$15.57/ plastic drum at pickup
Buy Used Plastic Drums in Boston, MA
43 listings · Available Listings near Boston, MA
- $14.92/ plastic drum at pickup
- Used 55 Gallon Food Grade Plastic Drums - Worcester MA 01602
Used
Worcester, MA · 39 mi away
Min. order 208
$20.76/ plastic drum at pickup - Food Grade 55 Gallon Plastic Drums - Providence RI 02905
New
Providence, RI · 42 mi away
Min. order 208
$18.63/ plastic drum at pickup - $18.16/ plastic drum at pickup
- $14.92/ plastic drum at pickup
- $18.16/ plastic drum at pickup
- $18.16/ plastic drum at pickup
- $14.27/ plastic drum at pickup
- $12.98/ plastic drum at pickup
- Used 55-Gallon Plastic Drums - Gilford, NH 03249
Used · 36x23x23in
Gilford, NH · 86 mi away
Min. order 100
$6.49/ plastic drum at pickup - Rinsed 55 Gallon Plastic Drums - Waterbury CT 06704
Reconditioned
Waterbury, CT · 116 mi away
Min. order 200
$18.16/ plastic drum at pickup
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43 Plastic Drums listings within 500 miles of Boston, MA. Prices range from $3.90 to $32.43 per unit.
Plastic Drums Prices in Massachusetts
What buyers pay by condition
| Condition | Avg. Price |
|---|---|
| New | $20.89 |
| Reconditioned | $18.05 |
| Used | $17.16 |
| Damaged (Salvage) | $6.32 |
About Boston
Boston Supplier & Recycler of Used Plastic Drums
Save Money and Help the Environment: Your Guide to Buying Used Plastic Drums in Boston
What you'll get from this guide: You'll learn how to find quality used plastic drums in Boston for 30-70% less than new ones, while helping the environment and getting containers that work just as well.
Why Choose Used Plastic Drums?
You get three main benefits:
Save money: Used drums cost $20-$70 instead of $60-$200 for new ones
Help the environment: Keep plastic out of landfills and reduce waste
Get the same quality: Used drums work just as well as new ones when properly cleaned
What Types of Drums Can You Find?
Closed-head drums: These have sealed tops with small openings. Use them for liquids like:
Motor oil
Cleaning chemicals
Liquid fertilizer
Open-top drums: These have removable lids. Perfect for:
Storing grain or feed
Collecting rainwater
Organizing tools in your garage
Food-grade drums: Safe for storing food and drinks like:
Drinking water
Cooking oil
Bulk rice or flour
Industrial-grade drums: For non-food uses like:
Car wash soap
Garden chemicals
Industrial lubricants
Common Sizes You'll Find
30-gallon drums: Good for home use, easier to move when full
55-gallon drums: Most common size, holds about 7 bags of concrete mix
15-gallon drums: Smaller option, perfect for apartment dwellers
Where to Find Used Drums in Boston
RePackify (Boston, 02115)
Has 150 drums in stock
Offers 55-gallon non-food-grade drums
Provides secure transactions
Offers local pickup or shipping
How Much Will You Pay?
Single drums: $20-$70 each depending on condition Small orders (8+ drums): $18-$25 each Large orders (48+ drums): As low as $18-$20 each
Example: If you need 10 drums for a small business, expect to pay around $200-$250 total instead of $600-$2,000 for new ones.
Step-by-Step Buying Process
Step 1: Figure out what you need
How many drums? (Start with your immediate needs)
What size? (55-gallon is most common and versatile)
Food-grade or industrial? (Food-grade costs 10-20% more)
Step 2: Choose your supplier
For 1-10 drums: Contact RePackify for quotes
For 10+ drums: Compare multiple suppliers
For 50+ drums: Contact industrial recyclers
Step 3: Inspect before buying
Check for cracks or damage
Make sure drums are clean
Look for the recycling number "2" on food-grade drums
Step 4: Arrange pickup or delivery
Local pickup saves money
Delivery costs vary by distance
Some suppliers include freight in their quotes
Step 5: Proper storage and maintenance
Keep drums off the ground (use pallets or blocks)
Clean with mild soap for general use
Use diluted bleach solution for food-grade drums
Real-World Examples
Home rainwater collection: One Boston homeowner bought 4 used 55-gallon drums for $120 total. New drums would have cost $400. The drums collect enough water for his entire vegetable garden.
Small restaurant: A Cambridge restaurant bought 12 used food-grade drums for $300 to store cooking oil. New drums would have cost $900. They've been using them for two years with no problems.
Auto shop: A Somerville auto shop bought 20 industrial drums for $400 to store used oil and cleaning supplies. New drums would have cost $1,200.
What to Watch Out For
Avoid damaged drums: Small dents are okay, but cracks mean leaks
Check the cleaning: Make sure drums are properly cleaned, especially for food use
Know your local rules: Some areas have restrictions on storing certain materials
Get the right type: Don't use industrial drums for food storage
Environmental Impact
When you buy used drums, you're helping in real ways:
Reduce landfill waste: Each drum you reuse is one less in a landfill
Lower manufacturing demand: Less need for new plastic production
Support local recycling: Keep money in your community
Create green jobs: Support businesses that focus on reuse and recycling
Getting Started
Ready to buy? Here's what to do right now:
Measure your space to see what size drums will fit
Decide how many you need (you can always buy more later)
Contact RePackify or other local suppliers for current availability
Visit to inspect drums before buying
Arrange pickup or delivery
Used plastic drums give you the same storage capacity as new ones for much less money. You'll help the environment while getting containers that last for years. Start with a few drums to test them out, then buy more as you need them.
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.