About Ohio IBC Totes
We're on a mission to keep every IBC tote out of the landfill. Discover our story, values, and commitment to sustainability.
Who We Are
Ohio IBC Totes is a Columbus-based company dedicated to giving intermediate bulk containers a second, third, and even fourth life. We buy, sell, recondition, clean, and recycle IBC totes for businesses across the entire state of Ohio and beyond.
Our facility on Distribution Drive processes thousands of IBC totes every year. Each one is inspected by hand, assessed for reuse potential, and either reconditioned to meet strict quality standards or broken down into raw materials for responsible recycling. Nothing we touch ends up in a landfill.
We serve agricultural operations, chemical manufacturers, food and beverage producers, water treatment plants, and dozens of other industries that rely on IBC totes for safe, efficient liquid bulk handling. If your business uses totes, we can help you save money and reduce waste at the same time.
Founded in 2015, our company has grown from a one-person operation in a rented 3,000-square-foot warehouse into a full-service circular economy hub with a 22,000-square-foot facility, a fleet of dedicated delivery trucks, and a team of over 25 specialists who share a single vision: zero IBC tote waste in Ohio.
50,000+
Totes Processed
2,000+
Businesses Served
0
Totes Landfilled
100%
Materials Recovered
22,000
Sq Ft Facility
25+
Team Members
750+
Tons Diverted
11
Years in Business
Company Profile
A closer look at who we are, what we operate, and the infrastructure that powers Ohio's leading IBC tote circular economy operation.
Team & Organization
- Full-Time Employees25+
- Warehouse Crew14
- Logistics & Drivers5
- Quality Inspectors3
- Customer Service2
- Operations Management2
- Average Employee Tenure3.2 years
Facility Details
- Total Facility Size22,000 sq ft
- Receiving & Intake Area3,500 sq ft
- Inspection Bay2,000 sq ft
- Wash & Reconditioning5,500 sq ft
- Storage & Staging8,000 sq ft
- Disassembly Zone2,000 sq ft
- Office & Admin1,000 sq ft
Equipment & Assets
- Automated Wash Lines2
- High-Pressure Washers4
- Pressure Test Stations3
- Forklifts (Electric)5
- Delivery Trucks (26-ft)4
- Flatbed Trailers2
- Water Reclamation System1
- Cage Straightening Jig2
Our Mission & Values
Everything we do is guided by a simple belief: industrial containers are too valuable to throw away. Our mission is to build a circular economy for IBC totes in Ohio, where every container is reused, reconditioned, or recycled — never wasted.
Zero Waste
We have a strict zero-landfill policy. Every component of every tote — the HDPE bottle, the galvanized steel cage, the pallet, the valve — is either reused or recycled into new raw materials. Nothing is discarded. Since 2018, we have maintained a 100% material recovery rate across more than 40,000 totes processed. We audit our waste streams quarterly, track every single container from intake to final disposition, and publish our diversion numbers annually for full accountability. Zero waste is not aspirational for us — it is the operational standard against which every process and every employee is measured.
Honest Pricing
We believe sustainable choices shouldn't come with a premium. Our reconditioned totes cost 60-80% less than new, and we offer fair buyback prices for your surplus. Transparent quotes, no hidden fees. Every quote we issue includes a full breakdown: the base price of the tote, any reconditioning costs, delivery charges, and applicable volume discounts. We never pad quotes with ambiguous line items. Our buyback program pays businesses within 15 days of pickup, and we adjust our purchase prices monthly based on current market conditions so you always get a fair deal.
Quality First
Every reconditioned tote goes through a rigorous multi-point inspection. We pressure-test, triple-wash, and visually inspect each container before it leaves our facility. We stand behind every tote we sell. Our 17-point inspection checklist covers bottle integrity, UV degradation, wall thickness, valve functionality, gasket condition, cage weld points, cage geometry, pallet structural soundness, label removal, odor testing, hydrostatic pressure hold, leak detection, threading condition, cap seal, drain port integrity, exterior cleanliness, and final visual review. Any tote that fails even one checkpoint is pulled from the reconditioning line.
Community Impact
We're deeply rooted in Central Ohio. Our warehouse creates local jobs, we partner with Ohio-based recyclers, and we work with local businesses to help them meet their sustainability targets. Beyond our core operations, we volunteer with Keep Columbus Beautiful for annual river and roadside cleanup events, mentor students from Columbus State Community College who are studying environmental science and logistics, and participate in the Columbus Chamber of Commerce sustainability roundtable. In 2024 alone, our team contributed over 200 volunteer hours to local environmental and community organizations.
Environmental Stewardship
Every tote we recondition prevents roughly 30 pounds of plastic from entering the waste stream. Multiply that by the tens of thousands of totes we handle annually, and the impact is enormous. But our environmental commitment extends beyond totes. We run a closed-loop water reclamation system that recycles 80% of our wash water. Our facility uses LED lighting throughout, reducing energy consumption by 60% compared to traditional warehouse lighting. Our electric forklifts produce zero direct emissions on-site. And we are actively pursuing ISO 14001 environmental management certification to formalize our environmental management system.
Reliability
When you need totes, you need them on time. We maintain deep inventory at our Columbus facility and operate our own fleet for pickup and delivery anywhere in Ohio. Same-week turnaround on most orders. Our inventory management system tracks real-time stock levels across all tote grades — rebottled, reconditioned, food-grade, and standard — so we can confirm availability instantly. For large-volume customers, we offer guaranteed stock reservations and scheduled recurring deliveries. Our on-time delivery rate has been above 97% for three consecutive years, and our average order-to-delivery time is 3.2 business days.
Innovation
We never stop improving our processes. From our proprietary tote tracking system that follows every container through its lifecycle, to our Eco-Impact Calculator that quantifies the environmental savings for each customer, technology and innovation drive our operations forward. In 2023, we invested in a second automated wash line that doubled our reconditioning throughput. We continuously trial new cleaning agents, test advanced leak-detection methods, and evaluate emerging recycling technologies. Our goal is to set the standard for what IBC tote reconditioning looks like nationwide.
Transparency
We believe our customers and partners deserve to know exactly how we operate. We publish our annual sustainability metrics, share our reconditioning processes openly, and provide every customer with documentation showing the environmental impact of their purchase. When you buy a reconditioned tote from us, you receive a certificate of reconditioning that includes the tote's inspection results, the reconditioning steps performed, and the estimated environmental savings compared to purchasing new. We are an open book because we have nothing to hide and everything to share.
Key Milestones
A decade of steady growth, meaningful impact, and unwavering commitment to the circular economy for IBC totes.
Founded
Opened our first 3,000 sq ft warehouse in Columbus. Processed 500 totes in year one with a team of one.
First Major Contract
Signed a regional agricultural cooperative. Volume tripled overnight. Invested in our first automated wash system.
Facility Expansion
Moved to a 12,000 sq ft facility on Distribution Drive with dedicated processing zones. Team grew to 8.
100% Recovery Rate
Brought full disassembly in-house. Achieved zero-landfill status for every tote processed — maintained ever since.
Statewide Fleet
Launched dedicated pickup and delivery routes across all major Ohio metro areas. Volume hit 8,000 totes per year.
Pandemic Resilience
Ran double shifts to supply totes for sanitizer and disinfectant production. Proved circular supply chains are more resilient.
Food-Grade Certified
Invested in FDA-compliant wash equipment. Opened door to food, beverage, and brewery customers.
25,000 Totes Processed
Reached 25,000 cumulative totes — equivalent to 375 tons of material diverted from Ohio landfills.
22,000 Sq Ft Facility
Expanded to 22,000 sq ft, added second wash line, launched the Eco-Impact Calculator for customers.
50,000 Totes
Crossed the 50,000-tote mark. Team grew to 25+. Formalized partnerships with four Ohio recycling facilities.
ISO 14001 Pursuit
Began formal pursuit of ISO 14001 Environmental Management certification. Launched supplier sustainability requirements program.
Midwest Expansion
Extending pickup routes into Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia. Targeting 15,000+ totes per year throughput.
How We Operate: The Circular Economy Model
Traditional supply chains treat IBC totes as disposable. We treat them as assets that circulate through the economy, creating value at every stage. Here is how our closed-loop system works.
Collection
We pick up used, damaged, or surplus IBC totes from businesses across Ohio. Free pickup for loads of 10 or more. We accept totes in any condition — cracked bottles, bent cages, missing valves, you name it. Our fleet of four 26-foot box trucks and two flatbed trailers runs scheduled routes covering Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo, Akron, Youngstown, and all points between. We also accept walk-in drop-offs at our Columbus facility during business hours.
Assessment
Every tote undergoes a thorough inspection at our Columbus facility. We evaluate the HDPE bottle for cracks, UV damage, and chemical residue. The steel cage is checked for structural integrity. The pallet and valve are assessed separately. Our 17-point inspection checklist determines whether the tote is a candidate for direct reuse, reconditioning with minor repairs, component harvesting, or full material recycling. This assessment takes approximately 8-12 minutes per tote and is performed by trained quality inspectors.
Reconditioning
Totes that pass inspection enter our reconditioning line. They are triple-washed with high-pressure water, sanitized, fitted with new gaskets and valves as needed, and pressure-tested to ensure leak-free performance. Our food-grade wash line uses FDA-compliant cleaning agents and achieves sanitization levels that meet strict food-contact container requirements. Cages are straightened using custom jigs, and pallets are repaired or replaced. Each reconditioned tote receives a quality sticker with its inspection date and grade.
Resale or Recycling
Reconditioned totes are sold back into the market at a fraction of the cost of new. Totes that cannot be safely reused are disassembled, and each material — HDPE plastic, galvanized steel, wood — is sent to specialized Ohio-based recyclers. HDPE goes to pelletizers who produce recycled resin. Steel goes to scrap processors. Wood is repaired, chipped for mulch, or converted to biomass fuel. Every gram of material is accounted for. Our material recovery rate has been 100% since 2018.
Partners & Associations
Our zero-waste mission depends on a strong network of like-minded organizations. We are proud to collaborate with industry partners, recycling specialists, and community organizations across Ohio.
Ohio Recycling Coalition
Active member since 2019. We participate in policy discussions, share best practices, and contribute data to statewide recycling reports. The Coalition's annual conference is where we showcase our zero-waste model and connect with new recycling partners.
Columbus Chamber of Commerce
Founding member of the Chamber's Sustainability Roundtable, a working group of local businesses committed to reducing their environmental footprint. We host quarterly facility tours for member companies to demonstrate IBC tote circular economy practices.
Central Ohio HDPE Pelletizer
Our primary downstream partner for plastic recycling. They grind, wash, and extrude our HDPE bottles into recycled resin pellets used by manufacturers of drainage pipe, plastic lumber, and recycling bins throughout the Midwest.
Columbus Scrap Metal Processor
Steel cages that have reached end-of-life are sent to this local processor, where they are shredded, sorted, and shipped to minimills for re-smelting. Steel recycling uses 74% less energy than producing steel from virgin iron ore.
Regional Pallet Repair Network
We work with three Ohio-based pallet companies that repair and recirculate hardwood pallets. Pallets beyond repair are chipped for landscape mulch, animal bedding, or biomass fuel. No wood goes to waste.
Keep Columbus Beautiful
Community cleanup partner since 2020. Our team participates in annual waterway and roadside cleanup events, and we provide IBC totes for collection and water distribution during community environmental service days.
Who We Serve
Our customer base spans dozens of industries across Ohio. Any business that uses, generates, or handles IBC totes can benefit from our services. Here is a breakdown of the industries we serve most frequently.
Agriculture & Farming
28%Row crop operations, dairy farms, livestock operations, fertilizer distributors, and agricultural cooperatives across rural Ohio.
Chemical Manufacturing
22%Specialty chemical producers, industrial cleaning solution manufacturers, and chemical distributors who need reliable bulk containers.
Food & Beverage
18%Breweries, wineries, syrup producers, juice manufacturers, food ingredient companies, and commercial kitchens requiring food-grade totes.
Water Treatment
12%Municipal water treatment plants, private water utilities, and companies that handle water treatment chemicals in bulk.
Manufacturing & Industrial
11%Automotive parts manufacturers, metalworking shops using cutting fluids, plastics processors, and general industrial operations.
Other Industries
9%Construction, landscaping, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, janitorial supply, and a wide variety of other sectors.
Service Area
Our primary service area covers the entire state of Ohio, with scheduled pickup and delivery routes reaching every major metro area. We are actively expanding into neighboring states.
Ohio Metro Areas Served
Columbus
HQ — Same-day service
Cleveland
Weekly scheduled routes
Cincinnati
Weekly scheduled routes
Dayton
Weekly scheduled routes
Toledo
Bi-weekly routes
Akron
Weekly scheduled routes
Youngstown
Bi-weekly routes
Canton
Bi-weekly routes
Mansfield
Bi-weekly routes
Springfield
Weekly scheduled routes
Lima
On-demand pickup
Zanesville
On-demand pickup
Expanding Service Regions (2026)
Northern Kentucky
Monthly routes
Eastern Indiana
Monthly routes
Western Pennsylvania
On-demand
Northern West Virginia
On-demand
Free Pickup Policy
We offer free pickup for loads of 10 or more totes anywhere in Ohio. For loads under 10 totes, a nominal pickup fee applies based on distance from Columbus. Walk-in drop-offs at our Distribution Drive facility are always free, no minimum quantity required.
Environmental Certifications & Compliance
Our sustainability commitments are backed by operational certifications, regulatory compliance, and formal environmental management practices.
Zero-Waste-to-Landfill Facility
Verified 100% material diversion rate since 2018. Every component of every tote — HDPE, steel, wood, valves, gaskets — is either reused or sent to certified recyclers. Quarterly audits confirm compliance.
FDA-Compliant Wash Process
Our triple-wash reconditioning line meets FDA requirements for food-contact containers. Annual re-certification ensures our cleaning agents, water temperatures, and sanitization protocols remain compliant.
ISO 14001 Pursuit (In Progress)
We began formal pursuit of ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certification in 2025. We expect to achieve certification by late 2026, formalizing our environmental policies, objectives, and continuous improvement processes.
EPA Compliance
Full compliance with EPA regulations governing wastewater discharge, air quality, and hazardous material handling. Our closed-loop water reclamation system exceeds minimum discharge standards, and our facility undergoes annual environmental inspections.
DOT-Compliant Transportation
Our pickup and delivery fleet meets all Department of Transportation standards for hauling industrial containers. Proper containment, tie-down, load-balancing, and driver certification protocols are followed on every route.
OSHA Safety Compliance
Full OSHA compliance across all facility operations. Chemical handling protocols, PPE requirements, ventilation standards, and emergency response procedures are documented, trained, and audited. Zero lost-time incidents on record.
Community Involvement
We believe a company is only as strong as the community it serves. Our involvement in Central Ohio goes far beyond our core business operations.
Keep Columbus Beautiful Partnership
Since 2020, our team has participated in annual waterway cleanup and roadside litter removal events organized by Keep Columbus Beautiful. We provide IBC totes for collection stations and donate reconditioned containers for community garden water storage. In 2024, our team contributed over 80 volunteer hours to these events alone.
Columbus State Internship Program
We host two interns per year from Columbus State Community College's Environmental Science and Logistics Technology programs. Interns work alongside our quality inspectors and logistics coordinators, gaining hands-on experience with circular economy operations, waste stream analysis, and industrial container handling.
Local Business Sustainability Consulting
We provide free sustainability assessments to small and medium-sized Ohio businesses that want to reduce their IBC tote waste but are not sure where to start. Our team visits their facilities, evaluates their tote usage and disposal patterns, and develops a customized circular economy plan at no charge.
Youth Environmental Education
We host field trips for local middle and high school students, giving tours of our facility and explaining how circular economy principles work in practice. Students see firsthand how a tote is inspected, washed, reconditioned, and returned to service — making abstract environmental concepts concrete and tangible.
Charitable Tote Donations
We donate reconditioned IBC totes to community gardens, nonprofit farms, emergency water distribution organizations, and disaster relief efforts. In the past three years, we have donated over 150 totes to organizations including Mid-Ohio Food Collective, Franklin County Community Gardens, and local volunteer fire departments.
Chamber Sustainability Roundtable
As a founding member of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce Sustainability Roundtable, we bring IBC tote circular economy expertise to a working group of 40+ local businesses focused on reducing collective environmental impact. We host quarterly facility tours and share our operational data openly.
Our Team Culture
Behind every reconditioned tote is a team of people who genuinely care about doing things right. Our warehouse crew, logistics coordinators, quality inspectors, and customer service reps share a common mindset: waste is a problem we can solve, one tote at a time.
We invest in hands-on training so every team member understands not just how to process a tote, but why it matters. When you know that a single reconditioned tote prevents 30 pounds of plastic from reaching a landfill, the work takes on a different meaning. New hires complete a 40-hour onboarding program that covers safety protocols, quality inspection standards, environmental awareness, and our company values before they ever touch a tote on the production floor.
Safety is non-negotiable. We handle containers that have carried chemicals, food ingredients, and industrial liquids. Proper PPE, ventilation, and chemical handling protocols are followed on every shift. Our safety record speaks for itself — zero lost-time incidents since our founding. We conduct monthly safety drills, quarterly safety audits, and annual OSHA compliance reviews.
We promote from within whenever possible. Three of our current shift supervisors started as entry-level warehouse associates. We offer competitive wages, health insurance, paid time off, and a quarterly profit-sharing bonus tied to our production and sustainability metrics. When the company wins, the team wins.
“Working here changed how I think about waste. Every tote we save from the dump is a real, tangible win for the environment. That is not something you get at most jobs.”
— Warehouse Team Lead, Ohio IBC Totes
“I started on the wash line three years ago. Now I supervise the entire reconditioning floor. This company invests in its people and gives you a real path to grow.”
— Reconditioning Supervisor, Ohio IBC Totes
25+
Team Members
0
Safety Incidents
4.8/5
Employee Satisfaction
92%
Retention Rate
Learn More
Dive deeper into our story and what drives us every day.
Our History
From a small Columbus warehouse to Ohio's leading IBC tote recycler. Discover the milestones, the setbacks, and the breakthroughs that shaped who we are today.
Read Our StorySustainability Mission
Our environmental commitment goes far beyond recycling. Learn about our carbon reduction goals, zero-waste operations, and partnerships with Ohio recyclers.
Explore Our ImpactReady to Work with Ohio IBC Totes?
Whether you need to buy reconditioned totes, sell your surplus, or set up a recurring recycling program, our team is ready to help.