The Environmental and Practical Benefits of Reusing IBC Totes

An IBC tote is built to outlast its first fill. The steel cage and pallet are durable, the bottle can often be cleaned or replaced, and the whole unit is a standard size. Even so, plenty of empties sit behind buildings or go out as waste because nobody has decided what to do with them.

Reuse is often a sensible answer, for practical reasons as well as environmental ones. This article looks at what reuse really offers, where it does not fit, and how to judge a used container.

The Practical Case

Used and rebottled totes are generally priced below new ones, though the gap depends on condition, size, quantity, and the market at the time. Partner suppliers price by quote, so the useful comparison is the quote you receive against your other options.

Cost is only part of it. A used tote has the same general format as a new one of the same size, with a footprint of about 40 x 48 in, so it usually fits the racking, forks, and floor plan you already have. Valve threads and fittings can differ, so check those before you commit.

Rebottled totes sit between new and used. A rebottled tote has a new HDPE bottle in an inspected cage, so you avoid the question of what the bottle held before while still reusing the cage. Reconditioned is a broader term, and it may or may not include a new bottle, so ask each supplier what they mean by it.

The Environmental Case

The environmental argument is straightforward. Reusing a tote avoids building a new one, and building a new one takes plastic, steel, a pallet, energy, and transport. Each time an existing tote goes back into service, that demand for new material is put off.

• •Plastic: Reusing a bottle, or recycling it when it is finished, keeps HDPE in use rather than in a landfill.
• •Steel: A cage that gets a new bottle stays in service rather than going for scrap, and scrap steel is widely recycled when the cage is finally done.
• •Pallets: A sound pallet can stay with the tote, and a worn wood pallet can often be repaired.
• •Transport: Sourcing locally can mean a shorter trip than bringing containers in from far away.

The benefit depends on the details. A tote that fails in service and spills its contents is not a good outcome, and neither is a used tote that is unsuitable for what you put in it. Reuse works when the container fits the job.

Not All Used Totes Are Equal

The main concern about used containers is condition, and that concern is fair. Before you buy, it helps to know what a careful inspection generally covers:

1. The cage, checked for dents, cracks, broken welds, and rust.
2. The bottle, checked for cracks, discoloration, UV damage, and residue.
3. The valve and gaskets, checked for leaks and wear.
4. The pallet, checked for soundness and fork access.
5. The previous contents, confirmed with whatever records exist.
6. The plate, checked for markings and test dates if your use calls for them.

Grades such as A, B, and C are common, but they are not a universal standard. Ask a supplier how they define each grade, and ask what they know about previous contents.

Reuse in the Container Lifecycle

Instead of a straight line from manufacture to disposal, a tote can pass through several stages:

When a tote is finally finished, the parts can be separated. The steel goes to scrap, the HDPE can go to plastic recyclers where a market exists, and a wood pallet may be repaired or chipped. Exactly what happens depends on the condition of the tote and what it held.

When Reuse Does Not Fit

Reuse is not the right answer for every job. If your product is food or potable water, ask the supplier for documentation and confirm with your own QA and current regulations. If you ship regulated goods, check the UN markings and test dates, and check current regulations. A customer specification may also require a new container. In those cases, the right container is the one that meets the requirement.

Getting Started

Moving to reused totes rarely means changing your operation. The main work is finding a source you can ask direct questions. Look for a supplier that:

• •Explains how it inspects and grades containers.
• •Shares what it knows about previous contents.
• •Offers more than one condition level, so you can match the tote to the job.
• •Can also take your empties, or tell you where they should go.

Finding Reused Totes in Chicagoland

IBC Recycling Chicago takes requests from Chicago and the Chicagoland area and passes them to partner suppliers. Availability depends on the supplier, and pricing comes by quote. Request a quote to buy reused totes, sell empties, or recycle containers that are finished, and a partner supplier follows up.