Looking for used plastic drums? Browse live listings from suppliers across the US.
Browse ListingsAbout Used Plastic Drums
A used plastic drum has been emptied and sold as it is, sometimes rinsed by the last user but not washed to a spec, inspected or leak-tested. Residue, staining and worn gaskets are normal.
Unlike a reconditioned drum, a used drum cannot go back into hazmat service on its looks: 49 CFR 173.28 requires reconditioning, or a leakproofness test and inspection, first. Unlike a damaged drum, it still holds product. It suits non-hazmat industrial use, water storage and secondary containment.
HDPE does not rust, so a used plastic drum often stays sound longer than a used steel one, but two things still end its life: absorbed product and sunlight. A drum that held a pesticide or solvent should never be used for water or food, and a drum stored outdoors can go brittle, which shows as chalking or fine cracks.
What to Look For When Buying
- Prior contents named by the seller and compatible with your use
- No chalking, brittleness or cracks from sun exposure
- Residue or staining inside the drum
- Warping or bulging from heat or pressure
- Bungs or lid and gasket present and sealing
Ideal For
- Non-hazmat industrial storage
- Refilling with the same product
- Rain and irrigation water when prior contents were food-safe
- Reconditioner feedstock
Not Recommended For
- Hazmat shipping before reconditioning or retest
- Food or potable water when prior contents are unknown
Buying Tips
- Ask for the prior-contents declaration before choosing a use
- Flex the lid or bung area, since brittle HDPE cracks there first
- Rinse and water-test before a different fill
- Send drums to a reconditioner if you need them for hazmat
What buyers pay
$14.27average per unit, $10.38 to $18.16