Every tote that leaves our yard has a paper tag wired through the cage. The tag is small — about 4 by 6 inches — and it has nine fields. Here's what each one means, in order.
Lot number
A 7-character code, prefix IL-, plus four digits and a letter. The four digits encode the wash batch (sequential, year-rolling) and the letter encodes the bay (A or B). Your inbound receipt should reference this lot. If we ever need to recall a wash batch, this is the field that finds the affected tanks.
Prior fill
What was in the tank before us. Free-text but constrained to a controlled vocabulary of 47 entries — "Edible vegetable oil," "Glycerin USP," "Glycol concentrate," "Soap concentrate, neutral," etc. If we can't determine the prior fill confidently, the tank doesn't qualify for Grade A regardless of how clean it looks.
Wash process
A 3-letter code indicating the sequence of wash stages applied: HR (hot rinse), HRC (hot rinse + caustic), HRCN (hot rinse + caustic + neutral), HRCNP (full tri-stage + potable polish — required for Grade A).
Wash dates
Two dates: caustic wash date and final potable rinse date. Usually 0 to 2 days apart. Auditors look here to verify the tank hasn't sat between stages.
Gasket replacement
Either "N/A — reseated, inspected ok," or "Replaced — material, date." Material codes: EPDM (standard food-grade), SIL (silicone), VIT (Viton). Auditors will ask which gasket is in the tank — this field tells them.
Valve type
The valve currently installed on the outlet — BVL (2-inch ball valve), CL (2-inch cam-lock), S60 (S60×6 buttress), S100 (S100×8 buttress), etc.
Grade assignment
A, B, C, or D. Determined after the wash, not before. Tanks that don't meet their target grade get reassigned to a lower grade rather than re-cycled.
Technician initials
The wash bay tech who signed off on the lot. If your auditor needs a deposition someday, this is the name they'll ask for.
QR code
A 2D code that links back to our internal lot database. Scan it and you get the full digital record — same fields, plus photos taken at intake.
The chain-of-custody tag is the bridge between our wash bay and your auditor. Don't throw it away. Most copackers will ask to see it.