IBC Buyback Program: Sell Your Used Totes
Stop paying to dispose of empty IBC totes. Our buyback program turns your surplus intermediate bulk containers into revenue -- with free pickup, fast quotes, and payment you can count on. We purchase food-grade, industrial, chemical, and pharmaceutical-grade totes in any quantity.
How the Buyback Process Works
From first contact to payment in your account, the process is designed to be as simple as possible. Here is the full picture.
Submit Your Inventory Details
Use the form below or call us directly. Share approximate quantities, the previous contents of each tote (we need to know what was stored for safety and grading purposes), IBC sizes (275, 330, or 550 gallon), and your facility location. Photos are helpful but not required.
Receive a Firm Quote Within 24 Hours
Our buyback team reviews your submission and prepares a per-unit price based on tote condition, previous contents, current market demand, and your location. Quotes are valid for 14 days and carry no obligation. For large volumes (100+ totes), we offer premium bulk pricing.
Schedule Free Pickup
Once you accept the quote, we coordinate a pickup window that fits your schedule. Our drivers arrive with the right truck for the job -- flatbed for palletized stacking, curtain-side for weather protection. We load; you watch. Minimum pickup quantity is typically 10 totes, but we can accommodate smaller lots in certain regions.
On-Site Inspection & Count
At pickup, our driver does a visual inspection and count verification. If any totes are in worse condition than described, we adjust the count transparently on the spot -- no surprises after the fact. You sign a pickup receipt confirming the final count and agreed price per unit.
Payment Within 30 Days
After pickup, payment is processed by check or ACH direct deposit -- your choice. Standard terms are Net 30, but we offer Net 15 for recurring sellers and can arrange same-week payment for large volumes. You receive a remittance statement itemizing every tote purchased.
What We Accept
We buy IBC totes across the full spectrum of sizes, materials, and previous-use categories. Here is a detailed breakdown.
All Standard Sizes
- 275-gallon IBC totes (most common)
- 330-gallon IBC totes
- 550-gallon IBC totes
- Non-standard / custom sizes (case-by-case)
Grades We Purchase
- Food-grade (held juice, syrup, oil, vinegar, etc.)
- Non-food industrial (soaps, detergents, lubricants)
- Chemical-grade (solvents, acids -- properly labeled)
- Pharmaceutical-grade (USP/NF-certified containers)
- Single-trip / never-used surplus
Condition Levels
- Grade A: Clean, no damage, original valve intact
- Grade B: Minor cosmetic wear, fully functional
- Grade C: Moderate wear, repairable cage/valve damage
- Grade D: End-of-life -- accepted for recycling only
- Damaged pallets accepted (reduced pricing)
What Determines Your Payout
IBC buyback pricing varies based on multiple factors. Understanding these helps you maximize the value of your surplus totes.
| Factor | Impact on Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Previous Contents | High | Food-grade totes (juice, cooking oil, syrups) command the highest prices because they can be resold for food-contact use. Chemical totes require more cleaning and are priced lower. |
| Physical Condition | High | Grade A totes with intact valves, clean bottles, and straight cages are worth significantly more than damaged units destined for recycling only. |
| Volume | Medium | Larger quantities (50+ totes) unlock bulk pricing. We can justify free long-haul pickup for full truckloads of 56+ totes. |
| Location | Medium | Proximity to our Jeffersonville, IN facility or regional hubs affects transport cost, which influences the per-unit offer. |
| Market Demand | Variable | Seasonal demand for reconditioned totes affects pricing. Spring and summer typically see higher demand from agricultural buyers. |
| Age & Manufacturer | Low-Medium | Newer totes from major manufacturers (Schutz, Mauser, Greif) with legible date codes retain more value than older or off-brand units. |
Payment Terms & Options
We offer flexible payment structures to match your accounting preferences.
Standard: Net 30
Payment issued within 30 days of pickup. Available for all sellers. Receive a remittance statement with full tote-by-tote breakdown.
Preferred: Net 15
Accelerated payment for recurring sellers with an established relationship. Sell to us three or more times and you automatically qualify.
Expedited: Same Week
For large-volume sellers (200+ totes per pickup), we offer same-week ACH payment. Contact us to arrange terms.
Common Buyback Questions
Is there a minimum number of totes for pickup?
Our standard minimum is 10 totes for free pickup in most areas. If you have fewer than 10, we can still purchase them, but a small pickup fee may apply, or you can drop them off at our Jeffersonville, IN facility. For locations within 50 miles of our facility, we often waive the minimum entirely.
Do the totes need to be clean before pickup?
No. We accept dirty, residue-laden totes as long as you disclose what was previously stored. Our pricing accounts for cleaning costs. That said, totes that have been rinsed or are already clean will receive a higher per-unit offer because they require less processing on our end.
What if some of my totes are damaged beyond repair?
We still want them. Damaged totes that cannot be reconditioned are processed through our recycling program. The buyback price for recycling-only totes is lower, but you still get paid -- and you avoid landfill disposal costs. We handle the full breakdown of HDPE, steel, and pallet materials.
Can you set up a recurring buyback schedule?
Absolutely. Many of our clients generate empty IBCs on a regular cadence. We set up standing schedules -- weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly -- so a truck shows up automatically without you needing to call each time. Recurring sellers also qualify for our Net 15 payment terms.
How do I know I am getting a fair price?
We publish nothing opaque. Every quote itemizes the per-unit price by grade, the transport credit or charge, and the total payout. We encourage you to compare with other buyers. Our pricing consistently ranks among the highest in the industry because we recondition and resell rather than just scrap.
Have a question not listed here? Check our full FAQ or contact us directly.
Buyback Pricing Tiers
While exact pricing depends on the factors above, these tiers give you a realistic expectation of what your IBCs are worth. Prices reflect per-unit payout to you, the seller.
| Tote Category | Grade A | Grade B | Grade C | Grade D (Recycle Only) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food-Grade (juice, syrup, oil) | $55 - $85 | $35 - $55 | $20 - $35 | $5 - $15 |
| Non-Food Industrial (soap, detergent) | $40 - $65 | $25 - $40 | $15 - $25 | $5 - $10 |
| Chemical-Grade (solvents, acids) | $25 - $45 | $15 - $30 | $10 - $20 | $0 - $10 |
| Pharmaceutical-Grade (USP/NF) | $60 - $85 | $40 - $60 | $25 - $40 | $5 - $15 |
| Single-Trip / Never Used | $65 - $85 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
* Prices are approximate and reflect 275-gallon totes. 330-gallon and 550-gallon totes command higher per-unit pricing. Volume bonuses apply for loads of 50+ totes. Request a quote for exact pricing.
Buyback Pickup Coverage Areas
We pick up IBC totes across all 48 contiguous states. Pickup costs (if any) are factored into your per-unit price -- so your quote is always a net payout with no surprise deductions.
| Region | Free Pickup Minimum | Typical Pickup Timeline | Premium Pricing Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| IN, KY, OH, TN (Local) | Any quantity | 1-2 business days | Yes -- all quantities |
| Midwest (IL, MI, WI, MO) | 20+ totes | 2-4 business days | Yes -- 50+ totes |
| Southeast (GA, FL, NC, SC, AL) | Full truckload (48+) | 3-5 business days | Yes -- FTL loads |
| Northeast (NY, PA, NJ, MA) | Full truckload (48+) | 3-5 business days | Yes -- FTL loads |
| Texas & South Central | Full truckload (48+) | 4-6 business days | Case by case |
| Mountain & Pacific West | Full truckload (48+) | 5-7 business days | Case by case |
For locations outside these regions or with fewer than the stated minimums, contact us -- we can often arrange pickup through our partner carrier network or coordinate a drop-off at our Jeffersonville, IN facility.
The True Cost of Not Selling Your IBCs
Many companies pay to dispose of empty IBCs, not realizing those same containers have cash value. Here is what disposal actually costs versus what our buyback program pays.
Disposal Route: What You Lose
- Waste hauler fee: $25 - $50 per tote
- Storage space consumed while waiting for pickup
- Employee time coordinating disposal logistics
- Potential environmental liability if improperly handled
- No compliance documentation for sustainability reporting
- Zero financial return on a valuable asset
Buyback Route: What You Gain
- Cash payment: $15 - $85 per tote depending on grade
- Free pickup for qualifying loads -- no hauler fee
- Zero storage hassle with scheduled recurring pickups
- Full compliance documentation for your records
- Environmental sustainability credit for your reporting
- Positive revenue from an asset you were going to discard
The swing per tote: $40 to $135
For a company disposing of 100 totes per year, switching from disposal to buyback can mean a net positive impact of $4,000 to $13,500 annually -- turning a cost center into a revenue line.
Environmental Impact of Selling Your IBCs
When you sell your used IBCs to us instead of discarding them, you directly contribute to these environmental outcomes.
Containers Diverted from Landfill
Each IBC you sell to us is either reconditioned for reuse or dismantled for recycling. Either way, it stays out of the landfill. A single 275-gallon IBC occupies 48 cubic feet of landfill space -- that is space we save every time you choose buyback over disposal.
Carbon Footprint Reduction
Reconditioning a used IBC tote produces approximately 85% less carbon emissions than manufacturing a new one from virgin materials. By selling your used totes for reconditioning rather than disposal, you help avoid the extraction, refining, and manufacturing emissions tied to new container production.
Resource Conservation
Every reconditioned IBC displaces demand for a new container, conserving the petroleum needed to make new HDPE, the iron ore mined for steel cage frames, and the timber harvested for wood pallets. Your buyback participation directly reduces extraction of finite natural resources.
Buyback Success Scenarios
See how different types of businesses use our buyback program to turn surplus IBCs into revenue.
Scenario: Regional Food Distributor
A food distribution company in Cincinnati receives 40-60 IBCs of cooking oil and syrups monthly. After dispensing, the empty totes accumulated in their parking lot.
We set up a bi-weekly scheduled buyback pickup. A dedicated driver arrives every other Tuesday, loads the empties, and leaves a count receipt. The client does zero admin work.
The client earns $2,400 - $4,200 per month from totes they previously paid to dispose of. Parking lot clutter eliminated. Net 15 payment terms provide fast cash flow.
Scenario: Industrial Cleaning Product Manufacturer
A detergent manufacturer in Indiana had 200 IBCs in mixed condition after a warehouse reorganization -- some clean, some with dried residue, some with damaged cages.
We performed an on-site assessment, graded each tote (120 Grade A/B, 50 Grade C, 30 Grade D), and provided a single combined quote covering buyback for reusable totes and recycling-only pricing for the rest.
One pickup, one payment, one Certificate of Recycling for the end-of-life units. Total payout: $7,350. The manufacturer cleared their entire yard in a single day.
Scenario: Agricultural Co-op
A farming co-op across three counties in Tennessee uses IBCs for liquid fertilizer. At season end, they had 300+ empty totes scattered across 8 member farm locations.
We coordinated a multi-stop pickup route, collecting totes from all 8 locations over two days. Each farm received an individual count receipt. The co-op received a single consolidated payment.
Total buyback payout: $12,600. Three separate pickup routes optimized to minimize cost. The co-op now schedules an annual post-season buyback pickup as a standing arrangement.
Volume Handling Capacity
Whether you have 10 totes or 10,000, our buyback program scales to meet your needs. Here is our capacity breakdown.
Standard pickup with box truck or partial flatbed. Ideal for one-time cleanouts and small facilities. Quote and pickup typically within 5 business days.
Full truckload pickups with premium bulk pricing. Multi-truck coordination for same-day removal. Dedicated logistics coordinator assigned to your job.
Multi-day pickup operation with on-site grading team. Same-week ACH payment. Dedicated account manager and custom pricing agreement for ongoing relationship.
Full-scale yard clearing or ongoing enterprise buyback program. Custom contract terms, on-site personnel if needed, and executive-level account management. We have cleared yards of 5,000+ totes in a single engagement.
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Get Your Buyback Quote
Tell us about your IBC inventory. We will respond with a firm per-unit price within 24 hours.