IBC Containers

IBC containers used at household waste recycling centres allow the safe collection of liquid waste brought in by residents. They are a practical solution for substances that need a sealed, mobile tank that can be moved easily.

They are standard equipment at stations accepting oils and household chemicals. Such a station is a permanent part of every household waste recycling centre, whatever its size.

A station with an IBC container most often handles small quantities of used oil and household chemicals delivered in person by residents. Placing the tank on a hardstanding, separate area of the site makes it easier to control any spills while the contents are being poured in.

IBC containers, also known as IBC totes, are made of high-density polyethylene and mounted on a pallet that allows them to be moved with a forklift or pallet truck. Their standard capacity of 1000 litres works well as a collection point for used oils, household chemicals and other liquids that residents bring in smaller containers.

Many models have a metal protective cage around the plastic tank, which protects it from mechanical damage during handling and reduces the risk of leaks if it is accidentally struck by a forklift or other equipment moving around the site.

The location of the IBC container at the recycling centre should be planned on a hard, separate surface where any leak can be contained quickly. Some installations include an additional spill tray under the tank, which improves safety if the tank leaks or overflows while waste is being accepted from the next resident.

Labelling the IBC container according to the type of waste it accepts, with a different colour or description for engine oils and for household chemicals, helps site staff to classify incoming waste quickly. It also prevents incompatible substances from being mixed, which could lead to additional disposal costs.

Regular checks of the tank for leaks and of the drain valve, where fitted, help to identify faults early, before anything leaks onto the site. For sites with a high volume of deliveries, a rotation system with several tanks is worth considering, so that a full container can be replaced without interrupting operations.

The number of IBC containers on site should reflect the range of substances accepted. A separate tank for engine oils and another for household chemicals makes further segregation easier before the waste is handed over for specialist disposal, and removes the risk of cross-contamination between different liquid fractions.