IBC Tote Buy-Back Program
Turn your surplus, used, or end-of-life IBC totes into cash. Free pickup, fair pricing, and fast payment -- all while keeping containers out of landfills.
Get a Free Quote
How the Buy-Back Program Works
Selling your IBC totes is simple. Three steps, no hassle, and you get paid within days -- not weeks.
Request a Quote
Tell us the quantity, condition, and location of your IBC totes. Submit a form online, call, or email -- we respond within 2 hours during business days.
We Pick Up for Free
Our dedicated fleet arrives at your facility on a scheduled date. We handle all loading, manifesting, and transportation at zero cost to you.
Get Paid Fast
After inspection and grading at our facility, payment is issued within 3-5 business days via check or ACH direct deposit. No delays, no surprises.
Buy-Back Pricing by Grade & Condition
Our pricing is based on container grade, previous contents, and volume. These ranges represent typical per-unit payouts for standard 275-gallon composite IBC totes. Actual pricing is confirmed after inspection, but your quote will always be honored or exceeded.
| Grade | Condition Description | Food-Grade Prior Contents | Chemical Prior Contents | Unknown / Hazmat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade A | Excellent -- clean, no cracks, intact cage, functional valve, minimal UV exposure. Suitable for immediate recondition and resale. | $60 - $75 | $50 - $65 | $35 - $50 |
| Grade B | Good -- minor cosmetic wear, light staining, small dents in cage. May need valve or gasket replacement but structurally sound. | $40 - $55 | $30 - $45 | $20 - $35 |
| Grade C | Fair -- noticeable wear, moderate staining or discoloration, cage damage, or bottle warping. Requires reconditioning before reuse. | $20 - $35 | $15 - $30 | $10 - $20 |
| Recycling Only | Damaged beyond reconditioning -- severe cracks, heavy contamination, collapsed cage, or UV-degraded HDPE. Still valuable for materials recovery. | $8 - $15 | $5 - $12 | $3 - $8 |
330-gallon totes
Add 10-15% to above prices
Stainless steel IBCs
$100 - $300+ depending on condition
All-plastic IBCs
Pricing varies by resin weight
What Affects Your Buy-Back Price
Eight key factors determine the value of your IBC totes. Understanding these factors helps you maximize your payout and prepare your containers for the best possible quote.
1. Container Condition
Totes in good structural condition with intact cages and minimal HDPE damage command the highest buy-back rates. Even damaged units have value for recycling. Cracks, warping, and UV yellowing reduce the grade but do not eliminate value.
2. Previous Contents
Food-grade and water-based chemical totes typically qualify for reconditioning and receive premium pricing. Hazmat residues, petroleum products, and unknown prior contents may require additional decontamination, which reduces the payout.
3. Quantity
Higher volumes mean better per-unit pricing. Truckload quantities of 50+ totes receive our best rates because logistics costs are spread across more units. Even partial loads of 10-49 totes qualify for a volume bump.
4. Location
Proximity to our processing hubs in the Midwest, Southeast, and West Coast affects logistics costs. Facilities within 150 miles of a hub receive the best pricing; remote locations may see a small freight adjustment.
5. Tote Age & UV Exposure
Newer totes with minimal sun exposure have stronger HDPE that is more suitable for reconditioning and resale. Totes stored outdoors for extended periods may show UV degradation, which reduces the grade from reuse to recycling-only.
6. Valve & Fitting Condition
Totes with intact, functional valves are worth more than those with missing, broken, or non-standard valves. If the original butterfly valve is present and operational, the tote requires less refurbishment and earns a higher buy-back rate.
7. Label & Marking Removal
Totes with minimal labeling or easily removable labels receive slightly higher payouts because they require less prep work before reconditioning. If you can remove adhesive labels before pickup, it helps your price.
8. Market Conditions
Recycled HDPE resin prices and scrap steel rates fluctuate with commodity markets. When resin prices are strong, buy-back rates increase across all grades. We update our pricing weekly to reflect current market conditions.
Preparation Checklist
You do not have to do any of these things -- we accept totes in any condition. However, if you want to earn the highest possible buy-back price, these simple preparation steps can bump your totes into a higher grade and increase your per-unit payout.
Drain remaining product
Empty totes receive higher grades. If you can drain residual product (even if not perfectly clean), your totes will qualify for reconditioning rather than recycling-only pricing.
Rinse with water if possible
A quick water rinse removes bulk residue and can move a Grade C tote into Grade B territory. No chemicals or special equipment needed.
Remove adhesive labels
Peel off any labels, stickers, or adhesive tape. This saves our team prep time and translates directly into a better price for you.
Replace caps and close valves
Totes with caps on and valves closed arrive cleaner and safer. It also signals better care, which correlates with higher condition grades.
Store indoors or under cover
If you are stockpiling totes before pickup, keep them out of direct sunlight. UV exposure degrades HDPE over time and reduces the grade.
Stage for easy forklift access
Placing totes in an accessible area with forklift clearance speeds up loading and reduces the labor component of our cost, which we pass back to you.
Know your previous contents
Having SDS sheets or product names ready helps us grade your totes faster and more accurately. Food-grade and water-based products command premium pricing.
Quick Estimate
- Grade A (excellent condition)$50 - $75
- Grade B (good, minor cosmetic wear)$30 - $50
- Grade C (usable, needs reconditioning)$15 - $30
- Recycling-only (damaged beyond reuse)$5 - $15
Prices are per-unit estimates for standard 275-gallon composite IBCs. Actual pricing varies.
Container Condition
Totes in good structural condition with intact cages and minimal HDPE damage command the highest buy-back rates. Even damaged units have value for recycling.
Previous Contents
Food-grade and water-based chemical totes typically qualify for reconditioning and receive premium pricing. Hazmat residues may require additional processing.
Quantity
Higher volumes mean better per-unit pricing. Truckload quantities of 50+ totes receive our best rates, but we buy as few as one unit.
Location
Proximity to our processing hubs in the Midwest, Southeast, and West Coast affects logistics costs, which factors into your quote.
What We Accept
We buy virtually every type of IBC tote. Even if your containers are damaged, stained, or missing parts, they still have value for recycling. When in doubt, just ask -- we will tell you exactly what your totes are worth.
Pickup Scheduling: Step by Step
Our logistics team coordinates pickup at your facility, warehouse, or job site. You do not need special equipment, loading docks, or extra labor -- our crew handles everything from the moment the truck arrives.
Step 1: Submit Your Pickup Request
Use our online form, email, or phone to provide your location, quantity, and preferred date range. Include photos if available for faster quoting.
Step 2: Receive Your Quote & Confirmation
Within 2 hours during business days, you receive a per-unit price quote and a confirmed pickup date. We aim to schedule within 3-5 business days of your request.
Step 3: Pickup Day Preparation
Stage your totes in an accessible area if possible. Our truck arrives with a forklift; all you need to provide is access. Our crew handles all loading and securement.
Step 4: On-Site Count & Documentation
Our driver counts and photographs each tote, records serial numbers where applicable, and issues a signed pickup receipt on the spot.
Step 5: Transport to Processing Hub
Totes are transported to the nearest processing facility for inspection, grading, and sorting. You receive tracking updates throughout.
Step 6: Final Grading & Payment
Each tote is inspected and assigned a final grade. Payment is calculated based on final grades and issued within 3-5 business days of arrival at our facility.
Pickup Logistics at a Glance
- Flatbed and enclosed trailers for all load sizes
- Forklift-equipped trucks for on-site loading
- Flexible scheduling: weekdays, weekends, and after-hours
- Consolidated routes for multi-location businesses
- Real-time tracking and delivery confirmation
- No loading dock required -- we bring our own equipment
- Signed pickup receipt issued on-site
- Photo documentation of every tote at pickup
Multi-Location Pickups
Have totes spread across multiple facilities? We consolidate pickups across your locations into efficient routes, so you receive a single quote and a single payment for the entire lot. This is especially popular with distributors, chemical suppliers, and food manufacturers who generate tote inventory at several warehouses or plants.
Payment Terms & Methods
We believe in fast, transparent payment. You know exactly what you will earn before we pick up a single tote, and the money is in your account within days of final grading.
ACH Direct Deposit
3-5 business days
The fastest option. Funds are deposited directly into your business bank account within 3-5 business days of final grading. No check to wait for, no trips to the bank. This is the preferred method for recurring sellers.
Company Check
5-7 business days + mail
A physical check mailed to your business address. Allow 5-7 business days for grading and processing, plus standard mail delivery time. Checks are issued weekly on Fridays.
Service Credit
Immediate upon grading
Apply your buy-back earnings as a credit toward any other service we offer -- cleaning, modifications, transportation, or future tote purchases. Service credits receive a 5% bonus on top of the buy-back value.
Important Payment Details
- - Payment is based on the final inspection grade, not the initial quote estimate. However, quotes are conservative -- most sellers receive the quoted amount or more.
- - For first-time sellers, a W-9 form is required before payment can be issued. We will send you the form digitally during the quote process.
- - Payments over $600 annually are reported on a 1099-MISC form per IRS requirements.
- - Net-30 terms are available for businesses with established credit. Contact us to apply.
Minimum Quantities by Region
We have no hard minimum for our buy-back program -- even a single tote has value. However, per-unit pricing improves significantly when we can build an efficient route. Here are the recommended minimums for the best per-tote rates in each region.
Midwest (WI, IL, IN, MI, OH, MN, IA, MO)
No minimum
Our home territory. We pick up single units on existing routes at competitive rates. Full truckloads of 20+ totes receive premium pricing.
Southeast (GA, FL, SC, NC, TN, AL, MS, LA)
5+ totes recommended
Partner depots in Atlanta and Charlotte make 5+ tote pickups highly cost-effective. Single units are accepted but may take slightly longer to schedule.
Northeast (NY, NJ, PA, CT, MA, MD, VA, DE)
5+ totes recommended
High-density metro corridor with frequent routes. Pickups along the I-95 corridor are consolidated weekly for maximum efficiency.
Southwest (TX, OK, AR, NM, AZ)
10+ totes recommended
Dedicated Texas routes run weekly from our Midwest hub. Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio metro areas have the most frequent service.
West Coast (CA, OR, WA, NV, UT, CO)
10+ totes recommended
Partner network with staging areas in Los Angeles and Portland. Full truckload pickups receive the best West Coast rates.
Plains & Mountain (NE, KS, SD, ND, MT, WY, ID)
20+ totes recommended
On-demand scheduling with consolidated routing. Larger quantities help us build cost-effective routes to these areas.
Damaged Totes: What We Still Accept
Many sellers assume that damaged totes are worthless. They are not. Even a tote with a cracked bottle, collapsed cage, or heavy contamination contains 30+ kilograms of recyclable HDPE plastic and 12+ kilograms of recyclable steel. We pay for the material value of every container, regardless of condition.
Here are the types of damage we commonly accept, along with how they affect your buy-back price:
Cracked or split HDPE bottle
Recycling-only grade. Pays $5-$15 per tote depending on plastic weight and condition.
Collapsed or severely bent cage
Steel is still fully recyclable. Cage damage alone does not eliminate value; expect $8-$20 per tote.
Missing valve or fittings
Minor price reduction. Valve parts have minimal impact on total material value.
Heavy staining or discoloration
May downgrade from reuse to recycling. Stained totes typically grade as C or recycling-only.
UV-degraded or brittle HDPE
Recycling-only grade. The HDPE is still granulable but not suitable for reconditioning.
Fire damage or melting
Accepted on a case-by-case basis. Steel cage value remains; plastic value depends on severity.
Contaminated with hazardous residue
We accept hazmat-contaminated totes. Additional decontamination costs reduce the net payout.
Environmental Impact of Your Sale
Every tote you sell back keeps materials in the circular economy instead of a landfill. Here is what happens when your totes enter our buy-back program -- and the measurable environmental benefit each one generates.
25 kg
CO2 Prevented per Tote
18 kg
HDPE Recovered per Tote
12 kg
Steel Recycled per Tote
95%
Material Recovery Rate
Totes Reconditioned for Reuse
Grade A and B totes are cleaned, repaired, and resold for 3-5 additional use cycles. This displaces the manufacture of new containers, saving the raw materials, energy, and emissions associated with virgin plastic and steel production.
Materials Recycled into New Products
Totes graded for recycling are disassembled. HDPE is granulated into pellets for new containers and pipes. Steel is smelted for new cage frames. Wood is chipped into mulch and biomass fuel. Nothing reaches a landfill.
Sustainability Documentation
Every buy-back seller receives a sustainability impact statement showing the total CO2 prevented, materials diverted, and water saved as a result of their sale. Use these reports for your own ESG and CSR reporting.
Buy-Back Program FAQ
How quickly will I receive my quote after contacting you?
We respond to all buy-back inquiries within 2 hours during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 6 PM Central). If you submit a request after hours or on weekends, you will hear from us first thing the next business morning. Most quotes include photos-based grading for an accurate estimate before we even arrive on-site.
Can I sell just one or two totes, or do you require a minimum?
There is no minimum. We purchase as few as one tote. That said, per-unit pricing is naturally higher for larger quantities because logistics costs are spread across more units. Even a single tote is worth selling -- it keeps materials out of a landfill and puts money in your pocket.
What if my totes held hazardous materials?
We accept totes that previously contained hazardous materials, but additional decontamination costs may reduce the net payout. Please provide the SDS (Safety Data Sheet) for the previous contents when requesting a quote so we can factor in any special handling requirements. All hazmat totes are processed in compliance with EPA and DOT regulations.
Do I need to be present during the pickup?
Not necessarily. Many of our sellers simply designate a staging area and authorize our crew to load. We provide a signed pickup receipt with quantities and conditions documented. However, if you want to be present for the count, we are happy to schedule at a time that works for you.
What happens if the final grade is lower than the initial quote?
Our quotes are based on the information and photos you provide, and they tend to be conservative. In most cases, the final payout meets or exceeds the quote. If any totes grade lower than expected, we will contact you before processing to discuss your options -- including returning the totes at our expense if you prefer.
Can I use my buy-back earnings as credit toward cleaning or other services?
Yes. Our Service Credit payment option allows you to apply buy-back earnings toward any service -- cleaning, modifications, transportation, or future tote purchases. Service credits receive a 5% bonus on top of the standard buy-back value, making this the highest-value payout option.
Ready to Cash In Your Totes?
Get a free, no-obligation quote in minutes. Tell us what you have and we will tell you what it is worth -- plus schedule a free pickup at your convenience.