Buy Used IBC Totes in South Carolina

Save Money on Storage: Where to Buy Used IBC Totes in South Carolina

Your benefit: You can cut storage costs by 50-90% when you buy used IBC totes instead of new ones. South Carolina has many suppliers offering containers from $10 to $100, compared to $150-200 for new totes.

What You Need to Know First

IBC totes are large plastic containers that hold 275 or 330 gallons of liquid. Think of them as giant milk jugs in metal cages. Businesses use them to store everything from water to chemicals to food ingredients.

You have four main condition options:

• Dirty totes: $10-20 each (cheapest, needs cleaning)
• Rinsed totes: $30-70 each (cleaned, safe for food)
• Rebuilt totes: $50-100 each (like new performance)
• New totes: $150-200 each (most expensive)

Where to Find Them in South Carolina

Local recyclers serve these cities: Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Spartanburg, Rock Hill, Myrtle Beach, Florence, Sumter

RePackify connects buyers and sellers across South Carolina. You can compare prices and find exactly what you need through their platform.

Local suppliers offer:

• Free pickup of your empty totes
• Bulk discounts (buy 30+ totes and save more)
• Delivery across the state
• Cash payment if you're selling ($15-100 per tote)

Real Example: What You Can Expect

A Summerville supplier recently offered 120 totes at $10 each. That's $1,200 for containers that would cost $18,000 new. The savings paid for a new forklift.

Another example: A Columbia food company bought 50 rinsed food-grade totes at $40 each instead of paying $175 each for new ones. They saved $6,750.

How to Choose the Right Condition

For water storage: Rinsed totes work fine ($30-70 each)

For chemicals: Check the UN markings on the tote. This tells you what was stored before. Never mix incompatible chemicals.

For food products: Only buy food-grade, triple-rinsed totes. Ask for certification.

For non-critical uses (like rainwater collection): Dirty totes save the most money ($10-20 each)

Step-by-Step Buying Process

Decide your quantity: Most suppliers want orders of 30+ totes

Pick your condition: Match it to your intended use

Get quotes: Contact 2-3 suppliers to compare prices

Inspect before buying: Look for cracks, working valves, intact cages

Arrange delivery: Factor in $50-150 delivery costs for small orders

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don't buy the wrong size: 275-gallon totes are most common. 330-gallon totes cost more and are harder to move.

Don't skip the inspection: A $40 tote with a cracked cage becomes useless fast.

Don't ignore previous contents: Some chemicals leave permanent residue. Ask what was stored before.

Advanced Considerations

Bulk discounts kick in at different levels:

• 30 totes: 10% discount typical
• 60 totes (truckload): 20% discount
• 100+ totes: negotiate custom pricing

Hazmat totes require special handling: If properly empty and labeled, most recyclers accept them free. But verify this first.

Seasonal pricing varies: Spring (planting season) sees higher demand and prices. Winter offers better deals.

Getting the Best Deal

Call suppliers directly rather than just browsing websites. Many offer unpublished discounts for serious buyers.

Ask about "package deals" if you need different conditions. One supplier might discount mixed orders.

Consider pickup instead of delivery. Bringing a truck can save $100-200 on smaller orders.

Used IBC totes offer massive savings for South Carolina businesses. Start with your local recyclers, compare conditions carefully, and always inspect before buying. The money you save can fund other business improvements.