Save Money on Storage: Your Guide to Buying Used Metal Drums in Huntington, WV
Why read this? You'll learn how to save up to 70% on storage containers while helping the environment. This guide shows you exactly where to find quality used metal drums in Huntington and what to look for.
What You'll Get from Used Metal Drums
Used metal drums give you three main benefits:
- Save money: Pay $6-10 per drum instead of $30-50 for new ones
- Help the environment: Keep steel out of landfills
- Get proven durability: These drums already proved they can handle tough jobs
The Basics: What Are Used Metal Drums?
Think of metal drums as the workhorses of storage. They're steel containers that hold liquids, powders, and chemicals safely. Most are 55 gallons - about the size of a large trash can but much stronger.
You'll find two main types:
- Open-head drums: Have removable lids (good for thick liquids and solids)
- Closed-head drums: Have fixed tops with small openings (good for thin liquids)
Where to Find Used Drums in Huntington
RePackify - Your Best Online Option
RePackify connects you with drum suppliers nationwide, including Huntington. Here's why they work well:
- Quick quotes online
- Clean, inspected drums
- Delivery arranged for you
- Both single drums and bulk orders
Local Recycling Centers
Several metal recycling centers in Huntington sell used drums. These places:
- Get drums from local factories
- Clean and inspect them
- Often offer the lowest prices
- Let you see drums before buying
What to Expect
Most suppliers in Huntington offer:
- 30, 55, and 85-gallon sizes
- Both drum types (open and closed)
- Cleaning services
- Delivery within 50 miles
- Buy-back programs for your old drums
How to Choose Quality Used Drums
Quick Inspection Checklist
Before buying, check these things:
- No big dents: Small dings are okay, but avoid drums with deep dents
- No rust holes: Surface rust is fine, but holes mean leaks
- Tight seams: Run your finger along where metal pieces join
- Clean inside: Should smell neutral, not like chemicals
Ask These Questions
- What was stored in the drum before?
- Has it been cleaned professionally?
- What condition grade is it? (food-grade, industrial-grade, or salvage)
- Does it come with any guarantees?
Pricing: What You'll Pay
Expect to pay:
- Basic used drums: $6-10 each
- Cleaned drums: $10-15 each
- Food-grade refurbished: $15-25 each
- Bulk orders: 10-20% discount for 50+ drums
Money-saving tip: Buy in bulk or during slow seasons (winter) for better prices.
Getting Your Drums Delivered
Delivery Options
- Small orders: Van delivery for 1-10 drums
- Large orders: Truck delivery for 50+ drums
- Self-pickup: Often cheapest if you have a truck
Delivery Costs
- Local delivery (within 25 miles): $25-50
- Regional delivery (25-100 miles): $75-150
- You can often combine orders with other buyers to split costs
Common Uses in Huntington
Local businesses use these drums for:
- Manufacturing: Storing oils, chemicals, and raw materials
- Agriculture: Feed, seed, and liquid fertilizers
- Food processing: Ingredients and finished products (food-grade drums only)
- Automotive: Used oil collection and parts cleaning
- Construction: Water storage and waste collection
When NOT to Buy Used Drums
Skip used drums if you need to store:
- Food products (unless you buy food-grade refurbished drums)
- Hazardous chemicals requiring new containers by law
- Materials worth more than the drum itself
- Anything requiring a warranty
Environmental Benefits You're Creating
When you buy used drums, you:
- Keep 40-50 pounds of steel out of landfills
- Save the energy needed to make new steel (enough to power your house for 2 days)
- Reduce mining for new metal
- Support local recycling jobs
Getting Started: Your Next Steps
Decide what you need: How many drums? What size? What will you store?
Get quotes: Contact RePackify and 2-3 local suppliers
Compare offers: Look at drum condition, cleaning, delivery, and total cost
Start small: Buy a few drums first to test quality
Build relationships: Good suppliers offer better deals to repeat customers
Red Flags to Avoid
Don't buy from suppliers who:
- Won't let you inspect drums first
- Can't tell you what was stored before
- Offer prices much lower than others (probably damaged goods)
- Don't provide any cleaning services
- Have no references from other local businesses
Make Your Money Go Further
Bundle services: Many suppliers offer package deals including drums, cleaning, and delivery.
Time your purchase: Buy during slow periods (December-February) for better prices.
Consider buy-back programs: Some suppliers will buy your drums back when you're done.
Join with other buyers: Split large orders with other local businesses.
The Bottom Line
Used metal drums in Huntington offer excellent value for businesses needing reliable storage. You'll save money, help the environment, and get containers that have already proven their durability. Start with RePackify for convenience, then build relationships with local suppliers for ongoing needs.
The key is finding suppliers who clean and inspect their drums properly. Pay a little more for quality, and you'll save money in the long run through fewer replacements and problems.