Buy Used Metal Drums in Milwaukee

Find Quality Used Metal Drums in Milwaukee - Save Money While Going Green

What you'll get from this guide: Learn where to buy reliable used metal drums in Milwaukee, save 40-60% compared to new drums, and help the environment by reusing materials.

Why Buy Used Metal Drums?

Used metal drums offer three main benefits:

• Save money: Used drums cost 40-60% less than new ones
• Help the environment: Reusing drums reduces waste and saves resources
• Get quality containers: Many used drums work just as well as new ones

Common drum sizes you'll find:

• 30-gallon drums (perfect for small businesses)
• 55-gallon drums (most popular size)
• 85-gallon drums (for larger operations)

Best Places to Buy Used Metal Drums

Industrial Supply Companies

These businesses sell used drums that have been checked for quality.

What they offer:

• Inspected drums that are safe to use
• Different sizes and styles
• Delivery to your location
• Warranties on some drums

Example: RePackify delivers used drums directly to Milwaukee businesses. They check each drum before selling it and offer both open-head and tight-head styles.

Best for: Businesses that need reliable drums with some guarantee of quality.

How to Check if a Used Drum is Good

Before buying any used drum, check these things:

Safety checks:

• Look for rust, especially around the bottom
• Check for dents that might cause leaks
• Make sure the lid closes properly
• Test that handles and rings work

Previous contents matter:

• Ask what was stored in the drum
• Avoid drums that held chemicals if you need food-safe storage
• Look for labels that show what was inside

Legal requirements:

• Some drums have UN certification numbers
• Food businesses need food-grade drums
• Chemical storage requires specific ratings

What Each Type of Drum Works Best For

30-gallon drums:

• Home rainwater collection
• Small batch mixing
• Waste collection for small shops

55-gallon drums:

• Most common size
• Good for medium businesses
• Works for most storage needs

85-gallon drums:

• Large operations
• Bulk liquid storage
• Industrial processes

Money-Saving Tips

Buy in bulk:

• 5-10 drums: Usually 10-15% discount
• 20+ drums: Can get 20-30% off
• Plan storage space first

Best times to buy:

• End of business quarters (companies clear inventory)
• After industrial cleanouts
• During slow business seasons

Budget planning:

• Used drums: $15-40 each
• Cleaning supplies: $5-10 per drum
• Delivery: $50-100 for local delivery

Red Flags to Avoid

Don't buy drums that have:

• Visible holes or cracks
• Strong chemical smells
• Heavy rust or corrosion
• Missing or broken closures
• Unknown previous contents

Getting Your Drums Home

Pickup options:

• Rent a truck for bulk purchases
• Use a trailer for 10+ drums
• Many suppliers offer delivery

Delivery costs:

• Local delivery: $50-100
• Usually included for large orders
• Compare delivery costs when shopping

Cleaning and Preparing Your Drums

Basic cleaning steps:

Rinse with water first

Use degreaser for oil residue

Scrub with brushes

Rinse thoroughly

Let dry completely

When to hire professionals:

• Drums held chemicals
• Need food-grade certification
• Required for business compliance

Start Your Search

Week 1: Call local recycling centers and ask about drum availability

Week 2: Check online marketplaces and compare prices

Week 3: Visit suppliers and inspect drums in person

Week 4: Make your purchase and arrange delivery

Milwaukee has good options for used metal drums. Start with the easiest sources (suppliers like RePackify) if you're new to buying used drums. As you get more experience, you can try recycling centers and salvage yards for better deals.

The key is matching your needs with the right source. Need guaranteed quality? Go with established suppliers. Want the best price? Try recycling centers. Looking for unusual sizes? Check salvage yards and online listings.

Remember: buying used drums saves money and helps the environment. With careful inspection and the right source, you'll get containers that work as well as new ones at a fraction of the cost.