Repurposed IBC Products

Our IBC rain barrels are built from cleaned Grade B or Grade C totes that have been cut, fitted with a screened inlet on top to catch debris and mosquitoes, and equipped with a standard garden-hose spigot near the bottom. The original 2" butterfly valve is retained as a high-flow drain for rapid emptying. We wrap the exterior in UV-resistant agricultural shade cloth or paint-grade exterior coating to block sunlight and prevent algae growth inside the translucent HDPE bottle. Each barrel holds 275 gallons of rainwater, enough to irrigate a large residential garden for two weeks without municipal water. The steel cage provides structural support and stackability, and the pallet base keeps the unit off the ground for gravity-fed drip irrigation systems. A standard residential downspout diverter kit is included to connect the rain barrel to your gutter system without cutting the downspout.

Our IBC composting system uses a two-tote design: one tote serves as the active composting chamber and the second collects finished compost and leachate. We cut a large access door into the side of the upper tote and drill ventilation holes in a pattern that promotes aerobic decomposition. A perforated false floor separates the composting material from the liquid collection zone below. The 6" lid opening on top accepts kitchen scraps, yard waste, and cardboard. The bottom valve lets you drain nutrient-rich compost tea directly into a watering can. Because the cage holds the bottle rigid, the system is structurally sound even when fully loaded with wet organic material. The galvanized cage resists the acidic leachate that composting produces. Single-tote models are also available for smaller households. The two-tote system processes approximately 500 lbs of organic waste per month.

A single IBC tote holds 275 gallons of potable water, enough for a family of four for approximately 35 days at the recommended one gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation. We prepare emergency water storage totes by triple-rinsing food-grade bottles, installing a new vented lid cap with a fine-mesh screen, and adding a stainless-steel spigot adapter for easy dispensing. The totes are delivered on intact pallets so they can be positioned by forklift or pallet jack and stored in a garage, basement, or outbuilding. We recommend treating stored water with unscented household bleach at 8 drops per gallon and rotating the supply every 6 to 12 months. For rural properties and disaster preparedness, we also offer multi-tote manifold kits that connect two or more totes in series for 550 to 1,100 gallons of reserve capacity. Each manifold connection uses food-grade stainless-steel fittings and includes shut-off valves for isolating individual totes.

Our IBC outdoor shower converts a retired tote into a private, enclosed shower stall for backyard use, pool areas, campgrounds, and beach properties. We cut the bottle to create a 6-foot-tall enclosure with a doorway, install a weatherproof shower head assembly through the top, and plumb the drain through the pallet base. The steel cage frame supports a curtain rail or solid door panel for privacy. The HDPE walls are waterproof, mold-resistant, and easy to clean with a quick spray-down. We offer solar-heated water bag options for off-grid locations where no hot water supply is available. The solar bag hangs above the cage and gravity-feeds warm water through the shower head. Connected models plumb directly to your outdoor faucet with a standard garden hose and include a mixing valve for temperature control.

Our IBC chicken coop conversion provides a weatherproof, predator-resistant shelter for 4 to 6 backyard chickens. We cut access doors on two sides for bird entry and egg collection, install perch bars across the interior, and mount nesting boxes along one wall. Ventilation windows with hardware cloth screens are cut into the upper walls to provide airflow while keeping predators out. The steel cage frame supports an attached outdoor run made from welded wire mesh panels, giving the birds a safe space to forage during the day. The HDPE material is easy to clean with a hose, resists rot and pests, and does not harbor mites like wooden coops. The pallet base elevates the coop off the ground, which improves ventilation, keeps the floor dry, and prevents rodents from nesting underneath. We offer models with hinged rooflines for easy interior access during cleaning.

We convert IBC totes into compact greenhouses and cold frames for extending the growing season in northern climates. The steel cage provides a rigid frame that supports clear greenhouse plastic sheeting or polycarbonate panels on all four sides and the top. We remove the HDPE bottle and replace it with the glazing material, creating a walk-in greenhouse with approximately 13 square feet of growing space and 6+ feet of interior headroom (using a 330-gallon cage). A hinged door on one side provides access, and adjustable roof vents prevent overheating on sunny days. The pallet base acts as the floor frame and can be fitted with gravel, pavers, or a wood deck for a clean walking surface. For cold frames, we cut the cage to half height and hinge a polycarbonate lid on top for growing seedlings and cold-hardy greens through the winter. Optional drip irrigation and grow lighting kits are available for year-round production.

For farms, construction sites, and fleet operations that need on-site fuel storage, we convert IBC totes into portable fuel dispensing stations. The tote is fitted with a hand-crank or electric transfer pump, a fuel-compatible hose assembly with an automatic shut-off nozzle, a fuel filter, and a mechanical or digital flow meter for tracking consumption. All gaskets are upgraded to Viton (FKM) for fuel compatibility, and the vent cap includes a flame arrestor for safety. The pallet base allows the entire station to be repositioned with a forklift as needed. Our builds comply with NFPA 30 and OSHA requirements for portable fuel storage under 660 gallons. We include a spill containment tray, fire extinguisher bracket, and grounding cable with every fuel station build. NOTE: IBC totes are suitable for diesel fuel, biodiesel, and kerosene. They are NOT recommended for gasoline due to HDPE permeability concerns at high vapor pressures. Check local fire codes before installing.

While our single rain barrel collects water from one downspout, our full rainwater harvesting system connects multiple IBC totes in series to capture, store, filter, and distribute rainwater for whole-property irrigation, livestock watering, or even (with proper filtration and treatment) non-potable household use. A typical system includes 2 to 4 IBC totes connected by 2" manifold pipes with isolation valves between each tote, a first-flush diverter that discards the initial dirty runoff from the roof, a sediment filter at the inlet, and a distribution pump that delivers water at 40-60 PSI to irrigation zones, garden hoses, or livestock waterers. Each 275-gallon tote captures the runoff from approximately 170 square feet of roof during a 1-inch rain event. A 4-tote system (1,100 gallons) can capture the entire runoff from an 680-square-foot roof section in a moderate storm. We design and install complete systems customized to your roof area, rainfall patterns, and water usage needs. Every system includes a winterization kit for cold-climate installations that includes drain-down valves and insulated pipe wrap.