IBC Tote Recycling Services Near You
We pick up, recycle, and pay for used IBC totes nationwide. Request your free quote now!
Submit for Removal!
Why Recycle?
These in-demand products are often reusable and recyclable.
Clearing out excess materials can help promote workplace productivity.
We pay for qualifying totes based on condition, quantity, and location. You'll get a customized quote after submitting your information.
We've completed 200+ IBC tote transactions with businesses nationwide since 2019.
How Do I Start Recycling My IBCs?
Follow these easy steps to get started!
Container Acceptance Guidelines
To be eligible for pickup, all containers must be structurally sound and free from the following issues:
- Damage to the inner tank
- Severe oxidation
- Stained bottles
- Severe structural damage
- Wooden pallets
- More than 5 gallons of residue, regardless of whether another regulatory empty-container threshold may apply
We accept a limited number of damaged totes per pickup, though we're unable to pay for totes that are damaged or still on wooden pallets. Contact us to confirm what we can take for your load.
What Sizes of IBC Totes Do We Accept?
We accept standard 275-gallon and 330-gallon caged IBC totes.
Empty Tote Requirements
Containers that do not meet RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) empty standards will be returned to the sender at their own expense. To avoid unnecessary costs and delays, please ensure that all totes are emptied before shipping.
For a tote that held hazardous waste other than an acute hazardous waste or compressed gas, all waste that can be removed using common practices, such as pouring, pumping, or aspirating, must first be removed. The container must then have no more than one inch of residue remaining on the bottom or meet the applicable weight-based limit. For containers larger than 119 gallons, the alternative weight-based limit is no more than 0.3% of the container’s total capacity by weight, as provided in 40 CFR 261.7(b)(1).
See the EPA's empty container standard (40 CFR 261.7) for the full regulatory definition.
How to Photograph Your Totes
To help us accurately assess your IBCs, please provide clear photos of key components. Include an inside shot of a tote to show its interior condition, a close-up of one of the valves, and a group photo displaying all totes together. Additionally, provide photos or copies of your safety data sheets (SDS) to confirm the previous contents and ensure safe handling.
Getting Your Totes Ready for Pickup
For a smooth and timely pickup, please ensure your totes meet all acceptance criteria and are placed in an easily accessible location. Proper preparation helps prevent delays and streamlines the process, so we ask that you complete the following steps prior to your pickup window:
All removable contents must be drained/pumped out, with no more than 1 inch of residue remaining on the bottom of the tote, or the applicable weight-based residue limit met.
All closures must be in place and in the locked (closed) position.
Organize your totes so they can be properly loaded.
IBC Tote Recycling FAQs
Do you pay for IBC totes?
Yes. We pay for qualifying totes based on condition, quantity, and location - you'll get a customized quote after submitting your information.
What counts as an "empty" IBC tote?
For most hazardous wastes, an IBC tote is considered RCRA-empty when all waste removable through common practices has been removed and either no more than one inch of residue remains on the bottom or the applicable weight-based residue limit is met. Different requirements apply to containers that held acute hazardous waste, compressed gas, or certain hazardous-waste pharmaceuticals.
Do you accept damaged totes?
We accept a limited number of damaged totes per pickup, though we're unable to pay for totes that are damaged or still on wooden pallets. Contact us to confirm what we can take for your load.
How long does pickup take once I request a quote?
Pickup is typically scheduled within 2-3 business days of your request.
What sizes of IBC totes do you accept?
We accept standard 275-gallon and 330-gallon caged IBC totes.
Does Verde Trader charge for pickup or transportation?
No. Pickup and transportation are provided at zero cost to you, we handle the logistics.
Do I need to rinse my tote before pickup?
Most totes don't need rinsing to qualify as empty. Containers that held an acute hazardous waste identified in 40 CFR §§261.31 or 261.33(e) are subject to different requirements. Generally, the container must be triple rinsed with a solvent capable of removing the material, cleaned by a method demonstrated to provide equivalent removal, or have a protective inner liner removed, when applicable. Because waste classification depends on how the material was used and discarded, an SDS alone may not conclusively determine whether the previous contents were a P-listed waste.
Totes in good condition are cleaned and resold as used or reconditioned inventory. Totes that can't be reused are broken down and recycled for their HDPE and steel content. Browse our current reconditioned and used IBC tote inventory.
What Else Does Verde Trader Recycle?
Verde Trader also buys and recycles other used industrial packaging, including steel drums, plastic drums, wood pallets, and Gaylord boxes. If you're looking to buy totes instead of recycle them, we also stock used, reconditioned, and food-grade IBC totes.
Want to sell totes instead of having them recycled? Visit our IBC tote buying page, or read our full guide on how to recycle IBC totes for more on the process.
