$15.57/ plastic drum at pickup
Buy Used Plastic Drums in Birmingham, AL
40 listings · Available Listings near Birmingham, AL
- $14.27/ plastic drum at pickup
- Used 50 Gallon (Non-Food Grade) Plastic Drums - Tuscaloosa AL 35405
Used
Tuscaloosa, AL · 53 mi away
Min. order 70
$18.16/ plastic drum at pickup - $19.46/ plastic drum at pickup
- $13.34/ plastic drum at pickup
- $13.86/ plastic drum at pickup
- 55 Gallon Non-Food Grade Plastic Drums - Nashville TN 37211
New
Nashville, TN · 182 mi away
Min. order 208
$15.57/ plastic drum at pickup - $15.57/ plastic drum at pickup
- $17.35/ plastic drum at pickup
- $15.57/ plastic drum at pickup
- $13.31/ plastic drum at pickup
- $15.57/ plastic drum at pickup
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40 Plastic Drums listings within 500 miles of Birmingham, AL. Prices range from $6.49 to $27.24 per unit.
Plastic Drums Prices in Alabama
What buyers pay by condition
| Condition | Avg. Price |
|---|---|
| New | $18.10 |
| Reconditioned | $15.01 |
| Used | $14.27 |
| Damaged (Salvage) | $5.25 |
About Birmingham
Birmingham Supplier & Recycler of Used Plastic Drums
Save Money on Storage: How to Buy Quality Used Plastic Drums in Birmingham
What you'll get from this guide: Learn how to find reliable used plastic drums in Birmingham for around $9 each, understand what to look for when buying, and avoid common mistakes that could cost you money.
Why Buy Used Plastic Drums?
You need storage containers for your business, but new drums cost too much. Used plastic drums solve this problem. They work just as well as new ones but cost 60-70% less.
Here's what you save:
New 55-gallon drum: $25-30
Used 55-gallon drum: $9-16
Your savings: $16-21 per drum
If you need 20 drums, you save $320-420. That's real money back in your pocket.
Where to Find Used Drums in Birmingham
RePackify is the main online marketplace for used drums in Birmingham. They connect you with local sellers who have cleaned, tested drums ready to use.
What RePackify offers:
55-gallon plastic drums for $9 each (Birmingham average)
Fast quotes from local sellers
Pickup or delivery options
Different condition levels to match your budget
Types of Drums You'll Find
Most used drums are made from HDPE plastic. This material resists chemicals and lasts for years.
You'll see two main types:
Closed drums have a fixed top with small openings. Good for liquids like water, oils, or chemicals.
Open-top drums have removable lids. Better for powders, granules, or anything you need to scoop out.
Standard 55-gallon drum size:
Height: 35 inches
Width: 23 inches across
Weight: 22 pounds empty
What Different Grades Mean
Food-grade drums ($16 each) - Safe for storing food or water. These drums are triple-cleaned and meet FDA rules.
Industrial drums ($9-12 each) - Good for non-food items like parts, tools, or garden supplies.
As-is drums ($5-8 each) - Sold without cleaning. Fine for storage that doesn't need to be spotless.
How to Pick Good Drums
Walk around the drum and check these spots:
Top rim - Should be smooth, not cracked
Sides - Look for holes, deep scratches, or soft spots
Bottom - Check for cracks where the drum sits
Lid fit - Should close tight without gaps
Red flags to avoid:
Strong chemical smells that won't wash out
Cracks anywhere on the drum
Lids that don't seal properly
Drums that stored toxic materials
What to Ask Before You Buy
What was stored in this drum before?
Has it been cleaned? How many times?
Is it food-grade certified?
Can I inspect it before buying?
Do you offer bulk discounts for 10+ drums?
Real Examples of Good Uses
Small manufacturer bought 15 used drums for $135 to store plastic pellets. New drums would have cost $375. Saved $240.
Restaurant owner bought 5 food-grade drums for $80 to store cooking oil. They've lasted 3 years with no problems.
Garage owner bought 8 as-is drums for $40 to organize car parts. Perfect for this use since food safety didn't matter.
Getting the Best Deal
Buy in bulk - Most sellers give discounts for 10+ drums Pick up yourself - Saves delivery fees Buy during slow months - Winter often has better prices Check condition carefully - A $5 drum that leaks costs you more than a $12 drum that doesn't
Bottom Line
Used plastic drums give you professional storage at a fraction of the cost. Focus on RePackify for the best selection in Birmingham. Match the drum grade to your needs - don't pay extra for food-grade if you're storing car parts.
Start with a small order to test quality, then buy more once you find a good supplier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are standard plastic drum dimensions?
A 55-gallon HDPE drum is about 23.3" in diameter and 34.75" tall, slightly larger than the 22.5" x 33.5" steel drum, and weighs 20 to 28 lbs empty, roughly half a steel drum. A 30-gallon drum is 19" x 29" (13 to 16 lbs) and a 15-gallon drum 15" x 26" (8 to 10 lbs).
Are plastic drums chemical resistant?
HDPE resists most acids, bases, and salts and does not rust, which is why it is preferred over steel for corrosive liquids. It is not suitable for strong solvents or contents held continuously above about 120°F, where steel is the right drum, and tight-head HDPE drums are UV-stabilized for outdoor storage.
What is the difference between reconditioned and used plastic drums?
A reconditioned drum has been cleaned and inspected and can hold product again when the new contents are compatible with the prior fill; hazmat use still needs a valid UN marking from a DOT-certified reconditioner. A used drum is sold as-is, with prior contents disclosed when the seller knows them, and suits compatible reuse or feedstock for a reconditioner. Damaged drums go to HDPE recycling; grade says nothing about head type, so check the 2" bung tight-head or bolt-ring open-head separately.
Can a used plastic drum hold drinking water?
Only if it was food-grade to begin with, has been reconditioned, and carries the reconditioner's potable-water certification; a food-contact certificate alone does not approve drinking water. HDPE absorbs a fraction of what it holds, so a drum that held chemicals should not be reused for food or water regardless of cleaning; look for a 55-gallon drum whose listed prior contents were food or beverage.
How many plastic drums fit on a truck?
The same floor layout as steel: 104 empty drums single-tier on 26 drum pallets, 208 double-stacked, 200 or more loose. Filled with water a plastic drum is about 480 lbs, so roughly 90 reach the 45,000-lb payload, a few more than steel.