what can i do with an old 55 gallon drum

Full Answer

Can you recycle 55 gallon drums?

The Best Way to Get Rid of 55 Gallon Drums To preserve natural resources, state and federal organizations promote the re-use and recycling of big and strong 55-gallon barrels. The drum may be recycled as scrap metal if it can’t be re-used. Is it possible to recycle 55 gallon barrels with this in mind?

Can you make a rain barrel out of 55 gallon drums?

Rain Barrel – There are lots of ways to make a rain barrel, but the most popular DIYs use 55 gallon drums. Saving rainwater is a great way to keep your water bills down, especially if you don’t have a well. Water Storage System – Use 55 gallon drums to create a vertical water storage area, just in case.

What can you put in a 55 gallon plastic barrel?

From tomato sauce to industrial chemicals, plastic 55-gallon barrels are routinely used to transport and store a wide range of liquids. Recycling and recycling these barrels has become commonplace, both for environmental reasons and to save money. Where can I obtain a free 55-gallon steel drum?

Where can I source second hand 55 gallon barrels/drums?

In order to make your garden and home as sustainable as possible, it is often best to try to source second hand 55 gallon barrels/drums, rather than buying them new. But where can you source such items? The first place to look is online. 55 gallon barrels and drums are often offered for free on sharing/ recycling sites such as:

What can I do with empty drums?

Unless your company is registered and capable of disposing of hazardous waste on-site, you'll need to arrange for the empty drums to be collected by hazardous waste disposal experts. Often your local landfill is able to provide this service, so check there first.

What to do with empty plastic drums?

PLASTIC BARRELS CAN BE RECYCLED The best and safest way to dispose of plastic barrels is to recycle them. Plastic takes a long time to degrade naturally, so in the interest of sustainability plastic barrels should always be recycled, where possible.

How much does an empty 55 gallon steel drum weigh?

STEEL DRUMS: OPEN OR CLOSED HEAD LINED, UNLINED AND STAINLESS STEELGallonHeightWeight5533"48 lbs3529"25 lbs

What are blue plastic barrels used for?

Also known as poly drums, they are the internationally-approved container for shipping liquid food products, world-wide. They get shipped in bulk to food manufacturers and distributers all over the globe containing edible oils, juices, sauces, vinegars, food flavorings, colorings, you name it.

What can you make out of plastic 55 gallon drums?

18 Genius Homestead Uses For 55 Gallon Plastic BarrelsMake a trailer ride by using 55 gallon plastic barrels.A plastic barrel can easily be converted into a compost bin.Make a raised bee hive for your backyard.A 55 gallon plastic barrel can make a terrific tree swing.Make a simple DIY outdoor planter.

How much does a 55 gallon drum cost?

They stock plastic, fiber, stainless steel, and lined/unlined steel 55-gallon drums that you can buy online or in-store at wholesale prices. Prices range from $67 for plastic drums but go up to $750 for stainless steel drums.

What kind of metal are 55 gallon drums made of?

55 Gallon Steel Drums The 55 gallon steel drum can be made from both stainless and carbon steel materials, and is available in several varieties, including; Salvage Drums, Type A & 7A (tested) Drums, Hazmat containers, and the conventional carbon steel drum.

How heavy is a full 55 gallon drum?

459 poundsWhat does a filled 55-gallon drum weigh? Fifty-five gallons of water weighs 459 pounds, so depending on the drum, you're looking at around 500 pounds. Your drum could be heavier or lighter, depending on the density of your product.

How thick is a 55 gallon steel drum?

between 0.9 and 1.5 mm55 Gallon Steel Drums – Dimensions and Specifications The standard thickness of the steel is between 0.9 and 1.5 mm (20-16 gauge steel), and the drums are often reinforced with ribs or rolling hoops at both the top and bottom of the barrel as well as at each third of the barrel's height.

What are blue 55 gallon barrels used for?

The well-established “blue” 55-gallon (210 liter) plastic drums are commonly used for a wide range of liquids, from chemical to food, and are considered as a light-weight alternative to its steel counterpart. These conventional plastic barrels/drums are available in open head (open top) and also in closed head design.

How can you tell if a 55 gallon drum is food grade?

The easiest way to check is to look for the Resin Identification Code—i.e., recycling number—which identifies the type of plastic material. The code consists of a triangle of arrows surrounding a number between 1 and 7. Generally, numbers 1 through 7 indicate food grade plastic.

What are the blue plastic barrels called?

HDPE plastic drumToday, the blue colour quickly identifies the drum as an HDPE plastic drum. Most plastic drums manufactured for an industrial capacity are coloured blue, as this is the industry standard.

How can plastic barrels be reused?

11 Ways to Use Recycled Plastic Barrels for Your Homestead NeedsRecycled Barrel Kid Warmers. ... Recycled Barrel “Ponds” for Ducks. ... Recycled Barrel Rain Barrel. ... Recycled Barrel Composter. ... Recycled Barrel Nest Box. ... Recycled Barrel Garden Planter. ... Recycled Barrel Livestock Waterer. ... Recycled Barrel Aquaponics Set Up.More items...

What are plastic drums used for?

Plastic barrel drums can be used to store a broad range of hazardous materials. These containers are designed to store and transport non-leaking hazardous materials containers safely. Some plastic barrel drums can also be combined with sorbents to secure any leaking hazardous materials containers.

How do you make a recycled drum?

0:053:03How to Make a Tin Can Drum | Sophie's World - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe're gonna take a tin can and we're gonna turn it into something special I'm gonna take this oneMoreWe're gonna take a tin can and we're gonna turn it into something special I'm gonna take this one tin can I want to make sure that it's cleaned out and that there's no sharp edges very very important.

How do you flatten plastic barrels?

Place a half down with blocks (or some other weight) on one of the cut sides and slowly heat toward the other end in a top to bottom motion. It will take a long time.

How many gallon drums are needed for a rain barrel?

Rain Barrel – There are lots of ways to make a rain barrel, but the most popular DIYs use 55 gallon drums. Saving rainwater is a great way to keep your water bills down, especially if you don’t have a well.

How many gallons of drum for meat smoker?

Drum Smoker – A simple way to create your own backyard meat smoker is with a 55 gallon steel drum.

What is steel drum furniture?

Steel Drum Furniture – This is a clever way to transform old barrels into an adorable, brightly colored patio set. The curved back makes these very comfortable.

Can you use a 55 gallon drum on a farm?

While you might not have a 55 gallon drum just laying around unused, they’re a perfect material to use on a farm or homestead for people who like to be prepared and self-sufficient.

What can you do with 55 gallon drums?

People have turned 55-gallon drums into grills and smokers with some ingenuity.

How many gallons does a 55 gallon drum hold?

A 55-gallon drum is said to carry 55 gallons, but whether it does or not depends on several factors. The actual amount the drum can hold depends on what it was designed to carry. 55-gallon drums differ in their carrying capacity depending on who manufactured the drum. Certain changes in the overall design of a drum can impact how much a drum actually is able to hold.

How much does a 55 gallon drum of oil weigh?

How much a 55-gallon drum of oil weighs depends on the oil’s density. Medium crude oils weigh about 399 – 417lbs based on the Louisanna DNR standard. Oil with a heavier density will weight more than the above.

How many gallon drums are there for a dog house?

Who said dog houses needed to be made of wood. A plastic 55-gallon drum can provide a comfortable home for your pet.

How to prevent root rot in a barrel?

Just drill a few holes in the bottom of the barrel to prevent root rot and then plant as usual.

Why do gardeners use rainwater to water their vegetables?

Gardeners use rainwater to water their vegetables because it is better for the plants than tap water.

Can you use a barrel to make a crib?

People have even used a barrel to create a crib for their baby with an attached mobile.

Can metal drums be used for fireplaces?

Metal drums will be yours unless the original company has a reimbursement policy. #N#Triple rinsed and dried reduces residue contamination, however, they do make good burn barrels or private shop fireplace's.#N#I get my hands on old hydraulic or water treatment phosphate drums. Sometimes lubricant drums that have been emptied completely. The oily residue burns out in 30 minutes.

Can you recycle drums?

Do a Google search for your area. There are drum/barrel recyclers will take them-usually for free. They use a detergent to clean them, test them for integrity, then resell them. If the drums are in poor condition, they will shred the plastic ones to be recycled or crush the metal ones to be recycled. You really don't want to be selling these drums, even if they are triple rinsed, to people who may use them for water, etc.

What is the best way to get rid of empty chemical drums?

Nonetheless, they must be disposed of in accordance with EPA standards as well as municipal or institutional policies. Cleaning the containers three times with an appropriate solvent and storing the rinse liquid in a reusable container is recommended.

What is the best way to make a water drum?

Gather your tools in the first step. TO MAKE ONE, YOU’LL NEED THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

What is the best way to clean an oil barrel?

Over the inside of the plastic barrel, sprinkle baking soda on the oil marks . The extra oil will be absorbed by the baking soda. In the barrel, leave the baking soda.

What can you do with barrels?

You’ll never run out of things to do with those barrels you have sitting around, from home décor to DIY furniture.

What is 55 gallon drum?

The 55-gallon drums endemic to hazardous waste disposal must meet strict government standards for eco-friendliness. This includes their end-of-life disposal or recycling; and mistakes concerning these drums are one of the most common reasons for EPA citations and fines.

What are hazmat drums made of?

Drums for hazmat or chemical disposal might be made of steel or polyethylene. (Sometimes fiberboard, but that’s way rare.) Steel drums are best where durability and strength are paramount. They can handle more weight than poly, better withstand any blunt force (e.g. collisions), and they’re inherently fireproof.

Do you triple rinse a container?

Containers (or inner liners) that have contained acute hazardous waste must be triple-rinsed with an appropriate solvent—or cleaned by another method that has been proven the equivalent of a triple-rinse. But be advised: Specific federal guidance is conspicuously lacking about what constitutes a triple-rinse.

Can hazmat drums be disposed of?

Once emptied & cleaned to RCRA standards (known as “RCRA empty” to EPA hipsters), hazmat drums can be disposed of the same way as non-hazardous ones (i.e. more cheaply).

Is it legal to transport hazardous waste drums?

Transporting hazardous waste drums is fraught with legal requirements that must be considered before the first barrel is placed on a flatbed and sent offsite. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse; and mistakes might well be construed as criminal intent.

Is steel drum better than poly?

This durability decreases risk so that your insurance bill for transit can be less ugly—although no beauty queen. Steel drums are easier to reuse than poly, so they can be a better long-term value. But they have a weight problem, and excess avoirdupois renders them expensive to ship.

Is a container holding compressed gas RCRA empty?

A container holding compressed gas is RCRA empty at the point where the pressure inside the container is equal to atmospheric pressure in practical terms. This, of course, requires opening the container—so that applicable rules, regulations, and common-sense precautions specific to the particular gaseous hazmat must be observed.