IBC Tote
Buy Back Program
Turn your surplus, used, or end-of-life IBC totes into cash. We purchase totes in any condition with transparent, grade-based pricing and hassle-free logistics. No minimum quantities.
Get a Buy Back Quote
Tell us what you have and we'll make you an offer within 24 hours.
Request a Quote
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Three Simple Steps
Selling your IBC totes to us is fast, easy, and transparent. No hidden fees, no surprise deductions, no hassle.
Request a Quote
Contact us with the number of totes you want to sell, their approximate condition, what they previously contained, and your location. We provide a per-unit quote within a few hours. Photos are helpful but not required.
Email or the form on this page. Your choice.Schedule Pickup
Once you accept the quote, we schedule a pickup date that works for your operation. Our driver arrives on time, inspects the totes, and loads them onto our truck. You do not need to provide labor or equipment.
Free pickup on orders of 25+ totes within Indiana.Get Paid
After final grading at our facility, we issue payment based on the confirmed grades. Payment is typically processed within 5-7 business days. We accept check, ACH direct deposit, or wire transfer.
Transparent grading. No surprise deductions.We Buy Every Grade
From nearly-new Grade A totes to heavily worn Grade D containers, we purchase IBC totes in any condition. Here is how we grade and what drives the pricing for each level. Need a deeper explanation? See our full grading system guide.
Minimal cosmetic wear. Clean interior with no stains or residue. Cage is straight and undamaged. Original valve functions correctly. Pallet is structurally sound with no broken boards. Previously held non-hazardous, non-staining liquids.
Moderate cosmetic wear including minor scuffs, light staining, or slight discoloration on the bottle. Cage may have minor dents but is structurally sound. Valve may need replacement. Pallet is functional. Previously held non-hazardous materials.
Significant cosmetic wear, noticeable staining, or discoloration. Cage may have dents or bent sections. Valve may be missing or non-functional. Pallet may have damaged boards. Still structurally intact and suitable for reconditioning.
Heavy damage, deep staining, cracks in the bottle, severely bent cage, or missing components. Not suitable for reconditioning and reuse. These totes are accepted for materials recycling only. We still pay for Grade D totes because the raw materials have value.
What Determines Your Payout
We believe in transparent pricing. Here are the six factors we evaluate when determining your buy-back quote. No hidden criteria, no arbitrary deductions.
Tote Condition & Grade
The single biggest factor. Grade A totes command the highest price because they require the least reconditioning work. Grade D totes are priced at raw material recovery value.
Previous Contents
Totes that held food-grade or non-hazardous liquids are worth more because they are easier and cheaper to recondition. Totes that held chemicals, inks, or hazardous materials require more intensive processing.
Quantity
Per-unit pricing improves with volume. Selling 50 totes at once is more cost-effective for us to process than 5, and we pass those savings on to you through higher per-unit payouts.
Tote Specifications
Standard 275-gallon and 330-gallon totes on standard pallets have the highest resale demand and therefore the best buy-back prices. Unusual sizes or configurations may be priced differently.
Location
Totes located within our standard service area in Indiana and surrounding states are cheaper to pick up, which means we can offer better pricing. Remote locations may have transport costs factored in.
Market Conditions
Recycled HDPE and steel prices fluctuate with commodity markets. Our buy-back pricing adjusts to reflect current material values, ensuring you always receive a fair, market-rate offer.
Selling Beats Disposing. Every Time.
Many businesses pay disposal companies to haul away their used IBC totes. Others leave them stacked behind warehouses, taking up valuable space and creating safety hazards. Both options cost you money and contribute to the waste stream.
When you sell to Fort Wayne IBC Recycling, you flip the equation. Instead of paying to get rid of totes, you get paid. Your facility stays clean and organized. And the totes get a second life through reconditioning or responsible recycling instead of ending up in a landfill.
Revenue Instead of Cost
Disposal services charge you money. We pay you money. The financial case is straightforward: selling your totes is always better than paying to dispose of them.
Free Up Facility Space
Surplus IBC totes take up thousands of square feet. Our buy-back program clears that space for productive use and eliminates fire and safety risks of IBC stockpiles.
Environmental Responsibility
Every tote sold to us stays out of a landfill. We either recondition it for reuse or recycle every component. You get documentation to prove your sustainability commitment.
Zero Effort on Your End
We handle pickup, loading, transport, grading, and payment. All you do is tell us where the totes are and when to come get them.
Buy Back Program Details
Is there a minimum quantity?
No. We accept as few as one tote. However, per-unit pricing and free pickup eligibility improve significantly with volume. Free pickup is available for orders of 25 or more totes within Indiana.
What if I am not sure about the condition of my totes?
No problem. Describe what you have as best you can, and we will provide a preliminary quote range. Final pricing is confirmed after our team inspects the totes at pickup or at our facility. We never penalize you for an honest description.
Do you accept totes that held hazardous materials?
Yes. We accept totes that previously held most hazardous materials, though additional handling requirements may affect pricing. Contact us with the specific material and SDS information so we can provide an accurate quote.
How quickly do I get paid?
Payment is typically processed within 5 to 7 business days after final grading at our facility. We accept check, ACH direct deposit, or wire transfer. For large or recurring orders, we can arrange expedited payment terms.
Can I combine buy-back with purchasing?
Absolutely. Many customers sell us their damaged or surplus totes and simultaneously purchase reconditioned totes from our inventory. We can offset your purchase price with your buy-back credit for a single simplified transaction.
What if I have totes at multiple locations?
We coordinate multi-site pickups regularly. We build an efficient route across your locations and consolidate everything into one quote and one payment. Contact us to discuss the specifics.
Have more questions? Check our full FAQ page or contact us directly.
Volume Buy-Back Programs
For facilities that generate large quantities of used IBC totes on a regular basis, we offer structured volume programs with guaranteed pricing, priority scheduling, and dedicated account management.
Standard Volume
25-99 totes per pickup- Free pickup anywhere in Indiana
- Volume-adjusted per-tote pricing
- Payment within 5-7 business days
- Quarterly pricing review
- Standard scheduling (3-5 business days)
- Email and phone support
High Volume
100-499 totes per pickup- Free pickup across IN, OH, MI, IL, KY
- Premium per-tote pricing (10-15% above standard)
- Expedited payment within 3 business days
- Locked quarterly pricing (no fluctuation)
- Priority scheduling (1-2 business days)
- Dedicated account representative
Enterprise
500+ totes per month- Free pickup nationwide (lower 48 states)
- Best-in-market per-tote pricing
- Same-week payment via ACH or wire
- Annual contract with guaranteed floor price
- Standing pickup schedule (weekly or bi-weekly)
- Dedicated account manager + quarterly business reviews
Industry-Specific Buy-Back
We collect used IBC totes from every type of industrial, commercial, and agricultural operation. Each industry has different tote conditions, previous contents, and logistical considerations. Here is how we work with the industries we serve most frequently.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing
Grade A-BFood manufacturers typically generate clean, lightly used totes that previously held syrups, oils, juices, or flavoring concentrates. These are our highest-value buy-back totes because they can be reconditioned back to food-grade specification with minimal processing. We offer premium pricing for documented food-grade totes.
Chemical Processing & Distribution
Grade B-CChemical plants and distributors generate totes that held solvents, acids, bases, surfactants, and industrial cleaning compounds. These totes require specialized cleaning and often cannot be reused for food applications, but they have strong demand in the industrial reconditioned market. We handle all hazmat paperwork.
Automotive & Parts Manufacturing
Grade B-CAuto plants and tier-1 suppliers use IBC totes for coolants, cutting fluids, degreasers, paints, and coatings. These totes see heavy use and often have moderate staining or residue. We buy them regardless of cosmetic condition and recondition them for industrial reuse or recycle the materials.
Agriculture & Farm Operations
Grade B-DFarms, co-ops, and agricultural suppliers accumulate totes from fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and liquid feed supplements. Condition varies widely. We accept agricultural totes in any condition and can handle totes with residual product. Seasonal pickup scheduling available for post-season cleanouts.
Warehousing & Distribution Centers
Grade A-BDistribution centers that receive products in IBC totes often accumulate empty containers rapidly. These totes tend to be in excellent condition since they were only used for one transport cycle. We offer standing pickup schedules for distribution centers that generate consistent weekly or monthly tote volume.
Water Treatment & Municipal
Grade B-CWater treatment plants receive chemicals like sodium hypochlorite, ferric chloride, and polymer flocculants in IBC totes. These operations generate a steady, predictable stream of empty totes. We work with municipal purchasing departments and can accommodate procurement requirements including PO-based billing.
Environmental Impact of Selling Your Totes
When you sell your used IBC totes to us instead of sending them to a landfill, the environmental impact is significant and measurable. Here is what happens to the totes you sell us and the resources that are saved.
85% of the totes we purchase are reconditioned and returned to active service, extending their useful life by 3-5 additional years.
The remaining 15% are fully disassembled and recycled. The HDPE plastic, galvanized steel, and wood are separated and sent to specialized recyclers.
Zero totes go to landfill. Every component of every tote we purchase is either reused or recycled. This is our core commitment.
Reconditioning a used tote produces roughly 120 pounds less CO2 than manufacturing a new one from virgin materials.
What Reconditioned Totes Become
Totes that pass our reconditioning process are cleaned, fitted with new gaskets and valves, and sold to businesses that need reliable liquid storage and transport. Your old totes go on to serve in operations like these:
- Small farms storing water, fertilizer, or maple sap
- Manufacturing plants receiving bulk chemicals
- Construction companies storing concrete additives
- Car washes storing soap and cleaning solutions
- Landscaping companies storing herbicides and liquid nutrients
- Craft beverage producers storing ingredients
What Recycled Totes Become
Totes that cannot be reconditioned are fully disassembled. Each material stream is processed separately and turned into new products:
- HDPE bottles are shredded, washed, and pelletized into recycled HDPE resin used for drainage pipe, lumber alternatives, and new containers
- Steel cages are de-galvanized and melted down for use in rebar, structural steel, and automotive components
- Wood pallets are repaired and resold, or chipped into mulch and animal bedding
- Valves, gaskets, and small metal components are sorted by material type and recycled accordingly
- Packaging materials (shrink wrap, labels, tape) are separated and recycled where possible
Schedule a Pickup
Ready to turn your surplus totes into cash? Follow these steps to get a quote and schedule your buy-back pickup. The entire process takes less than 10 minutes of your time.
Count Your Totes
Walk your yard or warehouse and get an approximate count of totes available. Separate them roughly by condition if possible: clean and intact versus stained, damaged, or missing parts. An exact count is not required at this stage; a range is fine. If you have photos, even better.
Note Previous Contents
For each group of totes, note what they previously held. Check the labels, SDS stickers, or any markings on the bottle or cage. If you are not sure, describe the product color, odor, and consistency. This information affects pricing because food-grade and non-hazardous totes are worth more than chemical or hazmat totes.
Submit Your Information
Email us or fill out the quote form at the top of this page. Include your tote count, condition estimate, previous contents, facility address, and any scheduling constraints (dock hours, forklift availability, etc.). We will respond with a per-tote quote within a few hours during business days.
Review and Accept the Quote
We will send you a written quote showing the per-tote price for each grade, estimated total payout, and any transport charges (free for 25+ totes in Indiana). Review the numbers, ask questions if anything is unclear, and confirm when you are ready to schedule the pickup.
Pickup Day
Our driver arrives on the scheduled date with the right truck and equipment. The driver counts and inspects the totes, loads them, and provides you with a signed pickup receipt. If the totes are in better condition than quoted, your payout goes up. If they are in worse condition, we will discuss the adjusted pricing on-site before loading so there are no surprises.
Get Paid
After final grading at our facility, we process your payment. Standard payment is via check or ACH within 5-7 business days. Volume program customers can receive expedited payment within 1-3 business days. You also receive a detailed grading report showing how many totes fell into each grade category and the payout per grade.
Related Services
Pickup & Transport
We handle all logistics for your buy-back totes. Flexible scheduling across Indiana and surrounding states.
Learn moreCleaning & Reconditioning
Totes you sell to us are cleaned, rebuilt, and returned to service. Your totes get a responsible second life.
Learn moreIBC Recycling
Totes that cannot be reconditioned are fully recycled. Zero landfill, full materials recovery guaranteed.
Learn moreYour Used Totes Have Value
Stop paying to dispose of IBC totes. Sell them to us, get paid, and know that every container will be reused or responsibly recycled. It is the smart choice for your bottom line and the planet.