Buy Used Metal Drums in New York

How to Buy Quality Used Metal Drums in New York Without Breaking Your Budget

What you'll gain: Save 40-60% on steel drums while getting reliable containers that meet safety standards. This guide shows you exactly where to find them and what to look for.

Why Used Metal Drums Make Sense

You need steel drums but don't want to pay full price for new ones. Used drums work just as well for most jobs and cost much less. The key is knowing where to look and what questions to ask.

Your Best Options in New York

National Drum Recyclers

These companies buy used drums, clean them up, and resell them across the country.

What they offer:

• Free pickup of your empty drums (they pay you a rebate)
• Professionally cleaned and tested drums
• Safety certifications included
• Usually $60-90 per 55-gallon drum

How it works: They pick up drums from businesses, test them with ultrasonic equipment, blast away old paint, and repaint them. If a drum fails testing, they recycle the steel instead of selling a bad drum.

Example: A food processing plant sells their empty drums to a recycler, who cleans them and sells them to a paint manufacturer.

Regional Distributors

Local companies that specialize in industrial containers.

What they offer:

• Mix of new, reconditioned, and used drums
• Custom options like food-grade lining
• Personal service and local pickup
• Quote-based pricing with volume discounts

How to find them: Search for "industrial container distributor" plus your city name. Call and ask about their used drum inventory.

Wholesale Recon Specialists

Companies that focus on bulk sales of reconditioned drums.

Typical pricing for 55-gallon steel drums:

• Basic reconditioned drum: $52 each
• Epoxy-lined open-head drum: $73 each
• Tight-head steel drum: $86 each
• Simple trash drum (no lid): $39 each

Best for: Large orders where you need many identical drums

RePackify Local Branches

RePackify has locations in Briarcliff Manor, Dobbs Ferry, and Bedford Hills.

What they offer:

• Custom quotes based on your needs
• Drums from 30-85 gallons
• Both open-head and tight-head options
• Additional services like cleaning and buy-back programs

How to use them: Call with your specific requirements. They'll match you with available inventory and provide a quote.

Online Marketplaces

Industrial classified sites where businesses sell their used drums.

Best for: Small orders or hard-to-find sizes What to expect: Prices vary widely, shipping arranged by seller Caution: Less quality control than professional dealers

What to Check Before You Buy

Start with the basics:

• Does the drum hold liquid without leaking?
• Are there dents that could cause problems?
• Is the closure mechanism working properly?

Then check certifications:

• UN/DOT markings for shipping hazardous materials
• EPA compliance if required for your use
• Food-grade certification if storing food products

Consider your specific needs:

• Open-head drums: Removable lid for easy access (good for thick materials)
• Tight-head drums: Small openings only (good for liquids)
• Internal coatings: Epoxy or plastic lining protects contents and drum

Think about logistics:

• Can they deliver to your location?
• Do they offer pickup services?
• Are there minimum order requirements?
• Will they buy back your drums when empty?

How to Get the Best Deal

Start small: Order a few drums first to test quality and service.

Ask about volume discounts: Most dealers offer better prices for larger orders.

Consider your timing: End of fiscal year or slow seasons may offer better prices.

Factor in total cost: Include delivery, pickup services, and any rebates for returning drums.

Making Your Decision

For most people, the best approach is:

Small orders (1-10 drums): Try RePackify or online marketplaces for convenience

Medium orders (10-50 drums): Contact regional RePackify distributors for quotes

Large orders (50+ drums): Get quotes from RePackify wholesale specialists

Remember: The cheapest drum isn't always the best value. Factor in quality, service, and long-term relationship when making your choice.

Next step: Start with one supplier, test their quality and service, then expand your buying as needed.