Plastic Drum Specifications

Complete HDPE properties, food grade certifications, and UV resistance specifications for all standard plastic drum sizes. Essential information for buying and selling used HDPE drums.

HDPE PropertiesFood GradeUV Resistance

Standard Plastic Drum Specifications

Size	Dimensions	Empty Weight	Wall Thickness	UN Rating	Max Gross Weight	Market Share
55 Gallon (208L) 80% of plastic drum market	22.5" diameter × 34.5" height	9-12 lbs (empty)	0.090" - 0.125"	UN1H1/Y1.9/100	507 lbs	80% of plastic drum market
30 Gallon (114L) 15% of plastic drum market	18.25" diameter × 28.5" height	6-8 lbs (empty)	0.080" - 0.110"	UN1H1/Y1.9/100	330 lbs	15% of plastic drum market
15 Gallon (57L) 4% of plastic drum market	14" diameter × 22.5" height	3-4 lbs (empty)	0.070" - 0.090"	UN1H1/Y1.9/100	180 lbs	4% of plastic drum market
5 Gallon (19L) 1% of plastic drum market	11" diameter × 14.5" height	1.5-2 lbs (empty)	0.060" - 0.080"	UN1H1/Y1.9/100	65 lbs	1% of plastic drum market

HDPE Material Properties

Chemical Resistance

Excellent resistance to acids, bases, and solvents

✓ Advantages

+Resistant to most acids (except oxidizing acids)
+Excellent alkali resistance
+Good resistance to alcohols and oils
+Inert to most aqueous solutions

⚠ Limitations

-Not suitable for strong oxidizing acids
-Limited resistance to aromatic hydrocarbons
-Can be affected by some chlorinated solvents
-Stress cracking with some detergents

Temperature Range

Operating temperature limitations and considerations

✓ Advantages

+Service temperature: -40°F to +180°F
+Good low-temperature impact resistance
+Maintains flexibility in cold conditions
+No brittle failure at low temperatures

⚠ Limitations

-Softens at elevated temperatures
-Thermal expansion considerations
-UV degradation without stabilizers
-Creep under sustained loads at high temps

Food Grade Compliance

FDA and food contact regulations

✓ Advantages

+FDA CFR Title 21 approved resins
+No taste or odor transfer
+Easy to clean and sanitize
+NSF certification available

⚠ Limitations

-Must use virgin resin for food contact
-Limited recycled content for food grade
-Requires proper cleaning validation
-Some additives not food approved

Food Grade Certifications

FDA CFR Title 21

US Food and Drug Administration regulations

Requirements

•Virgin resin from approved suppliers
•No recycled content for food contact
•Migration testing for additives
•Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)

Testing: Migration testing to food simulants

Validity: Continuous compliance required

Cost: $500-1,500 per resin lot

NSF International

National Sanitation Foundation certification

Requirements

•Material composition verification
•Toxicology evaluation
•Product testing and evaluation
•Manufacturing facility audit

Testing: Comprehensive material testing

Validity: Annual surveillance required

Cost: $2,000-5,000 initial + annual fees

EU Food Contact

European Union food contact regulations

Requirements

•Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 compliance
•Positive list substances only
•Migration limit compliance
•Declaration of compliance

Testing: Migration testing per EU standards

Validity: Updated with regulation changes

Cost: $1,000-3,000 per material

USDA Organic

United States Department of Agriculture organic standards

Requirements

•Approved for organic food contact
•No prohibited substances
•Cleaning agent restrictions
•Organic handling compliance

Testing: Residue testing for prohibited substances

Validity: Annual certification renewal

Cost: $300-800 annual certification

UV Resistance & Outdoor Durability

Natural HDPE

Standard HDPE without UV protection

UV Stability:Limited - 6-12 months outdoor exposure

Cost:Lowest cost option

Applications: Indoor use, short-term outdoor storage

Identification: Natural (milky white) color

UV Stabilized

HDPE with UV stabilizer additives

UV Stability:Good - 2-5 years outdoor exposure

Cost:10-15% premium over natural

Applications: Outdoor storage, UV exposure areas

Identification: Usually natural color with UV additive

Carbon Black

HDPE with carbon black pigment

UV Stability:Excellent - 10+ years outdoor exposure

Cost:5-10% premium over natural

Applications: Long-term outdoor use, industrial applications

Identification: Black color

Colored Pigmented

HDPE with colored pigments (blue, yellow, etc.)

UV Stability:Variable - depends on pigment type

Cost:15-25% premium over natural

Applications: Color coding, branding, moderate UV exposure

Identification: Various colors (blue, yellow, red, etc.)

Condition Classifications & Food Grade Status

New Virgin

100% of market price

Brand new drums made from virgin HDPE resin

Characteristics

✓Virgin HDPE resin construction
✓No previous use or contents
✓Full FDA food grade certification
✓Complete manufacturer warranty
✓Pristine condition inside and out
✓All closures and gaskets included

Food Grade Status: Fully food grade certified

Best For: Food ingredients, pharmaceuticals, critical applications

Estimated Lifespan: Full 15-20 year potential

Food Grade Only

70-85% of new price

Previously held FDA-approved food ingredients only

Characteristics

✓Only FDA-approved food materials
✓Clean interior with minimal staining
✓No chemical contamination
✓Suitable for continued food use
✓Original labels may be present
✓Closures functional and clean

Food Grade Status: Maintains food grade status

Best For: Food ingredients, beverages, edible products

Estimated Lifespan: 12-18 additional years estimated

Industrial Clean

55-70% of new price

Non-food chemicals, professionally cleaned

Characteristics

✓Non-food grade chemicals only
✓Professionally cleaned and tested
✓Some staining acceptable
✓Structurally sound condition
✓Not suitable for food contact
✓May require new gaskets

Food Grade Status: No longer food grade

Best For: Industrial chemicals, lubricants, non-food applications

Estimated Lifespan: 8-12 additional years estimated

General Use

40-55% of new price

Various previous contents, basic cleaning

Characteristics

✓Mixed previous contents
✓Basic cleaning performed
✓Visible staining or discoloration
✓Structurally intact
✓Odors may be present
✓Budget option for non-critical use

Food Grade Status: Definitely not food grade

Best For: Waste collection, non-critical storage, one-time use

Estimated Lifespan: 5-8 additional years estimated

Damaged/Scrap

Plastic recycling value ($0.05-0.15/lb)

Structural damage, suitable for recycling only

Characteristics

✓Cracks, holes, or deformation
✓UV degradation or brittleness
✓Chemical damage to plastic
✓Unsafe for liquid storage
✓Missing closures or handles
✓Recycling value only

Food Grade Status: No longer suitable for any use

Best For: HDPE recycling, not suitable for reuse

Estimated Lifespan: End of service life

Cleaning & Reconditioning Protocols

Food Grade Cleaning

Maintaining food contact surface integrity

Cleaning Steps

1Pre-rinse with potable water
2Alkaline cleaner wash (CIP compatible)
3Thorough rinse with potable water
4Sanitizer application (if required)
5Final rinse and air dry
6Visual and analytical verification

Approved Chemicals

•Alkaline cleaners (sodium hydroxide based)
•Acid cleaners (phosphoric acid based)
•Sanitizers (quaternary ammonium, chlorine)
•All cleaners must be food grade approved

Validation: ATP testing, visual inspection, analytical testing

Industrial Cleaning

General purpose cleaning for industrial reuse

Cleaning Steps

1Initial content removal
2High-pressure hot water wash
3Degreasing agent application
4Mechanical scrubbing if needed
5Final rinse and inspection
6Air dry completely

Approved Chemicals

•Industrial degreasers
•Alkaline cleaners
•Solvent cleaners (if compatible)
•Steam cleaning

Validation: Visual inspection, odor test, basic cleanliness

Truckload Quantities

Drum Type	Quantity	Total Weight	Stacking	Trailer Type	Notes
55 Gallon - Empty	400-450 drums	4,000-5,500 lbs	6-8 high (nested)	53' dry van	Lightweight allows high counts
55 Gallon - Full (water)	80-85 drums	42,000-45,000 lbs	Single layer only	53' dry van	Weight limited, same as steel drums
30 Gallon - Empty	600-700 drums	4,000-6,000 lbs	8-10 high (nested)	53' dry van	Very high counts when empty
Mixed Sizes - Empty	500-600 drums	4,500-6,500 lbs	Varies by size	53' dry van	Excellent space utilization

Key Facts for Plastic Drum Trading

Food Grade Premium

Food grade plastic drums command 70-85% of new price vs 40-55% for industrial. Virgin resin and previous contents critical for value

Weight Advantage

55-gallon plastic drums weigh 9-12 lbs vs 38-45 lbs for steel. Empty truckloads carry 400+ plastic vs 280 steel drums

UV Protection

Natural HDPE degrades in 6-12 months outdoors. Carbon black provides 10+ years UV protection. Critical for outdoor storage

⚠️ IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

All used plastic drums are sold AS-IS with NO WARRANTIES, guarantees, or representations of any kind. These are USED PRODUCTS that will NOT meet strict regulations, compliance requirements, or quality standards. Condition classifications and food grade status are LOOSELY DEFINED and subjective - what one company considers food grade, another may not. Buyers are solely responsible for inspection, testing, and suitability determination. HDPE properties, UV resistance, food grade certifications, and condition classifications are estimates only and do not constitute any warranty or guarantee of performance, safety, compliance, or fitness for any particular purpose.