Off-grid solar hot-water pre-heat tank, built from a recycled IBC tote
A reclaimed food-grade HDPE bladder provides large, durable, chemically-resistant capacity at a fraction of a new purpose-built container, while diverting a robust vessel from the waste stream and avoiding the embodied carbon of virgin plastic.
Recycled IBC
Reuses a durable, standardised container. Diverts it from scrap and avoids new-material carbon.
a purpose-built poly tank or container
A purpose-built product — bought new, moulded or fabricated from virgin material.
Permaculture Mag — outdoor shower/hot water upcycle →
A real-world write-up with photos of this reuse in practice.
A reclaimed food-grade HDPE bladder provides large, durable, chemically-resistant capacity at a fraction of a new purpose-built container, while diverting a robust vessel from the waste stream and avoiding the embodied carbon of virgin plastic. That advantage is real for this job specifically — not a blanket claim that a tote is best for everything.
Suitability & safety
This is a water- or contact-adjacent use. Use only a documented previous-food-use bladder that has been properly cleaned; never use a non-food or unknown-history tote for it.
For any water-holding reuse, shield the bladder from sunlight to prevent algae, fit food-safe fittings, and rinse thoroughly before first use.