Recycling & Reclamation
Our closed-loop recycling operation recovers 97% of every end-of-life IBC. When a container can no longer be reconditioned, we ensure that every component finds a second purpose.
Zero Waste Is Not a Slogan. It's Our Standard.
A standard 275-gallon IBC tote contains approximately 22 pounds of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), 65 pounds of galvanized steel, and a 30-pound composite or wooden pallet. When these containers end up in a landfill, that is over 100 pounds of fully recoverable material buried underground where it will persist for centuries.
At Salt Lake IBC, we operate one of the most thorough IBC recycling programs in the Intermountain West. Our facility in Woods Cross is purpose-built for disassembling intermediate bulk containers and separating each material stream for maximum recovery. We do not cherry-pick the easy recyclables. We process every component.
Since our founding, we have diverted over 4,200 tons of material from Utah landfills. That represents more than 850 metric tons of avoided CO2 emissions and millions of gallons of saved water that would have been consumed manufacturing replacement materials from scratch.
Material Recovery Rates by Component
Our 97% overall recovery rate is an aggregate. Here is the detailed breakdown showing recovery rates, processing methods, and end-market destinations for each material stream.
| Material | Weight per IBC | Recovery Rate | Processing Method | End Market |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDPE Bottle | 22 lbs (10 kg) | 99.2% | Granulation, wash, pelletization | Drainage pipe, plastic lumber, new containers |
| Galvanized Steel Cage | 65 lbs (29 kg) | 100% | Compression, baling, smelting | Rebar, auto parts, structural steel |
| Wood Pallet | 30 lbs (14 kg) | 94.5% | Refurbishment or chipping | Reuse, landscaping mulch, biomass fuel |
| Composite Pallet | 25 lbs (11 kg) | 97.8% | Cleaning and inspection | Direct reuse in rebottled IBCs |
| Brass Valve Components | 1.5 lbs (0.7 kg) | 99.5% | Disassembly and sorting | Specialty metal recyclers, foundries |
| PP Fittings & Gaskets | 1.2 lbs (0.5 kg) | 88% | Sorted with plastic stream | Polypropylene recyclers |
| Label & Adhesive Residue | 0.3 lbs (0.1 kg) | 0% | Removed during washing | Disposed as solid waste (only 0.25% of total) |
Our Recycling Process
From the moment a used IBC arrives at our facility to the final certification of recycled material, here is exactly what happens during our 7-stage reclamation process.
Processing Capacity & Equipment
Our Woods Cross recycling facility is purpose-built for high-volume IBC processing. We have invested in industrial-grade equipment that allows us to handle large volumes efficiently while maintaining our high recovery rates. The facility operates on a single-shift basis with capacity to expand to double shifts if demand requires.
Our industrial granulator is the centerpiece of the HDPE processing line. It features hardened steel cutting blades, a water-cooled motor, and an integrated screening system that produces consistent 8-12mm flake. The granulator processes up to 500 kg of HDPE per hour, equivalent to approximately 50 IBC bottles. After granulation, the flake passes through a hot-wash system to remove adhesive residue and contaminants, then through a centrifugal dryer before being bagged for shipment to resin processors.
For steel processing, we operate a hydraulic baler that compresses cage frames into dense bales optimized for transport to steel mills. The baler produces bales weighing approximately 1,000 pounds each, maximizing freight efficiency and ensuring we get the best scrap steel pricing from our downstream partners.
Capacity Statistics
Revenue Sharing for Bulk Suppliers
If your business generates a high volume of end-of-life IBCs (50 or more per month), our Revenue Sharing Program offers a financial incentive above standard buyback pricing. Instead of a flat per-container buyback rate, we share a percentage of the recovered material value with you based on the quality and volume of containers supplied.
The program works on a monthly settlement basis. We track all containers received from your facility, process them through our recycling operation, and calculate the total material recovery value. You receive a share of that value, paid via ACH within 15 days of each monthly settlement period.
Revenue sharing participants also receive priority pickup scheduling, a dedicated account representative, and detailed monthly reports showing container volumes, material weights recovered, and environmental impact metrics. These reports are formatted for direct inclusion in corporate sustainability disclosures and ESG filings.
Recycling vs. Landfill: The Real Cost
Many businesses assume landfilling used IBCs is the cheapest option. When you factor in all costs, recycling with Salt Lake IBC is almost always more economical.
Salt Lake IBC Recycling
Typical costs for recycling 20 IBCs with us
Hazardous Material Handling Process
Not all IBCs arrive clean. Some have held hazardous or regulated materials that require special handling under EPA and DOT regulations. Our facility is equipped and permitted to process these containers safely, though the process differs from standard recycling.
When an IBC that previously contained a DOT-regulated hazardous material arrives at our facility, it is immediately directed to our quarantine area -- a separate, bermed section of the yard with secondary containment and spill response equipment. The container is assessed by a trained hazmat technician who reviews the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the previous contents and determines the appropriate handling protocol.
Residual liquids are drained into compatible containment drums and manifested for pickup by a licensed hazardous waste transporter. The empty container is then triple-rinsed following the EPA empty container standard (40 CFR 261.7), which renders it non-hazardous for recycling purposes. Rinsate is collected and disposed of according to its waste classification. Only after the container meets the empty container definition does it enter our standard recycling stream.
Hazmat Handling Capabilities
Downstream Recycling Partners
We do not simply process materials and hope they get recycled. We maintain direct relationships with verified downstream partners who convert our separated materials into new products.
What Gets Recovered from One IBC
A typical 275-gallon IBC contains valuable materials that, when properly separated, have significant recycling value and environmental benefit.
HDPE Plastic
Granulated into flake, pelletized, and used for drainage pipe, plastic lumber, new containers, and industrial packaging.
Galvanized Steel
Compressed and sent to steel mills. Melted and reformed into rebar, auto parts, structural steel, and new industrial equipment.
Wood Pallet
Refurbished for reuse, chipped for landscaping mulch, or processed into biomass fuel pellets for industrial heating.
Valves & Fittings
Brass and stainless fittings go to specialty metal recyclers. Polypropylene components are recycled with the plastic stream.
The Environmental Impact
The environmental calculus of IBC recycling is compelling. Manufacturing a new 275-gallon IBC requires approximately 58 kg of CO2 emissions when you account for raw material extraction, processing, forming, assembly, and transportation. Recycling that same container avoids the vast majority of those emissions because the materials already exist.
HDPE recycling alone saves 75% of the energy required to produce virgin HDPE resin from petroleum feedstock. That translates to roughly 1.5 barrels of oil saved per metric ton of recycled HDPE. With the volume of plastic we process annually, that adds up to thousands of barrels of crude oil left in the ground.
Steel recycling is even more efficient. Recycling steel consumes 60% less energy than producing new steel from iron ore. Every ton of recycled steel saves 1.5 tons of iron ore, 0.5 tons of coal, and 40% of the water used in primary steel production.
When you send your IBCs to Salt Lake IBC for recycling instead of a landfill, you are making a measurable, documentable contribution to resource conservation. We provide the data to prove it.
Per-IBC Environmental Savings
Compliance & Certification
Our recycling operations meet or exceed all applicable environmental regulations. We provide the documentation your business needs for compliance and sustainability reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Recycle Your IBCs the Right Way
Stop sending valuable materials to the landfill. Schedule a free pickup and let us handle the recycling. You will receive full documentation and the satisfaction of knowing 97% of your containers found a second life.