Buy Used Plastic Drums in Allentown, PA

61 listings · Available Listings near Allentown, PA

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61 Plastic Drums listings within 500 miles of Allentown, PA. Prices range from $1.30 to $32.43 per unit.

Plastic Drums Prices in Pennsylvania

What buyers pay by condition

ConditionAvg. Price
New$19.38
Reconditioned$16.26
Used$14.80
Damaged (Salvage)$5.69

Plastic Drums price index for Pennsylvania

About Allentown

Allentown Supplier & Recycler of Used Plastic Drums

Find Cheap Used Plastic Drums in Allentown - Save Money on Quality Barrels

You'll save 80-90% compared to buying new drums and find exactly what you need for water storage, gardening, or business use right in your area.

Why Buy Used Plastic Drums?

You get the same quality container for a fraction of the price. A new 55-gallon drum costs $85-95. A used one costs just $5-7. That's real money saved.

Think about it: you need drums for rainwater collection, storing feed, or organizing your workshop. Why pay full price when used drums work just as well?

What You'll Find in Allentown

RePackify (Allentown, PA 18102)

  • 55-gallon food-grade closed-head drums

  • $6.00 each

  • Clean and ready to use

  • Small minimum orders

  • Order through RePackify website

Online marketplaces

  • 55 to 60-gallon drums

  • Starting around $6-8 each

  • Shipping arranged

  • Browse listings anytime

Understanding Drum Types

Start with the basics:

  • Closed-head drums have two small openings (called bungs)

  • Open-head drums have removable lids

  • Food-grade means safe for drinking water and food

Which one do you need?

  • Storing liquids? Choose closed-head (better seal)

  • Loading dry goods like grain? Choose open-head (easier access)

  • Drinking water storage? Choose food-grade only

What to Expect for Prices

Current Allentown pricing:

  • Average used drum: $5.67

  • RePackify current price: $6.00

  • Price range: $5-8 per drum

Why the price differences?

  • Condition (some need cleaning)

  • Quantity (buying more costs less per drum)

  • Grade (food-grade costs slightly more)

Smart Buying Tips

Before you buy:

Check the drum carefully

  • Look for cracks or deep scratches

  • Sniff inside for chemical odors

  • Ask what was stored before

Ask about cleaning

  • Some drums come "as-is" (you clean them)

  • Others are reconditioned (cleaned and tested)

  • Reconditioned costs more but saves you work

Know minimum orders

  • Some sellers require buying multiple drums

  • Others sell single drums

  • Ask before you visit

Plan your pickup

  • Most places offer free pickup

  • Delivery costs extra

  • Bring a truck or trailer

Real-World Example

Let's say you want to collect rainwater. You need three 55-gallon drums.

Buying new: 3 x $90 = $270

Buying used: 3 x $6 = $18

Your savings: $252

That's enough saved money to buy a good pump system for your rainwater setup.

Your Next Steps

Decide what size and type you need

Check RePackify's current stock online

Call other local suppliers for comparison

Visit in person to inspect drums

Arrange pickup or delivery

Remember: buying used drums is smart money management. You get what you need without overpaying for a brand-new container that does the same job.

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.