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Multi-Purpose Laboratory Containers for Specimen and Reagent Storage

Multi-purpose laboratory containers are wide-mouth, lidded PP and HDPE vessels for specimen collection, tissue fixation, reagent and buffer storage, and waste collection across bench and cold-storage workflows. Globe Scientific's range spans PP Tite-Rite containers (40–90 mL, with formalin pre-filled option), PP graduated specimen cups (90–120 mL with ¼-turn caps), and HDPE economy containers (240 mL–2500 mL with snap lids). PP formats are autoclavable (121°C); HDPE is rated from −100°C to +120°C. MBP ships to labs across the US, Canada, and internationally and is a registered vendor for Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Vanderbilt University, and MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Contact our team at customerservice@mbpinc.net for product recommendations, bulk pricing, and purchasing assistance.

Multi-Purpose Containers

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What Are Laboratory Multi-Purpose Containers?

Laboratory multi-purpose containers are wide-mouth, lidded plastic vessels designed for a broad range of storage, collection, and transport applications—reagent and buffer holding, clinical specimen collection, waste collection, tissue fixation, and general sample handling. Globe Scientific's container line covers PP graduated specimen containers (30–120 mL with screw caps) for clinical applications, PP Tite-Rite wide-mouth containers (40–90 mL) for histology and specimen transport, and HDPE economy containers (240 mL–2580 mL with snap lids) for bench-accessible reagent and buffer storage. PP containers are autoclavable at 121°C; HDPE containers offer the broadest chemical compatibility for non-sterile applications. Polypropylene is the correct material for formalin fixation; do not use polystyrene containers with aldehyde-based fixatives.

What you will find:

Small containers (0.25 mL to 5 mL) for micro samples and testing
Medium containers (10 mL to 250 mL) for routine lab use
Large containers (500 mL to 2 L+) for bulk storage
Snap-cap containers for quick and secure closure
Screw-cap containers for leak-resistant storage
Clear containers for easy sample visibility

How to Choose Multi-Purpose Lab Containers

Material Match to Contents

PP is the correct choice for specimen collection, urine, tissue, formalin, and sterile applications because it is autoclavable and compatible with most biological fluids and fixatives. HDPE is preferred for chemical storage such as acids, bases, buffers, DI water, and waste collection due to its broad chemical resistance and low leachables. Compatibility with aggressive solvents should always be confirmed before selection.

Closure and Access Speed

Quarter-turn snap caps allow rapid one-hand sealing and are commonly used in high-throughput clinical specimen collection. Full-thread screw caps require multiple rotations and provide a more secure closure suitable for transport and long-term storage. Snap lids on HDPE economy containers are intended for frequent bench access and simple dust protection rather than sealed transport.

Graduated vs Non-Graduated

Graduated containers include volume markings in mL and oz, allowing approximate volume measurement during specimen collection and reagent dispensing. Non-graduated containers are designed for bulk storage where precision is not required, and external measuring tools are used when exact volumes are needed.

Sterile vs Non-Sterile

Sterile PP containers (gamma-irradiated, SAL 10⁻⁶) are required for microbiological, urine, stool, and tissue specimens where contamination would affect results. Non-sterile HDPE containers are used for chemical storage, buffer preparation, and waste handling.

Compare Multi-Purpose Container Formats

PP Tite-Rite wide-mouth containers are available in 40 mL and 90 mL sizes and feature full-thread screw caps; they are commonly used for tissue fixation and specimen transport and are available sterile or pre-filled with 10% neutral buffered formalin. PP graduated specimen cups in the 90–120 mL range use ¼-turn screw caps and are widely used for clinical urine and stool collection. HDPE economy containers come in smaller 240 mL sizes for reagent sub-aliquots and larger 2580 mL sizes for bulk reagent storage and waste collection; both use snap lids and are non-sterile.

Specifications Context

Globe Scientific PP containers are manufactured from virgin polypropylene compliant with FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 and are ISO 9001:2015 certified. HDPE containers are precision-molded from virgin resin with smooth interior surfaces and low leachables suitable for chemical storage. Pre-filled Tite-Rite NBF containers contain 10% neutral buffered formalin and are supplied with GHS-compliant hazard labeling in transport-safe packaging. As of 2026, 90 mL PP specimen containers remain the standard format in clinical urinalysis and histopathology specimen workflows. Explore storage boxes and racks for tube organization and jerricans for bulk liquid handling.

Connect with the MBP team today to discuss your specific volume requirements and material preferences, and let us help you find the perfect multi-purpose container for your daily demands.

FAQ

Multi-purpose laboratory containers are wide-mouth, lidded plastic containers used for a broad range of applications: reagent and buffer storage, specimen collection and transport, waste collection, sample mixing, and general liquid handling. Globe Scientific's HDPE economy multi-purpose containers are available in 8 oz (240 mL) through 86 oz (2580 mL) with separate snap lids, and PP Tite-Rite wide-mouth containers in 40 mL and 90 mL with screw caps. HDPE containers resist most acids, bases, and aqueous solutions; PP containers are autoclavable for sterile applications.

Laboratory multi-purpose containers are most commonly manufactured from HDPE (high-density polyethylene) or polypropylene (PP). HDPE containers offer the broadest chemical resistance, very low leachables, and a rated temperature range of −100°C to +120°C—the standard for chemical storage, waste collection, and bulk reagent holding. PP containers are autoclavable at 121°C, slightly more rigid than HDPE, and preferred when sterile processing or repeated autoclaving is required.

Globe Scientific HDPE multi-purpose containers are manufactured from virgin HDPE and rated from −100°C to +120°C. This range covers freezer storage at −20°C and −80°C, ambient laboratory conditions, and short-term hot liquid handling up to 80–90°C without deformation. For autoclave sterilization at 121°C, use polypropylene containers—HDPE may soften slightly at sustained autoclave temperatures above 100°C unless the specific product carries an explicit autoclave rating.

Multi-purpose laboratory containers use two primary lid types: snap lids (snap-on covers that seat with audible click, providing a dust-proof seal suitable for ambient storage and short-term chemical holding) and screw caps (threaded caps that provide a tighter, leak-resistant seal for liquid storage, transport, and refrigerator/freezer use). Globe Scientific HDPE economy containers use separate snap lids for rapid access; PP Tite-Rite and specimen containers use screw caps with integral seal rings for leak-proof closure.

Polypropylene (PP) containers are chemically compatible with 10% neutral buffered formalin and other aldehyde-based fixatives at room temperature. Globe Scientific pre-filled Tite-Rite PP containers are available filled with 30 mL or 45 mL of 10% NBF for direct tissue fixation use, packaged with attached hazard labels in CariPaks for safe transport. HDPE containers are also compatible with formalin for general storage purposes. Polystyrene containers must not be used with formalin—formaldehyde attacks PS.

HDPE multi-purpose containers are not rated for liquid nitrogen temperatures (−196°C) and should not be used in LN2 dewars or vapor-phase cryogenic refrigerators. At −196°C, HDPE becomes brittle and will crack under thermal shock. For cryogenic storage at liquid nitrogen temperatures, use polypropylene or polycarbonate cryogenic vials specifically rated for LN2 vapor-phase (−150 to −190°C) or liquid-phase (−196°C) use. HDPE containers rated to −100°C are suitable for −80°C ULT freezer storage only.

MBP stocks Globe Scientific multi-purpose containers including HDPE economy containers (240 mL–2500 mL, separate snap lid) and PP Tite-Rite wide-mouth graduated containers (40 mL, 90 mL) with screw caps. Globe Scientific is ISO 9001:2015 certified. MBP serves research, clinical, and academic labs across the US, Canada, and internationally, and is a registered vendor for Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Vanderbilt University, and MD Anderson Cancer Center.

The most commonly stocked multi-purpose container sizes in research and clinical labs are 90 mL (3 oz) for specimen collection and primary aliquoting, 240 mL (8 oz) for reagent and buffer sub-aliquots, and 500 mL–1 L for bulk reagent storage and waste collection. Globe Scientific's HDPE economy line spans 240 mL through 2580 mL; the PP Tite-Rite line focuses on 40 mL and 90 mL for specimen handling. Larger-volume bulk liquid storage (5–20 L) falls into the jerrican or carboy category.

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