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Buy Used Plastic Drums in Pittsburgh, PA

70 listings · Available Listings near Pittsburgh, PA

70 Plastic Drums listings within 500 miles of Pittsburgh, PA. Prices range from $1.20 to $30.00 per unit.

About Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Supplier & Recycler of Used Plastic Drums

Save Money on Quality Used Plastic Drums in Pittsburgh

What you'll gain: Find reliable 55-gallon plastic drums at 40-60% below new prices, with local suppliers who deliver to your door in Pittsburgh.

Why Buy Used Plastic Drums

You save significant money compared to new drums. A new 55-gallon drum costs $80-120. Used drums cost $35-84 each. That's real savings for your business.

Used drums work just as well as new ones when properly cleaned and inspected. Many companies use them for:

  • Water storage

  • Chemical transport

  • Food ingredients

  • Industrial materials

What Types Are Available

Open-head drums have removable lids. Think of them like giant buckets. Use these when you need to put solid materials inside or clean them easily.

Tight-head drums are sealed with small openings on top. Picture a large bottle. These work best for liquids.

Food-grade drums are triple-washed and safe for anything you might eat or drink.

Industrial-grade drums may have chemical residues. Only use these for non-food materials.

Where to Find Them in Pittsburgh

RePackify offers used 55-gallon plastic drums in Pittsburgh area. They provide:

  • Food-grade and industrial options

  • Full and partial truckload quantities

  • Custom quotes based on your needs

Local industrial suppliers also carry used drums. You can find them through:

  • Online industrial directories

  • Local classified ads

  • Word-of-mouth from other businesses

How Much They Cost

Prices depend on several factors:

  • Single drum: $65-84

  • Bulk orders (48+ drums): $35-40 each

  • Condition affects price

  • Food-grade costs more than industrial-grade

Example: A restaurant buying 10 drums for oil storage might pay $50 each. A manufacturer buying 100 drums for chemical transport might pay $38 each.

How to Buy Smart

Step 1: Know what you need

  • How many drums?

  • What will you store?

  • Open-head or tight-head?

  • Food-grade required?

Step 2: Inspect before buying

  • Check for cracks

  • Look at the gasket (rubber seal)

  • Verify UN/DOT ratings if shipping hazardous materials

  • Smell inside for chemical odors

Step 3: Compare quotes

  • Get prices from multiple suppliers

  • Ask about delivery costs

  • Confirm minimum order quantities

Step 4: Arrange delivery

  • Most suppliers deliver in Pennsylvania

  • Partial truckloads available for smaller orders

  • Schedule delivery when you can inspect drums

Red Flags to Avoid

Don't buy drums that:

  • Have visible cracks or holes

  • Smell strongly of chemicals (unless that's what you need)

  • Lack proper UN/DOT markings

  • Come without any cleaning documentation

Making Your Purchase

Start with a simple phone call or email. Tell the supplier:

  • How many drums you need

  • What you'll store in them

  • Your delivery location

  • Your timeline

Most suppliers respond within 24 hours with pricing and availability.

Remember: buying used drums is common in industry. You're not getting inferior products. You're getting proven containers at smart prices.

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.