Every IBC Service, Under One Roof
From buying back your surplus totes to recycling end-of-life containers, cleaning and reconditioning reusable units, and transporting them anywhere in the country -- IBC Tanks Recycle handles every step of the intermediate bulk container lifecycle so you can focus on your core business.
Our Services
Click any service below to learn more about the process, pricing factors, and how to get started.
IBC Buyback Program
Turn surplus and empty IBC totes into revenue. We purchase used intermediate bulk containers of all sizes and grades, offering competitive per-unit pricing, free pickup for qualifying loads, and payment within 30 days. Whether you have 10 totes or 10,000, our buyback team will assess condition, provide a firm quote, and schedule collection at your convenience.
Learn More95% RecoveryIBC Recycling
Responsible end-of-life processing for IBC totes that can no longer be reconditioned. We dismantle each container into its component materials -- HDPE plastic, galvanized steel cage, and wood or composite pallet -- then channel every stream into certified recycling pathways. You receive a Certificate of Recycling for compliance and sustainability reporting.
Learn MoreLike-New QualityCleaning & Reconditioning
Our multi-stage cleaning process restores used IBC totes to reusable condition. Services range from triple-rinse water wash to full chemical decontamination, followed by valve and gasket replacement, cage straightening, and hydrostatic pressure testing. Reconditioned totes meet DOT and FDA standards for safe transport and storage.
Learn MoreNationwideTransport & Logistics
Door-to-door IBC pickup and delivery across the continental United States. We operate a dedicated fleet of flatbed and curtain-side trucks optimized for IBC stacking. Full truckload (FTL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) options available, with online scheduling, shipment tracking, and freight insurance included on every load.
Learn MoreFully TailoredCustom Solutions
Beyond standard services, we build tailored IBC programs for businesses with specialized needs. Custom fittings and valve configurations, branded labels, color-coded cage systems, scheduled recurring pickups, consignment inventory, and creative repurposing -- from rain harvesting conversions to aquaponics setups and garden planters.
Learn MoreHow Working With Us Looks
Regardless of which service you need, the engagement follows the same straightforward pattern.
Reach Out
Submit a quote request or call us. Share the basics: how many totes, what they held, your location.
Get a Quote
We respond within 24 hours with transparent pricing -- no hidden fees, no obligation.
We Handle It
We schedule pickup, send our trucks, and execute the service -- buyback, recycling, cleaning, or transport.
Documentation
Receive payment, recycling certificates, reconditioning reports, or delivery confirmation -- whatever the job calls for.
A Single Partner for the Entire IBC Lifecycle
Most companies deal with fragmented supply chains for their IBC needs -- one vendor for purchasing, another for recycling, a separate hauler for transport. That complexity creates scheduling headaches, compliance gaps, and wasted money. We consolidate everything into one relationship.
Because we handle every lifecycle stage in-house, we can optimize the entire chain. Containers picked up for buyback that are still in good shape get cleaned and resold. Containers beyond reuse are recycled at our facility with full traceability. Your logistics are bundled for maximum efficiency.
Eco-First Philosophy
Every decision we make prioritizes environmental outcomes. We measure success by containers diverted from landfill, not just revenue.
Transparent Pricing
You see the full breakdown before you commit. Our quotes include transport, processing, and any applicable payouts with no surprises.
Compliance & Documentation
EPA guidelines, DOT regulations, FDA food-grade standards -- we know the rules and provide all the paperwork to keep your audits clean.
Dedicated Account Management
Every client gets a single point of contact who knows your operation, your schedule, and your preferences. No call-center runarounds.
Industries We Serve
Our clients span every sector that uses intermediate bulk containers for liquid and granular storage.
Food & Beverage
Chemical Manufacturing
Agriculture
Pharmaceuticals
Cosmetics & Personal Care
Oil & Lubricants
Water Treatment
Industrial Manufacturing
The Complete IBC Lifecycle: How We Manage Every Stage
An intermediate bulk container passes through multiple stages during its useful life. Most companies deal with each stage in isolation -- buying from one vendor, cleaning with another, and scrambling to find a recycler at end of life. We handle the entire chain, creating measurable cost savings and environmental benefits at every step.
Procurement & Supply
Whether you need new, reconditioned, or repurposed IBC totes, we source and deliver the right containers for your application. Every unit is inspected, tested, and documented before it ships. We maintain an inventory of over 2,000 IBCs at our Jeffersonville, IN facility, ready for same-week dispatch.
Deployment & Use
Once in service, your IBCs are your workhorses -- storing and transporting liquids, granulars, and semi-solids. During this phase, we support you with replacement parts, heating blankets, valve upgrades, and technical guidance on proper IBC handling and storage to maximize container lifespan.
Collection & Return
When your IBCs are empty, we pick them up -- on schedule or on demand. Our transport fleet collects containers from your dock, warehouse, or yard with zero hassle. For recurring generators, we establish standing pickup schedules so you never accumulate clutter.
Assessment & Triage
At our facility, every returned IBC is inspected and graded. Containers in good condition are routed to cleaning and reconditioning. Containers with moderate damage get repaired. End-of-life units are channeled to recycling. This triage step ensures nothing is wasted and every container follows the optimal path.
Cleaning & Reconditioning
Reusable IBCs undergo our multi-stage cleaning process -- triple rinse, pressure wash, or chemical decontamination depending on previous contents. Valves and gaskets are replaced, cages straightened, and every unit passes hydrostatic pressure testing before being relabeled and returned to inventory.
Recycling & Recovery
IBCs that have reached the end of their service life are dismantled into HDPE plastic, galvanized steel, and wood pallet components. Each material stream enters certified recycling pathways. We achieve a 95% material recovery rate by weight, and you receive a Certificate of Recycling for compliance documentation.
Service Pricing Overview
Transparent pricing is central to how we operate. Below is a general overview of pricing structures across our services. Every client receives a customized quote based on their specific needs, but these ranges will give you a solid starting point.
| Service | Price Range | Volume Discounts | Turnaround | Minimum Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IBC Buyback | $15 - $85 per tote (paid to you) | Premium rates for 50+ totes | Pickup within 3-5 days | 10 totes (standard) |
| IBC Recycling | $0 - $25 per tote | Free processing for 56+ totes | Certificate within 7 days | 10 totes |
| Triple Rinse Cleaning | $25 - $45 per tote | 10-15% off for 50+ totes | 1-3 business days | 1 tote |
| Pressure Wash Cleaning | $40 - $65 per tote | 10-15% off for 50+ totes | 2-4 business days | 1 tote |
| Chemical Decontamination | $60 - $120 per tote | Custom pricing for 25+ totes | 3-5 business days | 1 tote |
| Full Reconditioning | $55 - $95 per tote | 15-20% off for 100+ totes | 3-5 business days | 1 tote |
| FTL Transport | $1.50 - $3.50 per mile | Route-based discounts | 1-5 transit days | 48 totes (full load) |
| LTL Transport | $75 - $250 per tote | Tiered by distance & qty | 3-7 transit days | 1 tote |
| Custom Modifications | Varies by scope | Bulk project pricing | 5-15 business days | Varies |
* Prices are approximate and vary based on location, tote condition, previous contents, and market conditions. Contact us for a firm, customized quote.
Certifications & Regulatory Standards
We operate in full compliance with federal and state environmental, transport, and food-safety regulations. Our facility is inspected regularly, and our processes are documented to satisfy the strictest corporate and governmental audits.
EPA Compliance
Our facility operates under EPA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act guidelines for container management. Wastewater treatment meets Clean Water Act discharge standards. All hazardous residuals are handled through licensed waste management channels.
DOT Certified
Our reconditioning process meets Department of Transportation requirements for reuse of packaging for hazardous materials transport. Each reconditioned IBC is labeled with our facility code, reconditioning date, and applicable use restrictions.
FDA Standards
For food-grade IBC reconditioning, we comply with FDA regulations governing indirect food additives and food-contact surfaces. Food-grade totes are cleaned with FDA-approved solutions and tracked separately from industrial containers.
UN Performance
Reconditioned IBCs that pass our testing protocol are eligible for UN marking, certifying they meet international standards for drop test, stacking test, and hydraulic pressure test performance. UN marking is required for international shipping of hazardous goods.
DIY IBC Management vs. Professional Service
Some businesses attempt to handle IBC cleaning, repair, and disposal in-house. Here is an honest comparison of the two approaches.
| Factor | Professional (IBC Tanks Recycle) | DIY / In-House |
|---|---|---|
| Labor Cost | Included in service fee | $25-$50+ per tote in labor hours |
| Equipment Needed | None -- we bring everything | Pressure washer, chemicals, PPE, tools |
| Compliance Documentation | Full certificates provided | You create and maintain records |
| Liability Exposure | Our insurance covers the work | Worker injury and environmental risk |
| Wastewater Handling | Closed-loop system, permitted discharge | Must meet local discharge permits |
| Quality Consistency | 15-point inspection, hydrostatic test | Varies by operator skill |
| Turnaround Time | 1-5 business days | Depends on staff availability |
| End-of-Life Disposal | 95% recycled, certificate issued | Landfill or find a recycler yourself |
| Scalability | Handle 10 to 10,000 totes | Limited by space and staff |
The bottom line: professional IBC services cost less than most companies expect, and they eliminate compliance risk, labor burden, and environmental liability entirely. Get a free assessment to see the cost comparison for your specific operation.
Nationwide Service Coverage
Operating from our central hub in Jeffersonville, Indiana (Greater Louisville metro area), we serve all 48 contiguous United States. Our strategic location provides fast access to major population centers and industrial corridors.
Local Coverage
IN, KY, OH, TN
Same-day and next-day service available. Free pickup for any quantity. Our drivers know these roads like the back of their hand.
Midwest
IL, MI, WI, MO, MN, IA
1-2 day transit. Free pickup for loads of 20+ totes. Regular scheduled routes through major metro areas.
Southeast
GA, FL, NC, SC, AL, MS, VA
1-3 day transit. Weekly route trucks serving Atlanta, Charlotte, Jacksonville, and Nashville corridors.
Northeast
NY, PA, NJ, MA, CT, MD, DE
2-3 day transit for FTL. Regular runs to the I-95 corridor and major metro industrial zones.
Texas & South Central
TX, OK, AR, LA
2-3 day transit. Strong coverage in Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and Oklahoma City markets.
Plains & Mountain
CO, UT, NE, KS, NM, AZ
3-4 day transit. Service available for all quantities; free pickup for FTL loads on established routes.
Pacific Northwest
WA, OR, ID, MT
4-5 day transit. Coordinated logistics for West Coast coverage with competitive regional rates.
California
CA, NV
4-5 day transit. Dedicated runs to Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, and Central Valley agricultural zones.
Our Collective Environmental Impact
Every IBC we recondition or recycle contributes to measurable environmental outcomes. Here is what our combined services achieve annually.
Your Sustainability Report
Every client who uses our services receives an annual Environmental Impact Summary tailored to their account. This document quantifies the number of containers you diverted from landfill, the pounds of material recovered through your partnership with us, and the estimated carbon emissions avoided. Companies use these reports for ESG disclosures, corporate sustainability programs, ISO 14001 audits, and customer-facing environmental marketing.
Need a mid-year report for a board presentation or investor meeting? Just ask your account manager -- we generate custom reports on demand at no additional cost.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Services
Can I use multiple services at once?
Absolutely. Most of our clients combine services -- for example, buyback and recycling for mixed-condition inventory, or cleaning plus transport for a fleet of totes that need reconditioning at our facility and delivery back to your site. Bundling services often reduces overall cost because we optimize logistics across the entire job.
How quickly can you start servicing my account?
Most new clients are fully onboarded within 48 hours. Once you submit your initial inquiry, we respond with a quote within 24 hours. After acceptance, we schedule the first pickup or delivery within 1-5 business days depending on your location and service type.
Do you offer service level agreements (SLAs)?
Yes. For recurring clients, we offer formal SLAs that guarantee response times, pickup schedules, quality standards, and documentation delivery timelines. SLAs are customized to each client's needs and reviewed quarterly. Our standard SLA includes 24-hour quote turnaround, scheduled pickup within the agreed window, and certificate delivery within 7 days of processing.
What if I am not sure which service I need?
That is exactly why we assign every client a dedicated account manager. Tell us what you are trying to accomplish -- reduce disposal costs, stay compliant, source affordable containers, whatever it is -- and we will recommend the right combination of services. There is no cost for consultation.
Can you handle hazardous material containers?
Yes, with proper documentation. We accept IBCs that previously held hazardous materials as defined by EPA and DOT classifications. We require Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all hazmat contents, and our drivers carry hazmat endorsements. Hazmat IBCs are processed through our chemical decontamination protocol and tracked separately throughout our facility.
Do you work with government agencies and municipalities?
Yes. We serve federal, state, and local government agencies, including military installations, water treatment facilities, and public works departments. We accept purchase orders and comply with government procurement requirements. Our facility has been audited and approved by multiple government contractors.
Real-World Service Scenarios
Here are examples of how our clients use our services to solve real operational challenges. Each scenario illustrates a different combination of our capabilities.
Beverage Manufacturer -- Closed-Loop Program
A juice bottling plant in Georgia was spending $110 per new IBC tote and disposing of empties at $35 each for a total lifecycle cost of $145 per container.
We implemented a closed-loop program: supplying reconditioned food-grade totes at 50% of new cost, picking up empties on a bi-weekly schedule, cleaning and recertifying them, and returning them to service.
Annual container costs dropped by 62%. The plant diverted 1,200 IBCs from landfill in the first year and earned a sustainability award from their parent company.
Chemical Distributor -- Buyback + Recycling
A chemical distributor in Ohio had 400+ mixed-condition IBCs accumulating in their yard -- some reusable, some damaged -- and no efficient way to sort or dispose of them.
We sent a team for a full-yard assessment, sorted every tote on-site, purchased 240 reusable units through our buyback program, and recycled the remaining 160 through our end-of-life processing.
The client received a check for the buyback totes, recycling certificates for the rest, and cleared their entire yard in a single week. They now use our recurring pickup service to prevent accumulation.
Farm Operation -- Rain Harvesting Conversion
An organic farm in Kentucky needed affordable high-capacity rainwater collection for greenhouse irrigation but could not justify the cost of purpose-built rain tanks.
We supplied 12 food-grade reconditioned IBCs with custom rain harvesting modifications: mesh screens, gutter adapters, overflow daisy-chain ports, and garden-hose spigots. We delivered and positioned all units on-site.
Total cost was roughly one-third the price of equivalent commercial rain tanks. The system captures 3,300 gallons of rainwater and provides the farm with free irrigation water throughout the growing season.
Pharmaceutical Company -- Compliance Documentation
A pharmaceutical manufacturer needed airtight documentation for their FDA audit trail, including certificates for every IBC container used in raw material receiving, reconditioning records, and end-of-life recycling verification.
We built a custom documentation package: batch-specific reconditioning certificates referencing DOT 49 CFR 173.28 and FDA 21 CFR 177, chain-of-custody records for every container, and Certificates of Recycling for decommissioned units.
The company passed their FDA facility audit with zero container-related findings. They now use our services exclusively, citing the documentation quality as the primary reason for switching from their previous vendor.
Service Level Guarantees
We stand behind every service with measurable commitments. If we fall short, we make it right -- no excuses, no fine print.
24-Hour Quote Guarantee
Every inquiry receives a detailed, written quote within 24 business hours. If we miss this window, your first service is discounted 10%. We track our response times internally and currently average under 4 hours.
On-Time Pickup Promise
Scheduled pickups happen within the agreed window or we credit your next invoice. Our on-time rate exceeds 97%. For recurring scheduled pickups, we assign dedicated drivers who know your facility layout and dock procedures.
90-Day Reconditioning Warranty
Every reconditioned IBC is guaranteed against reconditioning defects for 90 days. If a tote leaks or fails due to our workmanship, we replace it at no charge or refund the reconditioning fee -- your choice, no questions asked.
Certificate Delivery
Certificates of Recycling and Reconditioning are delivered within 7 business days of processing completion. Annual Environmental Impact Summaries are delivered by January 31 for the previous calendar year. Custom reports are available on request within 48 hours.
Payment Reliability
Buyback payments are issued within the agreed terms -- Net 30, Net 15, or same-week for qualifying large-volume sellers. We have never missed a payment deadline. If payment is late for any reason, we add a 5% bonus to the payout.
Cargo Insurance
Every shipment we transport is covered by comprehensive cargo insurance at no additional cost. Our policy exceeds the full replacement value of a maximum IBC load. Claims are resolved within 5 business days.
Get Started Today
Tell us what you need and we will build a service plan tailored to your operation. No obligation, no pressure -- just honest guidance from IBC specialists.