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Buy Used Plastic Drums in Milwaukee, WI

43 listings · Available Listings near Milwaukee, WI

43 Plastic Drums listings within 500 miles of Milwaukee, WI. Prices range from $1.20 to $30.00 per unit.

About Milwaukee

Milwaukee Supplier & Recycler of Used Plastic Drums

Save Money on Used Plastic Drums in Milwaukee - Your Complete Buying Guide

What you'll get from this guide: Learn where to find quality used plastic drums in Milwaukee, what to pay (around $11.67 per drum), and how to choose the right supplier for your needs.

Why Buy Used Plastic Drums?

You can save significant money compared to new drums while helping the environment. Used 55-gallon HDPE drums work great for:

  • Storing liquids and powders

  • Food and beverage applications

  • Chemical storage

  • General industrial use

Where to Find Used Drums in Milwaukee

Local Suppliers

RePackify

  • Serves Milwaukee metropolitan area (ZIP codes 53201-53203)

  • Offers 55-gallon open-head and tight-head HDPE drums

  • Food-grade options available

  • Average price: $11.67 per drum

  • Dock hours: Monday-Friday, 6 AM to 4 PM

Types of Drums Available

Basic Drum Styles

  • Open-head drums: Have removable lids. Good for solids, powders, or anything you need easy access to

  • Tight-head drums: Have fixed tops with small openings. Perfect for liquids

Quality Levels

  • Food-grade: Safe for food, drinks, medicine, and cosmetics

  • Industrial-grade: Good for chemicals and general storage

  • Recycled plastic: Cheaper and eco-friendly

  • Virgin plastic: Stronger and lasts longer

What You Should Expect to Pay

  • Average price: $11.67 per used 55-gallon drum

  • Bulk discounts: Many suppliers offer lower prices for 97+ drums

  • Condition affects price: Better condition costs more

  • Food-grade costs more: Usually 10-20% higher than industrial grade

How to Choose the Right Drums

Check These Things First

What will you store? Make sure the plastic can handle your materials

Do you need food-grade? Required for food, drinks, and medicine

What condition do you need? Inspect for cracks, warping, or strange smells

How many do you need? Bulk orders often cost less per drum

Ask These Questions

  • Has the drum been cleaned?

  • What was stored in it before?

  • Does it meet safety standards?

  • Can you return it if there's a problem?

Additional Services You Might Need

Many suppliers also offer:

  • Drum cleaning and reconditioning

  • Delivery to your location

  • Disposal of old drums

  • Custom labeling

  • Testing for leaks or damage

Making Your Purchase

Before You Buy

Visit the supplier to see the drums in person

Check delivery options and costs

Confirm minimum order amounts

Ask about return policies

Environmental Benefits

Buying used drums helps reduce waste and supports recycling. Many drums can be used multiple times before recycling.

Bottom line: Milwaukee has good options for used plastic drums. RePackify and other local suppliers offer competitive prices around $11.67 per drum. Focus on finding drums that match your storage needs and budget while supporting local businesses and the environment.

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.