Don't Send It to the Landfill
An IBC tote contains approximately 185 pounds of recoverable materials — 85 lbs of HDPE plastic, 60 lbs of galvanized steel, and 35+ lbs of wood or composite pallet material. Sending it to a landfill wastes all of this recoverable material and takes up significant space. More importantly, it's completely unnecessary because every component of an IBC tote can be recycled or reused.
Option 1: Sell It Back
The best option for totes in usable condition is to sell them back into the secondary market. Companies like Oklahoma IBC purchase used IBC totes in any condition. We pay competitive per-unit prices, handle all pickup logistics, and can accommodate anything from a single tote to hundreds. Even damaged totes have value for their recyclable materials. Contact us for a buyback quote.
Option 2: Recycle Through a Specialist
If your totes have held hazardous materials or are in very poor condition, specialist recycling is the responsible choice. IBC recyclers disassemble each tote and process each material through its optimal recycling stream: HDPE is granulated and sold as recycled resin, steel is sent to metal recyclers, wood pallets are chipped or repaired, and any residual chemicals are properly disposed of. Oklahoma IBC provides this service with 95%+ material recovery rates.
Option 3: Repurpose
Before disposing of any IBC tote, consider whether it could serve a second life in a non-industrial application. Popular repurposing options include rainwater collection, garden beds, composting bins, livestock water troughs, workshop storage, and DIY projects. Even a tote with a cracked bottle can find new life — the steel cage alone is useful as a firewood rack, storage cage, or animal enclosure.
Option 4: Proper Waste Disposal
As a last resort, if a tote previously held extremely hazardous materials and cannot be decontaminated, it must be disposed of through licensed hazardous waste disposal channels. This typically involves a licensed waste hauler and disposal facility certified for the specific contaminants involved. This is the most expensive option and should only be used when the tote truly cannot be cleaned or recycled.
Documentation
For businesses with compliance obligations, document your IBC disposal method. Whether you sell, recycle, or dispose, keep records of the number of totes, the disposal method, the vendor or facility used, and any certificates of recycling or destruction received. This documentation supports ESG reporting, waste reduction tracking, and regulatory compliance.