools and warehouse items, molded from high-density tri-clear virgin-grade polypropylene, easy to clean and unaffected by most chemicals. They stack up to six high to build a tall bulk storage column, carry a large label holder, and offer optional clear window fronts plus a six-hole 1/4" drainage pattern. Complete steel shelving packages built around them deliver up to 400 lb per shelf and over 21 cubic feet of storage in a single unit.
| Heavy-duty family | Length range | Sizes / colors | Key published capacity | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAGNUM Bins | Up to 29"L | 6 sizes / 5 colors | Up to 150 lb stack capacity; -40°F to 250°F | Heavy castings, weldments, transport between cells |
| HULK 24" Containers | ~24"L | 10 sizes / 4 colors | Three divider slots; optional window front | Long or bulky parts on deep shelving |
| HULK 30" & 36" Containers | ~30–36"L | 14 sizes / 3 colors | Wide stacking ledge with anti-slide lock | Extra-long stock, extrusions, tubing, trim |
| RackBin 42" Containers | ~41-7/8"L | 3 sizes / 2 colors | Sized to 42" deep pallet rack; drainable base | Bulk parts stored on pallet rack |
| Giant Stack Containers | ~15–20"L | Multiple sizes; clear and solid | Stacks up to 6 high; 400 lb/shelf steel packages | Bulk consumables, recycling, large loose parts |
Stack-and-nest totes, straight-wall containers and tubs
Bins hold parts in place; totes move them. The distinction matters when you are buying, because a returnable container spends half its life empty and the cost of shipping air back is real. Stack-and-nest geometry solves that: rotate the tote 180° and it nests inside the one below, so a return trip or a storage rack takes a fraction of the space.
Stackers: straight-wall stacking containers
Where nesting is not needed, straight-wall Stackers give more cubic capacity for the same footprint. They are injection molded from high-density polyethylene with reinforced corners, hold up to 175 lb stack capacity, and their straight-wall geometry stacks modularly across sizes on a standard pallet — useful for shipping, storage and work-in-process alike. Finger-grip handles on two sides make them comfortable to carry, and a flat front panel takes a 3" x 5" adhesive clear label holder for part identification or barcodes. Polymer dollies in 24"L x 15"W and 30"L x 18"W, both rated up to 1,000 lb load capacity, convert a stack into a movable unit.
Dividable grid containers
Dividable grid containers sit between a bin and a tote: a closed rectangular container with a molded grid pattern that accepts length and width dividers, so one container can hold a controlled kit of several part numbers without them migrating. They are the standard choice for kitting carts and sub-assembly feeds, and they are stocked in clear as well as solid colors. Wire shelving systems built around them are rated up to 600–800 lb per shelf, and a mobile kit (four 5" x 1-1/4" swivel casters, two braked, up to 1,200 lb capacity) converts a stationary unit into a rolling kit cart.
Specialty bins: tip-out, clear-view and conductive ESD
Tip-out bins
Space-saving units that keep small and medium parts sorted at a bench or on a wall. The clear, break-resistant compartments tip open smoothly to a 45° angle and lift out completely for refilling, and each has a molded handle with a label slot. The polystyrene cabinet can be stacked or wall mounted, with exteriors stocked in ivory, grey and white. Options include dividers for the larger cups, a locking rod that keeps 23-5/8" wide bins from tilting open in traffic, louvered panel brackets, and floor stands including mobile versions.
Clear-View bins
The Clear-View range runs the same geometry as the standard families in tri-clear virgin-grade polypropylene: clear shelf bins, clear hang-and-stack bins, clear HULK and Giant Stack containers, clear dividable grid containers and clear totes. Where cycle counting or shift handovers depend on seeing contents without pulling a bin, specifying clear across a run pays for itself in count accuracy. Complete clear bin centers are available as pre-configured units, for example a 12"W x 36"L x 39"H bin center carrying four different bin sizes.
Conductive / ESD bins
For electronics assembly, board repair and component stores, the conductive line mirrors the standard bin shapes in a carbon-filled copolymer polypropylene. The manufacturer states an electrostatic decay rate of less than 0.1 second as tested by ASTM-D257 methods, with surface resistivity below 105 ohms per square, and describes the material as permanently conductive and unaffected by washing with normal cleaners. The range covers conductive hang-and-stack bins, conductive shelf bins, conductive dividable grid containers, hanging and wall-mount systems, bin carts, and wire utility carts, trays and tray carts.
One practical note: conductive bins are one element of an ESD program, not the program itself. Bins must be properly grounded for your specific use, and your ESD coordinator sets the requirement — we supply the hardware and the layout, and we will not tell you it certifies anything.
How to size and select a bin system
Most bin projects fail on one of five details, and all five are decided before anything is ordered. This is the sequence we use when we quote a parts room, and it works whether you are buying 40 bins or 4,000.
Measure the storage, not the bin
Start with the shelf or rack you already have: clear depth, clear width between posts and clear height between shelf levels. Bin families are engineered around 12″, 18″, 24″ and 42″ depths, so the storage decides the family.
Classify parts by movement
Fast-moving small parts belong at waist-to-eye level in shallow bins with hopper fronts. Slow bulk belongs low or high in HULK, RackBin or Giant Stack containers. Movement, not size, drives the layout.
Fix the front height
4″, 6″ or 8″ front height changes usable volume far more than a wider bin does. When bins overflow but the run is fixed, go taller before you go wider.
Choose mounting and mobility
Shelf, louvered panel, bin rail, bench rack, cart, dolly or pallet rack. Decide this before you order, because hangers, rails and mobile kits are family-specific.
Lock in colors, dividers and labels
Color code by department, cell or part class; add dividers and bin cups where one bin must hold several part numbers; and specify label holders and inserts so the scheme survives its first busy week.
Quick reference: which family for which shelf depth
- 12" deep shelving — Economy 4", Store-More 6" and Store-Max 8" shelf bins; small Ultra hang-and-stack sizes.
- 18" deep shelving — the full shelf bin range, stackable shelf bins, dividable grid containers, larger Ultra sizes.
- 24" deep shelving — deep shelf bins, HULK 24" containers, MAGNUM bins, Giant Stack containers.
- 30–36" deep shelving — HULK 30" and 36" containers for long stock.
- 42" deep pallet rack — RackBin 42" containers, purpose-built for the bay.
- Wall and bench — louvered panels, bin rails, bench racks and tip-out units with hang-and-stack bins.
Mistakes we see most often
Buying bins without the hanger system. Bins that were meant to hang end up stacked loose on shelves, and the pick face disappears.
One bin size for everything. A single size guarantees half the bins are two-thirds empty. Three or four sizes across the same run is normal and costs less overall.
Skipping label holders. Marker on the front of a bin lasts one reorganization. Molded label slots plus printed inserts are what keep a system auditable.
Ignoring temperature and washdown. Cold storage, wash areas and hot process zones narrow the material choice — tell us the environment and we will keep the specification honest.
Complete bin systems: shelving, panels, cabinets and carts
Bins are rarely the whole answer. The reason a parts room works is the combination — the right bin on the right shelf at the right height, with a cart to bring it to the job. We supply and quote all of it together, and complete packages ship as pre-matched kits rather than a parts list you have to reconcile.
For the shelving side of the decision, see our bin shelving systems page for bin-and-shelving units, pick racks and complete packages, and industrial steel shelving or shelving solutions when the shelving itself is the project. If your standard is a different bin brand, we also supply LEWISBins+ bins and containers and can match an existing plant standard rather than force a changeover. Stocked bin and shelving products are listed in the Quantum product category, shelf bins, wire shelving and shelving units.
Shop Online at MaterialHandling-USA.com
Buying a small quantity and want it in a cart today? Our e-commerce store carries bins, totes and compartmented storage units for direct online ordering.
Where industrial bins earn their keep
These are the environments we quote bins for most often. Each one has a different failure mode, which is why the bin mix looks different in each.
Maintenance & MRO parts roomsThe problem: thousands of low-value parts, no countable locations. Shelf bins with dividers and printed labels turn a storeroom into an auditable stock list.
Warehouse & 3PL pick facesThe problem: pick density. Shallow hopper-front bins on 12"–18" shelving multiply pick faces per aisle foot; slanted shelves present the opening to the picker.
Bulk storage on pallet rackThe problem: bulk parts in cut-down cartons that cannot be counted. RackBin 42" containers fill the bay depth exactly and stay countable for years.
Manufacturing cells & WIPThe problem: work-in-process moving between operations. HULK and MAGNUM containers, dividable grid containers and bin carts keep kits together and traceable between cells.
Fabrication & long stockThe problem: extrusions, tubing and trim with nowhere sensible to live. HULK 30" and 36" containers on deep shelving stop long stock from being stored on the floor.
Electronics, service & bench workThe problem: small components at a workstation, sometimes ESD-sensitive. Bench racks, louvered panels, tip-out units and conductive bins keep the bench organized without consuming it.Bins also do quieter work that rarely makes a specification: staging returns and RMA processing, holding consumables at a packing bench next to shipping supplies, organizing tool cribs, and separating recycling streams in production areas. If you can describe the parts and the space, we can size the mix.
Bin family comparison at a glance
One table, all ten families, so a decision can be made without reading the whole page. Dimensions and capacities are as published by the manufacturer for the current line; where a range is shown it is because the figure varies by size, and we confirm the exact model before quoting.
| Family | Form | Mounting | Published capacity / notes | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy 4" / Store-More 6" / Store-Max 8" Shelf Bins | Open hopper front, rear hang-lock | 12"/18"/24" shelving, racks, sloped shelves | 6" ≈ +68% vs 4"; 8" ≈ +95% vs 4" | Small-parts picking is the core job |
| Ultra Hang-and-Stack Bins | Hopper front with full-width hanger | Louvered panels, rails, benches, shelves | 22 sizes; ~15–80 lb bin load capacity | One bin standard has to work on wall, bench and shelf |
| Stackable Shelf Bins | Raised front opening, rear hanger on 12/14/18" | Shelving, panels, rails | 10 sizes in 4 lengths and 3 widths | Parts are medium to large but still hand-picked |
| MAGNUM Bins | Double-wall heavy-duty, interlocking lip | Shelving, dollies, mobile casters | Up to 150 lb stack capacity; -40°F to 250°F | Parts are heavy and get moved |
| HULK 24" / 30" / 36" Containers | Extra-long stacking container | Deep shelving, dollies, mobile | 24 sizes across the range; 3 divider slots | Parts are long or bulky |
| RackBin 42" Containers | 42"-long stacking container | Pallet rack, deep shelving | 3 sizes / 2 colors; drainable base pattern | Bulk storage lives on pallet rack |
| Giant Stack Containers | Wide-open hopper front | Shelving, steel packages, mobile | Stacks up to 6 high; 400 lb/shelf packages | Bulk consumables need a tall column |
| Dividable Grid Containers | Closed container with divider grid | Wire shelving, kit carts | Systems rated up to 600–800 lb per shelf | Kits must stay together and separated |
| Stack-and-Nest Totes / Stackers / Tubs | Returnable totes and straight-wall containers | Shelving, pallets, dollies | 9 tote sizes; Stackers up to 175 lb stack capacity | Containers travel and come back empty |
| Tip-Out, Clear-View & Conductive Bins | Specialty geometries and materials | Bench, wall, panels, floor stands | Tip-out opens to 45°; conductive decay <0.1 sec (ASTM-D257, per manufacturer) | The environment sets the requirement |
How we quote a bin project
We are a supplier and project partner, not an order-entry screen. A bin quote from us includes the layout thinking, because that is where the money actually is.
Send us the space
Shelf or rack dimensions, a photo of the area, and a rough idea of the part mix. A phone call is usually enough to start.
We size the bin mix
We work out the bin families, sizes, quantities and mounting hardware that fit your storage, and flag anything that needs a different family.
You get a clear quote
One quote covering bins, shelving, panels, rails, carts, dividers and labels, with model numbers you can verify.
Delivery and setup support
We coordinate delivery, and for larger parts-room projects we help with sequencing so the space stays usable while it changes over.
Straight answers on the things people ask us privately
We are a supplier and project partner for the Quantum line, not the manufacturer, and we do not claim certifications on their behalf. We will tell you when a cheaper family does the same job, when a bin is wrong for a temperature or washdown environment, and when your existing shelving should be reused instead of replaced. If you already standardized on another bin brand, we would rather match your standard than sell you a changeover.
Storage bin FAQs
What is the difference between a shelf bin and a hang-and-stack bin?
Which bin height should I choose — 4", 6" or 8"?
What shelf depths do these bins fit?
How much weight can these bins actually hold?
Can bins be made mobile?
Do you supply bins that are safe for electronics assembly?
What is the difference between a stack-and-nest tote and a straight-wall container?
Can I get bins in specific colors for department color coding?
Do you sell complete bin and shelving packages, or just the bins?
How do I get a quote and how fast can bins ship?
Related products & categories
Bin Shelving SystemsBin-and-shelving units, pick racks and complete packages built around the bin families on this page.
Industrial Steel ShelvingSolid steel shelving for parts rooms, stockrooms and maintenance areas — the shelving most bins sit on.
Shop Shelf BinsLive stocked shelf bin sizes, colors and clear options ready to order.
Shop All Bins & ContainersThe full stocked bin, tote and container range, including hang-and-stack, heavy-duty and specialty lines.Get the right bin mix the first time
Send us your shelf dimensions and part mix. We will size the bin families, quantities and mounting hardware, and quote it as one package — bins, shelving, panels and carts.