Buy & Sell IBCs

Whether you need reliable containers for your operation or want to turn surplus totes into cash, Salt Lake IBC makes the process fast, fair, and transparent.

For Buyers

Quality IBCs at Smart Prices

Buying new intermediate bulk containers at full retail is one of the biggest unnecessary expenses in bulk liquid handling. A brand-new 275-gallon IBC can cost $300-$500 depending on specifications. Our professionally reconditioned totes deliver the same performance for 40-60% less, with every container backed by our quality guarantee.

Every IBC we sell has been through our rigorous inspection and reconditioning process. Bottles are triple-washed, pressure-tested, and certified for their intended use. Steel cages are inspected for structural integrity, and valves are replaced or rebuilt as needed. When you buy from Salt Lake IBC, you get a container that performs like new at a fraction of the price.

We also stock brand-new IBCs for applications that require virgin containers, including pharmaceutical-grade and certain food-grade uses where regulatory requirements mandate new equipment.

What We Sell

Reconditioned Food-Grade IBCs

From $120

Triple-washed, sanitized, and certified for food contact. Previously held food-grade liquids only. Ideal for juices, oils, syrups, and potable water.

Reconditioned Industrial IBCs

From $85

Cleaned and pressure-tested for non-food industrial applications. Great for soaps, detergents, coolants, lubricants, and general process water.

New IBC Totes (275 & 330 gal)

From $280

Brand-new containers from top manufacturers. Full warranty, UN/DOT rated, available in HDPE bottle with galvanized steel cage on composite or steel pallet.

Rebottled IBCs

From $175

New HDPE bottle installed in an inspected used cage. An excellent middle-ground: new food-contact surface with the cost savings of a reconditioned frame.

Understanding IBC Pricing

IBC pricing is not one-size-fits-all. Here is a detailed breakdown of the factors that affect what you pay for reconditioned containers and what real-world pricing looks like.

Price Factor Breakdown

Container Grade

Food-grade IBCs cost more because they require a more intensive cleaning protocol, microbial testing, and can only be sourced from containers that previously held food-safe products. Industrial-grade containers have a lower cost of reconditioning.

Example: A food-grade 275-gal IBC typically runs $120-$160, while an equivalent industrial-grade unit costs $85-$110.

Capacity (275 vs. 330 gallon)

The 330-gallon IBC uses a larger HDPE bottle and a taller cage. The additional material and larger footprint mean 330-gallon units typically cost 15-25% more than 275-gallon equivalents.

Example: A reconditioned 330-gal food-grade IBC ranges from $140-$195, compared to $120-$160 for the 275-gal version.

Bottle Condition

Bottles range from crystal clear (like new) to moderately tinted or stained. Clearer bottles command higher prices because they allow visual inspection of stored contents. Tinted bottles are functionally identical but cost less.

Example: A clear-bottle food-grade IBC might be $150, while a lightly tinted equivalent is $125.

Pallet Type

IBCs come on composite pallets (plastic/wood hybrid), all-steel pallets, or wooden pallets. Steel and composite pallets are more durable and preferred for stacking and forklift handling. Wooden pallets are the most economical.

Example: Composite pallet adds roughly $10-15 over a wooden pallet base.

Seasonal Pricing Trends

IBC prices fluctuate seasonally based on supply and demand in the Intermountain West. Understanding these patterns can help you time your purchases for maximum savings.

Spring (Mar-May)Prices rising

Demand increases as agriculture, landscaping, and construction ramp up. Best to order early before peak.

Summer (Jun-Aug)Peak pricing

Highest demand period. Agriculture, food processing, and outdoor projects drive strong demand. Inventory can be tight.

Fall (Sep-Nov)Prices stabilizing

Demand eases after harvest season. Good selection of recently returned containers. Moderate pricing.

Winter (Dec-Feb)Best deals

Lowest demand period. We often run winter promotions and have surplus inventory. Ideal time to stock up.

Tip: Annual program customers lock in pricing year-round and avoid seasonal fluctuations entirely.

How Buying Works

From first contact to delivery, we make purchasing IBCs as simple as possible.

Tell Us What You Need

Call or submit an inquiry. Let us know the quantity, grade (food, industrial, chemical), and capacity you require.

Receive Your Quote

We provide an itemized quote within 2 hours during business days. Pricing includes any applicable volume discounts.

Approve & Schedule

Confirm your order and choose pickup from our Woods Cross yard or delivery to your location.

Quality Check

Each IBC is final-inspected, labeled with its grade and wash date, and palletized for safe transport.

Delivery or Pickup

Receive your containers on schedule. We provide delivery receipts and certification paperwork.

Volume Discount Schedule

Reconditioned IBC pricing tiers

1-4 units

Perfect for small operations and trial orders

Standard pricing

5-19 units

Most popular tier for mid-size businesses

10% off per unit

20-49 units

Significant savings for growing operations

18% off per unit

50-99 units

Fleet pricing for large manufacturers

25% off per unit

100+ units

Custom quote

Bulk Orders, Better Prices

The more you buy, the more you save. Our tiered pricing structure rewards volume purchases with progressively deeper discounts. For businesses that use IBCs regularly, we also offer standing order programs where we reserve inventory at locked-in pricing and deliver on a set schedule.

Standing orders are especially popular with food processors, chemical blenders, and agricultural suppliers who go through 10-50 IBCs per month. You tell us what you need and when, and we handle the rest. No scrambling for containers during peak season.

All bulk orders include free delivery within 50 miles of our Woods Cross facility. Extended delivery available at competitive freight rates.

Request Bulk Pricing

Trade-In Program

Our trade-in program makes upgrading your IBC fleet effortless. Bring in your old, used, or damaged IBCs and receive credit toward the purchase of reconditioned or new containers. This is the most economical way to refresh your inventory without paying full price.

Here is how it works: when you place an order for reconditioned IBCs, let us know you have containers to trade in. We assess their condition using our standard grading system (Grade A through D), assign a trade-in value, and apply that credit directly to your purchase invoice. You can also combine a trade-in with a pickup -- we deliver your new containers and haul away the old ones on the same truck.

Trade-in values are calculated the same way as our buyback pricing: based on container condition, previous contents, age, and current market demand. The difference is convenience -- everything happens in a single transaction with a single invoice.

Trade-In Value Examples

Grade A food-grade IBC traded toward reconditioned food-grade

$40-$65 creditNet cost: $55-$120

Grade B industrial IBC traded toward reconditioned industrial

$20-$40 creditNet cost: $45-$90

Grade C damaged IBC traded toward any purchase

$5-$15 creditPlus free removal of old unit

Grade D end-of-life IBC traded toward any purchase

Free pickup creditSaves you disposal cost

Payment Terms & Financing Options

We offer flexible payment options to fit the cash flow needs of businesses of all sizes.

Pay at Pickup / Delivery

Cash, check, or credit card at the time of service. No application needed. Best for one-time or occasional purchases.

Net-30 Business Account

Qualified businesses can apply for net-30 payment terms. Submit a simple credit application and we typically approve within 1 business day. Invoices are sent electronically after each delivery.

ACH / Wire Transfer

For large orders or customers who prefer electronic payment, we accept ACH transfers and wire payments. ACH transfers typically settle within 2-3 business days. Wire transfers are confirmed same day.

Bulk Purchase Agreements

For annual commitments of 100+ IBCs, we structure formal purchase agreements with fixed pricing, scheduled deliveries, and consolidated monthly invoicing. This simplifies procurement and accounting for large operations.

Seller Payment (Net-15)

When you sell IBCs to us in larger quantities, we offer net-15 payment terms. Smaller lots and walk-in sellers receive cash or check at the time of transaction. We also pay via ACH for recurring sellers.

Credit Card

We accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) for any purchase amount. A convenience fee may apply for orders over $2,500 paid by card.

For Sellers

Turn Used IBCs into Cash

If you have used IBC totes sitting in your yard or warehouse, they are worth money. Salt Lake IBC pays competitive prices for used containers in any condition. Clean food-grade totes command the highest prices, but we also buy industrial-grade, damaged, and even end-of-life IBCs that are only suitable for recycling.

We purchase IBCs that previously held a wide range of contents including food products, soaps and detergents, agricultural chemicals, industrial solvents, and water-based solutions. We accept containers with minor damage such as dented cages, cracked valves, or stained bottles, as these are often repairable in our reconditioning facility.

Our pricing is based on the container's condition, previous contents, and current market demand. We provide transparent quotes and can often pay cash on pickup. For larger quantities, we offer net-15 payment terms.

Pricing Factors

Container Condition

Like-new containers with intact cages, clean bottles, and working valves earn top dollar. Cosmetic wear is fine. Structural damage reduces value but does not disqualify.

Previous Contents

Food-grade IBCs (previously held juice, oil, soap, etc.) are worth 2-3x more than chemical-grade containers. Hazmat IBCs require special handling and have lower buyback value.

Quantity

Larger lots command better per-unit pricing because of logistics efficiency. A pickup of 20 IBCs from one location costs us less per tote than five separate pickups of 4 each.

Market Conditions

IBC buyback prices fluctuate with demand, scrap steel prices, and recycled HDPE resin markets. We update our pricing weekly to reflect current conditions.

Tips to Maximize Your Selling Price

Drain and rinse your IBCs

Containers that arrive empty and rinsed require less processing, which means we can offer a higher buyback price. A quick rinse with a garden hose makes a noticeable difference.

Keep labels and documentation

Knowing what was previously stored in an IBC helps us grade it accurately. If the original manufacturer labels are intact, leave them on. If you have SDS sheets for the previous contents, have them ready.

Store IBCs properly

Containers stored outdoors degrade faster from UV exposure and weather. Bottles become brittle and yellowed, reducing their value. If possible, store used IBCs under cover or indoors.

Sell in bulk when possible

Accumulate containers until you have at least 10-20 before calling for a pickup. Larger lots earn better per-unit pricing because our collection cost per tote drops significantly.

Sell food-grade IBCs separately

If you have a mix of food-grade and industrial IBCs, separate them before our arrival. Food-grade containers earn significantly more, and mixing them with chemical-grade totes can lower the overall quote.

Time your sale strategically

Buyback prices tend to be strongest in spring and early summer when demand peaks. If you can hold containers through winter, selling in March-May often yields 10-15% higher prices.

Our Inspection Process for Sellers

When our team arrives for a pickup or you deliver IBCs to our yard, every container goes through a quick but thorough inspection. Understanding this process helps you know exactly what to expect and why certain containers are graded differently.

Visual Bottle Assessment

We check the HDPE bottle for cracks, punctures, UV degradation (yellowing or brittleness), and staining severity. Clear or lightly tinted bottles score highest.

Cage Structural Check

The steel cage is inspected for bent tubes, broken welds, excessive rust, and missing cross-members. Minor dents are acceptable; major structural compromise routes the container to recycling.

Valve and Cap Inspection

We test the bottom valve for leaks and proper operation. The top cap is checked for seal integrity. Damaged valves are replaceable, but it reduces the buyback price slightly.

Previous Contents Verification

We check labels, odor, and any documentation you provide to determine what was previously stored. This is the single biggest factor in grading and pricing.

Pallet Condition

The pallet base is checked for cracks, rot (wood pallets), or damage. Missing pallet runners reduce value. Composite pallets in good shape add value.

Grade Assignment and Quote

Based on all factors, we assign a grade (A through D) and provide a per-unit price on the spot. You can accept or decline -- there is no obligation.

What Conditions Do We Accept?

We buy IBCs in virtually any condition. Here is how we categorize containers and what each grade is worth.

Grade A

Excellent

Clean, food-grade contents only
No dents or cage damage
Working valve & cap
Clear or lightly tinted bottle
Less than 3 years old

Highest buyback value

Grade B

Good

Industrial or food-grade contents
Minor cage dents acceptable
Functional valve
Moderate bottle discoloration
Less than 5 years old

Strong buyback value

Grade C

Fair

Any non-hazardous contents
Moderate cage damage OK
Valve may need replacement
Heavy staining acceptable
Any age

Moderate buyback value

Grade D

Recycle Only

Structural damage
Cracked or punctured bottles
Previously held hazmat
Heavily contaminated
Missing components

Recycling value (free pickup)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you offer warranties on reconditioned IBCs?

Yes. All reconditioned IBCs come with a 90-day warranty against leaks and structural defects. If a container fails within that period, we replace it at no cost.

Can I inspect containers before purchasing?

Absolutely. Our Woods Cross yard is open Monday through Friday for walk-in inspections. We encourage buyers to visit and see the quality of our reconditioning firsthand.

How quickly can I get containers after ordering?

In-stock items are available for same-day pickup. Delivery within the Wasatch Front is typically next-day. Larger orders may require 2-3 business days for preparation.

Do you buy IBCs that held chemicals or hazmat?

We accept IBCs that previously held most industrial chemicals. Hazardous material containers require documentation of previous contents. We do not accept containers that held radioactive materials or certain restricted substances.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept cash, check, credit card, ACH transfer, and wire transfer. Qualified businesses can apply for net-30 payment terms on purchases.

Do you sell IBC components separately?

Yes. We sell replacement valves, caps, gaskets, cage bolts, and composite pallets individually. Visit our accessories page or call for specific part availability.

Can I set up a standing purchase order?

Yes. Standing orders reserve inventory at your contracted price and deliver on your schedule. Many customers use weekly or bi-weekly standing orders.

Do you ship IBCs outside your 5-state area?

We arrange freight anywhere in the continental United States through our carrier partners. Shipping costs vary by destination and load size.

Ready to Buy or Sell?

Get a free quote in under 2 hours. Whether you are purchasing containers for your business or selling used totes, we make the process fast and fair.

Get a Free Quote Schedule a Pickup