Sell Your IBC Totes
Turn surplus IBC inventory into cash. We buy used totes in any condition with free pickup across Ohio for orders of 10 or more units.
How Selling Works
Getting paid for your used IBC totes is fast and hassle-free. Most sellers go from first contact to cash in hand within five business days. Here is every step of the process explained in detail.
Describe Your Totes
Fill out our form or call us with basic information: the number of totes, approximate condition, what was previously stored in them, and your location. Photos are helpful but not required. If you are unsure about condition, describe what you see and we will assess it.
Receive Your Quote
We provide a no-obligation quote within 24 hours. Our pricing is based on current market rates, tote condition, quantity, and pickup distance. No haggling, no hidden deductions. The quote you receive is the amount you will be paid, guaranteed.
On-Site Inspection (If Needed)
For large lots of 50 or more totes, or when condition is uncertain, we send an assessor to your location at no charge. They physically inspect the totes, verify conditions, and may adjust the quote based on actual condition. This step ensures accuracy and prevents surprises for both parties.
Schedule Free Pickup
Accept the quote and we schedule pickup at your convenience. For 10 or more totes, pickup is completely free anywhere in Ohio. Smaller quantities may have a nominal transport fee, or you can drop them off at our Columbus facility for the full quoted amount.
Professional Loading
Our experienced two-person crew arrives at your location with all necessary equipment: forklift, straps, and dollies. They load the totes from your warehouse, yard, or dock without requiring any labor or equipment from your team. We handle all the heavy lifting.
Condition Verification
As totes are loaded, our crew performs a quick visual inspection to verify the condition matches what was described. In the rare event that some totes are in significantly worse condition than quoted, we adjust the per-unit price for those specific units and explain the reason. No surprise deductions on arrival at our facility.
Get Paid
You receive payment within 48 hours of pickup. Choose your preferred payment method: company check mailed to your address, direct deposit via ACH transfer to your bank account, or same-day wire transfer for amounts exceeding $5,000. You receive an itemized receipt showing the quantity, condition grade, and per-unit price for each tote.
Environmental Documentation
Within one week of pickup, you receive an Environmental Impact Certificate documenting the number of totes diverted from landfill, estimated weight of material recovered, and carbon emissions avoided. This certificate is suitable for inclusion in corporate sustainability reports, ESG filings, and environmental compliance documentation.
Our Detailed Valuation Process
We do not guess at tote values. Our valuation process is systematic, transparent, and based on objective criteria. Here is exactly how we determine what your totes are worth.
Visual Assessment
We evaluate the overall appearance of each tote. Clarity of the HDPE bottle, presence of staining or discoloration, condition of labels, and general cleanliness all factor into the visual assessment. Totes that look better command higher prices because they require less processing before resale.
Structural Evaluation
We check the physical integrity of every component. The bottle is examined for cracks, warping, and wall thickness. The cage is inspected for bent bars, broken welds, and corrosion depth. The pallet is tested for load-bearing capacity. The valve is operated to check for leaks and smooth function.
Contents History Review
We examine labels, Safety Data Sheets, and any documentation you provide about what was stored in each tote. Previous contents directly affect the reconditioning effort required and the range of future applications. Food-grade contents result in higher valuations than industrial chemicals or hazardous materials.
Market Rate Analysis
We compare the assessed condition against current market demand. Used IBC tote prices fluctuate with supply, demand, raw material costs, and seasonal factors. We update our buyback rates weekly to ensure our quotes reflect fair market value. This means sellers always receive a competitive price.
Volume Factor
Larger lots receive better per-unit rates because they are more efficient for us to process. Picking up 100 totes from one location costs us roughly the same in transport as picking up 20. We pass those logistics savings directly to the seller in the form of higher per-unit payouts.
Final Valuation
All factors are combined into a final per-unit price for each condition tier in your lot. If your totes span multiple conditions, we price each tier separately so you receive fair value for every unit. The total payout is calculated and presented as a single, clear quote.
Pricing Tiers by Condition
These ranges are for standard 275-gallon HDPE totes. Actual payouts depend on inspection. 330-gallon totes pay 15-20% more. Stainless steel IBCs command premium rates.
Clear bottle, straight cage, good pallet, working valve. Minimal cleaning needed. Can be resold as Grade A.
Minor cosmetic wear, light staining, possible surface cage rust. Fully functional. Resold as Grade B after reconditioning.
Significant staining, label residue, moderate cage rust. Structurally sound but needs substantial reconditioning. Resold as Grade C.
Cracked bottles, broken welds, compromised pallets. Not suitable for reconditioning. Fully recycled for material recovery.
Totes that held hazardous materials. Pricing depends on the specific chemical, cleanup difficulty, and disposal requirements. Some hazmat totes have negative value if disposal costs exceed material recovery.
Bonus Payout Multipliers
Certain characteristics earn a premium above the base rate.
What We Accept and What We Do Not
We accept totes in virtually any condition, but there are a few specific categories we cannot take. Here is a clear breakdown so you know exactly what to expect.
What We Accept
Clean, lightly used totes
Single or double use, clear bottles, working valves. These go straight to our reconditioning line and earn the highest payouts.
Moderately used totes
Cosmetic wear, staining, label residue, minor cage rust. Fully functional. These are our bread and butter and we always have demand for them.
Heavily used / end-of-life totes
Cracked bottles, bent cages, broken pallets, heavy corrosion. These go to our recycling program. We pay based on material recovery value.
Totes with food-grade history
Previously held food products, beverages, cooking oils, syrups, flavors, or food-safe chemicals. These command premium buyback prices.
Agricultural chemical totes
Fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, fungicides. Accepted with product labels or SDS. Proper cleaning protocols are applied before any reuse.
Industrial chemical totes
Solvents, acids, bases, cleaning chemicals, water treatment chemicals. Accepted with SDS documentation. Cleaning protocol matched to specific chemical.
Mixed-condition lots
You do not need to sort your totes by condition. We assess and price each tier separately. Send us everything and we handle the sorting.
Incomplete totes
Missing valves, caps, or labels are fine. Missing pallets or cages are accepted at adjusted pricing. Even bottle-only or cage-only units have value.
What We Cannot Accept
Radioactive material containers
Totes that held radioactive substances require specialized disposal beyond our licensing. We can refer you to licensed radioactive waste handlers in Ohio.
Biohazard / infectious waste containers
Totes that held medical waste, biological specimens, or infectious materials must be handled by licensed biohazard waste companies. We cannot accept these for safety reasons.
Explosive or pyrophoric residues
Totes that held explosive compounds or materials that ignite on contact with air. These require specialized disposal facilities and cannot be safely processed at our facility.
Unknown contents with no documentation
If you have no idea what was stored in the totes and there are no labels, SDS sheets, or other documentation, we may decline pickup until contents can be identified through testing. We can arrange testing for a fee.
Non-standard IBC containers
We focus on standard 275-gallon and 330-gallon poly IBC totes with steel cages. Non-standard sizes, collapsible IBCs, or fabric IBCs may not be accepted. Contact us to discuss specific container types.
Not sure?
If you are unsure whether your totes fall into an accepted category, call us or send photos. We can usually make a determination within minutes. In ambiguous cases, we arrange an on-site assessment at no charge.
Free Pickup Logistics
We operate a fleet of flatbed trucks and semi-trailers that run pickup routes across Ohio every week. Here is exactly how our free pickup program works.
Qualification
Free pickup applies to lots of 10 or more totes at a single location anywhere in Ohio. There is no upper limit. Whether you have 10 totes or 1,000, pickup is free. For quantities under 10, we charge a nominal pickup fee of $50-$150 depending on distance, or you can deliver to our Columbus facility at no cost.
Scheduling
Once you accept our quote, we schedule pickup within 3-7 business days, or sooner if you prefer and a truck is available. You choose the day and provide a 4-hour window (morning or afternoon). Our dispatcher confirms 24 hours in advance and the driver calls 30 minutes before arrival.
Equipment We Bring
Our pickup crews arrive with everything needed: propane-powered forklift or pallet jack (depending on your facility), ratchet straps, corner protectors, and PPE. If your facility does not have a loading dock, we use trucks with hydraulic lift gates. We do not need you to provide any equipment or labor.
Loading Process
Our two-person crew loads all totes from wherever they are staged at your facility. Totes are moved by forklift, loaded onto the truck, and secured with straps and protectors. Empty totes are nested when possible to maximize truck capacity. The entire loading process for a typical lot of 20-50 totes takes 45-90 minutes.
Site Requirements
We need enough clearance for our truck to access your loading area. A standard dock door or flat-grade access point works best. If access is limited (narrow driveways, low overhead clearance, no dock), let us know when scheduling so we can send the right vehicle. We have handled pickups from tight urban loading zones to sprawling rural farms.
Tote Preparation (Optional)
You do not need to prepare your totes in any special way. We accept them as-is, wherever they are sitting. However, if you want to speed up the loading process, staging totes in a single accessible area on pallets is helpful. Do not drain or clean the totes. We handle residual contents as part of our standard process.
Paperwork on Site
Our driver presents a pickup receipt listing the total number of totes collected, their assessed condition categories, and the agreed per-unit price for each category. You sign the receipt, receive your copy, and we process payment within 48 hours. The entire paperwork process takes less than 5 minutes.
After Pickup
Within one week, you receive your Environmental Impact Certificate via email. This document is suitable for inclusion in sustainability reports, environmental audits, and corporate responsibility filings. If you need additional documentation for regulatory compliance, let us know and we can provide customized reports.
10+
Free Pickup Threshold
No transport fee anywhere in Ohio
48hr
Payment Turnaround
Check, ACH, or wire after pickup
0
Labor Required From You
Our crew handles everything
3-7 days
Scheduling Window
From quote acceptance to pickup day
Payment Timeline
We pay fast because we know cash flow matters. Here is the exact timeline from pickup to payment in your account.
Driver signs pickup receipt confirming quantity, condition, and agreed price.
Final count verified. Any condition discrepancies are resolved (rare).
ACH or check issued. Wire transfers processed same-day for amounts over $5,000.
Most banks process ACH within 1-2 business days.
Mailed via USPS first class. Allow 2-3 days for delivery within Ohio.
Sent via email. Documents totes diverted, material recovered, CO2 avoided.
Tax Considerations
Selling used IBC totes is a business transaction that may have tax implications. While we are not tax advisors and recommend consulting your accountant, here is general information that our customers commonly find useful.
Taxable Income
Proceeds from selling used business equipment like IBC totes are generally considered taxable income. The amount may be offset by the original cost basis (what you paid for the totes) and any depreciation already claimed.
1099 Reporting
For sellers receiving $600 or more in total payments during a calendar year, we issue a 1099-NEC form by January 31 of the following year. This form reports the total amount paid to you and is also reported to the IRS.
Sales Tax Exemption
The sale of used industrial containers from a business to a recycler or reseller is generally exempt from Ohio sales tax. We do not collect sales tax on tote purchases from sellers. Consult your tax professional for your specific situation.
Depreciation Recapture
If you previously depreciated the totes as business assets, selling them may trigger depreciation recapture. Your accountant can advise on how to handle this on your tax return based on your specific depreciation schedule.
Environmental Tax Credits
Some Ohio businesses may qualify for environmental tax credits or deductions related to recycling and waste diversion. Ask your tax professional about Ohio DTAC programs and federal environmental credits that may apply to your IBC recycling activities.
Bulk Sell Programs & Corporate Partnerships
For businesses that generate a steady flow of used totes, we offer structured programs that maximize your payout, simplify logistics, and provide ongoing environmental documentation.
One-Time Bulk Sell
Have a large batch of totes from a warehouse cleanout, facility closure, or inventory reduction? We handle everything. Our team coordinates multi-truck pickups, staged over multiple days if needed, to clear your entire lot. Volume premiums of 10-20% apply for lots of 100 or more uniform totes. We have handled single-site pickups of over 500 totes.
Get Bulk QuoteRecurring Pickup Program
For operations that generate a predictable flow of used totes, set up a recurring pickup schedule. We collect totes weekly, biweekly, or monthly on a fixed schedule. You receive locked-in pricing that is reviewed quarterly, guaranteed pickup windows, and a monthly consolidated payment instead of per-pickup invoicing. This program eliminates the administrative burden of managing individual sell transactions.
Set Up RecurringCorporate Recycling Partnership
Our enterprise partnership program is designed for large manufacturers, distributors, and logistics companies. Benefits include a dedicated account manager, custom reporting dashboards, on-site collection infrastructure (cages or marked staging areas), quarterly business reviews, sustainability consulting, and co-branded environmental impact marketing materials. Partners also receive priority access to our buy-back inventory for replacement totes at preferred rates.
Explore PartnershipWhat Determines Your Payout
We price transparently based on objective criteria. Here are the factors that determine how much we pay for your totes and why each one matters.
Physical Condition
The overall state of the bottle, cage, valve, and pallet. Totes in better condition are worth more because they require less reconditioning before resale. We assess each component independently and grade the tote based on the weakest component.
Previous Contents
Totes that held food-grade materials or water command higher prices than those that stored chemicals, because the cleaning and certification process is simpler. Hazardous material containers may have reduced value due to specialized handling requirements.
Quantity
Larger quantities earn better per-unit rates. Picking up 50 totes from one location is far more efficient than picking up 5 from ten different sites. Volume premiums kick in at 25 units and increase at 50, 100, and 250 unit thresholds.
Tote Size & Type
Standard 275-gallon and 330-gallon poly totes are always in demand. 330-gallon totes pay more per unit. Stainless steel IBCs command premium buyback prices due to their higher resale value and material worth.
Location
Pickup distance from our Columbus hub affects pricing for smaller quantities. For 10+ units, pickup is free statewide, so location has no impact on your per-unit payout. For under 10 units, proximity to Columbus yields better net returns.
Market Conditions
Like any commodity, used IBC tote prices fluctuate with supply and demand. We update our buyback rates weekly to reflect current market conditions. Spring and summer typically see higher demand and correspondingly better seller payouts.
Environmental Certificates Provided
Every seller receives an Environmental Impact Certificate at no additional cost. This is not a generic document. It is a detailed, data-driven report specific to your transaction that documents measurable environmental outcomes.
Our certificates include the exact number of totes diverted from landfill, the weight of HDPE plastic recovered (in pounds), the weight of steel recycled, the weight of wood reused or converted to biomass, estimated CO2 emissions avoided (in pounds), and estimated water savings compared to manufacturing equivalent new containers.
These certificates are designed to meet the documentation requirements of major ESG reporting frameworks including GRI, CDP, and SASB. Many of our sellers include our certificates directly in their annual sustainability reports and investor presentations.
For corporate partners with ongoing sell programs, we provide quarterly and annual cumulative impact reports that aggregate all transactions. These reports include year-over-year trend analysis, benchmark comparisons, and projections for future environmental impact based on current volumes.
What Your Certificate Includes
30 lbs
Plastic diverted per tote
50K+
Totes bought annually
1.5M lbs
Material recovered yearly
Selling Is an Act of Environmental Responsibility
When you sell your used IBC totes to us instead of sending them to a dumpster, you are making a measurable environmental impact. Every tote we recondition and resell prevents approximately 30 pounds of HDPE plastic from entering the waste stream. Every tote we recycle recovers steel, plastic, and wood that would otherwise decompose in a landfill over hundreds of years.
We provide sellers with an environmental impact certificate documenting the number of totes diverted from landfill, the weight of material recovered, and the estimated carbon emissions avoided. Many of our sellers use these certificates in their corporate sustainability reporting and ESG filings.