Sustainability First
Every decision we make starts with one question: what is best for the planet? From the cleaning agents we use to the routes our trucks drive, environmental impact guides our choices.
Our Story
Built on a Mission to Eliminate IBC Waste
From a single warehouse in Louisville to a nationwide operation, IBC Recycle Services was founded on the belief that no IBC tank should ever end up in a landfill.
Our facility processes thousands of IBC containers every month
Where It All Began
A Problem Too Big to Ignore
Every year, millions of Intermediate Bulk Containers -- the 275- and 330-gallon plastic-and-steel totes used across every industry from food processing to chemicals -- reach the end of a single use cycle. The vast majority are crushed, shredded, and dumped in landfills. Each one represents roughly 150 pounds of high-density polyethylene and 100 pounds of galvanized steel that could easily serve a second, third, or even fourth life.
Our founders saw this waste firsthand while working in Louisville's industrial corridor. Truck after truck of perfectly repairable IBC totes heading straight to the crusher. They ran the numbers: cleaning and reconditioning a used tank costs a fraction of manufacturing a new one and produces a fraction of the carbon. The economics made sense. The environmental case was overwhelming.
In 2018, they pooled their savings, leased a warehouse at 2326 Ralph Ave, Louisville, KY 40216, and IBC Recycle Services was born. The mission was simple: give every IBC tank the longest possible life, and when it truly cannot be reused, recycle every last component.
2018
Founded
Louisville
Kentucky
Our Journey
Milestones That Define Us
From day one, every milestone has been measured not just in revenue but in tanks saved, waste eliminated, and communities served.
2017
The Spark
Our founders, working in the industrial supply chain, witnessed thousands of perfectly functional IBC totes being crushed and sent to landfills every month. They knew there had to be a better way.
2018
Doors Open on Ralph Ave
IBC Recycle Services officially opened its first facility at 2326 Ralph Ave, Louisville, KY 40216. Starting with a small warehouse and a big vision, we began buying, cleaning, and reselling used IBC tanks to local businesses.
2019
First 1,000 Tanks Saved
Within our first full year of operations, we diverted over 1,000 IBC totes from landfills. Word spread quickly as customers discovered our quality-inspected, affordable used containers.
2020
Reconditioning Line Launched
We invested in professional cleaning and reconditioning equipment, allowing us to restore even heavily used IBC tanks to like-new condition. This doubled our inventory capacity and opened up food-grade opportunities.
2021
Nationwide Shipping
Demand outgrew Kentucky. We partnered with eco-conscious freight carriers to offer carbon-neutral shipping across the contiguous United States, bringing sustainable container solutions to businesses coast to coast.
2022
Zero-Waste Certification
Our Louisville facility achieved zero-waste-to-landfill status. Every component of every IBC tank that comes through our doors is reused, recycled, or repurposed -- nothing goes to waste.
2023
10,000 Tanks Milestone
We celebrated saving our 10,000th IBC tank from the landfill. That milestone represents over 1.5 million pounds of plastic and steel given a second life.
2024
Upcycled Product Line
Launched our creative upcycled product line -- rain barrels, planters, composters, and more -- all crafted from IBC components that have reached the end of their industrial life but still have plenty to give.
2025
25,000 Tanks & Growing
We surpassed 25,000 IBC tanks diverted from landfills -- the equivalent of over 3.75 million pounds of plastic and steel given new purpose. Our team expanded to more than 30 members and we broke ground on a second reconditioning bay.
2026
Satellite Hub Network
Opened our first two satellite collection hubs in Nashville, TN and Indianapolis, IN to shorten pickup distances, reduce freight emissions, and serve the growing Midwest and Southeast customer base more efficiently.
What Drives Us
Our Core Values
These are not aspirational slogans on a wall. They are the non-negotiable principles that govern every hire, every process, and every customer interaction.
Radical Transparency
We publish our environmental impact numbers openly. We grade every tank honestly. We price fairly. No hidden fees, no greenwashing -- just straight talk and real results.
Community Impact
We hire locally, source locally, and reinvest locally. Our Louisville facility provides stable employment and we partner with community organizations for environmental education and cleanup events.
Relentless Quality
A used tank does not have to mean a compromised tank. We inspect, pressure-test, and certify every container that leaves our facility so customers get reliable performance at a fraction of the new price.
Our People
A Team That Cares
IBC Recycle Services is powered by a dedicated team of warehouse specialists, logistics coordinators, quality inspectors, and customer service professionals who share a common passion: keeping usable materials out of landfills.
Every team member, from the floor to the front office, participates in our ongoing sustainability training program. We believe that when people understand the environmental impact of their daily work, they bring purpose and precision to every task.
We are proud to be a Louisville employer that offers competitive wages, full benefits, and a workplace built on mutual respect. Our turnover rate is well below the industry average because people stay where they feel their work matters -- and here, it does.
25+
Team Members
92%
Employee Retention
40hrs
Annual Training per Employee
100%
Benefits Coverage
Looking Ahead
Growing the Green Economy
We started with a single warehouse and a pickup truck. Today, we operate a full-scale reconditioning facility, serve customers in all 48 contiguous states, and have kept tens of thousands of IBC tanks in productive use.
But we are far from done. Our roadmap includes expanding our reconditioning capacity, opening satellite collection hubs in key metropolitan areas, and deepening our upcycled product line so that even the components of a tank that can no longer hold liquid find meaningful second lives.
We are also investing in research partnerships to explore advanced cleaning technologies that use less water and fewer chemicals, making our already eco-friendly processes even greener.
Giving Back
Community Involvement
We believe a strong business should lift up the community around it. Here are some of the ways we give back in Louisville and beyond.
Ohio River Cleanup Program
Every spring, our team volunteers for the Ohio River Sweep, removing debris and improperly disposed containers from Louisville's waterways. Since 2020, we have collected over 12 tons of waste from local riverbanks.
School Sustainability Workshops
We partner with Jefferson County Public Schools to deliver hands-on recycling workshops. Students learn about the circular economy, tour our facility, and build their own rain barrel from upcycled IBC components.
Community Garden IBC Donations
We donate cleaned, food-grade IBC totes to community gardens and urban farms across Louisville for rainwater harvesting and composting systems, helping neighborhoods grow fresh food sustainably.
Louisville Green Business Alliance
We are a founding member of the Louisville Green Business Alliance, a coalition of local companies committed to reducing environmental impact through shared best practices, joint purchasing, and community advocacy.
Veteran Hiring Initiative
We actively recruit veterans transitioning to civilian careers. Our logistics and warehouse operations benefit from the discipline and teamwork veterans bring, and we offer mentorship programs to support their transition.
Habitat for Humanity Partnerships
We supply upcycled IBC rain barrels and composters to Habitat for Humanity builds in the Louisville metro area, ensuring every new home starts with a sustainable water management solution.
Recognition
Awards & Honors
We are proud to be recognized by industry organizations, environmental groups, and the Louisville business community for our commitment to sustainability and innovation.
2023
Kentucky Green Business of the Year
Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection
Recognized for zero-waste operations, closed-loop water reclamation, and measurable contribution to the circular economy in Kentucky.
2024
Louisville Business First -- Fast 50 Honoree
Louisville Business First
Named one of Louisville's 50 fastest-growing private companies based on revenue growth over three consecutive years.
2024
EPA WasteWise Partner Award
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Honored by the EPA for outstanding waste prevention, recycling, and source reduction practices in industrial container management.
2025
Sustainable Supply Chain Leadership Award
National Association of Container Distributors
Recognized for pioneering the reuse-first approach to IBC container lifecycle management and setting new industry benchmarks for material recovery.
Stronger Together
Strategic Partnerships
We partner with organizations that share our commitment to environmental responsibility, from freight carriers to research institutions.
EPA SmartWay
All our freight partners operate SmartWay-certified fleets, ensuring the most fuel-efficient transport for every shipment.
University of Louisville
We collaborate with UofL's environmental engineering department on research into advanced HDPE cleaning and decontamination technologies.
Kentucky Recycling Association
Active membership that connects us with recycling infrastructure, policy advocacy, and industry benchmarking across the Commonwealth.
National IBC Alliance
We co-founded this industry group to promote best practices in IBC reconditioning, standardize quality grading, and advocate for circular economy legislation.
Growing Team
Departments That Power Our Mission
From a two-person startup to a multidisciplinary organization, every department plays a vital role in keeping IBC tanks out of landfills.
Warehouse & Reconditioning
14Our largest team handles receiving, inspection, cleaning, reconditioning, and quality control for every tank that enters the facility. They operate the wash line, granulator, and cage straightening equipment.
Logistics & Fleet
5Routes every pickup and delivery for maximum efficiency. Manages carrier relationships, freight bidding, and ensures on-time performance across all 48 contiguous states.
Sales & Customer Service
4Handles inbound quote requests, outbound customer outreach, order management, and after-sale support. This team ensures every customer gets personalized guidance.
Quality & Compliance
3Manages our grading system, UN marking verification, hazmat documentation, and FDA chain-of-custody tracking. Every tank that ships is signed off by this team.
Environmental & Safety
2Monitors our zero-waste metrics, water reclamation system, wastewater quality, and workplace safety programs. Leads sustainability training for all employees.
Administration & Finance
3Keeps the business engine running -- accounting, HR, benefits administration, vendor management, and strategic planning for continued growth.
31
Total Team Members
8
Years in Business
12
Average Tenure (months)
4
Internal Promotions in 2025
Our Pledge
The Road to 50,000 Tanks
Our next milestone is ambitious but achievable: 50,000 IBC tanks diverted from landfills by the end of 2028. To get there, we are investing in three key areas.
Expanded capacity. Our second reconditioning bay, currently under construction, will double our throughput from 200 to 400 tanks per week. We are also upgrading our wash system to a fully automated triple-rinse line that uses 40% less water per tank.
Regional hubs. Our Nashville and Indianapolis satellite hubs allow us to collect and stage tanks closer to where they are generated, cutting average pickup distances by 35% and reducing per-tank freight emissions proportionally.
Advanced recycling. We are piloting a chemical recycling partnership that can convert heavily contaminated HDPE -- material we currently send to mechanical reclaimers -- into food-grade virgin-equivalent resin. If successful, this closes the last gap in our material loop.
2028 Targets
Tanks Diverted from Landfill50,000
Material Recovery Rate98%
Water Reclamation Rate95%
Satellite Collection Hubs5
Scope 1+2 Carbon Neutral100%
Ready to Be Part of Our Story?
Whether you need affordable IBC containers, want to sell your used totes, or are looking for a responsible recycling partner, we would love to work with you.