What to Do With Old Plastic Drums

October 11, 2025 , Anthony McKoy

What to Do With Old Plastic Drums | Nc Plastic Pallets

What to Do With Old Plastic Drums Your Business Doesn’t Need

If your business has stacks of used or empty plastic drums sitting around, you’re not alone. Many manufacturers, farms, and warehouses across North Carolina face the same problem — what to do with old plastic drums once they’re no longer needed.

The good news? You don’t have to let them collect dust or pay for disposal. There are better, eco-friendly options that can free up space and even save you money.

Here’s how to handle unwanted 55-gallon plastic drums the right way

1. Recycle Your Plastic Drums

The best way to deal with old drums is to recycle them. Plastic barrels made from HDPE (high-density polyethylene) can be cleaned, shredded, and reused to create new plastic products — keeping tons of material out of landfills.

At NC Plastic Pallets, we make recycling easy. We offer:

Free pickup for qualifying loads

Responsible recycling and reuse

Fast service across North Carolina

You’ll clear up space and ensure your materials are disposed of responsibly.

2. Reuse or Repurpose Them

If your plastic drums are still in good shape, consider repurposing them for other uses around your facility or community.

Some ideas include:

Storing bulk ingredients or liquids
Using as rain barrels or feed containers
Turning them into industrial waste bins
Donating them to local farms or community projects

Many local organizations are happy to take free containers for practical uses.

3. Sell or Give Them Away

Even if you no longer need your drums, other businesses might. Try listing them on platforms like:

Facebook Marketplace
Craigslist (under “Free” or “Materials”)
Local recycling or surplus material exchanges

This not only helps keep them out of landfills but may earn your business a little extra cash or goodwill in your community.

4. Partner With a Drum Recycler

If your business regularly handles large quantities of plastic drums, it may be worth setting up a pickup partnership with a professional recycler.

NC Plastic Pallets partners with manufacturers, food processors, and logistics companies to provide ongoing collection and recycling of plastic pallets and drums.

This keeps your facility organized, eliminates clutter, and ensures all your containers are handled in an environmentally friendly way.

5. Schedule a Free Pickup With NC Plastic Pallets

If you’re located anywhere in North Carolina, NC Plastic Pallets can haul away your unwanted plastic barrels and drums — often for free.

Here’s how it works:

Contact us with details about your drums (quantity and condition).
We schedule a convenient pickup time.
Our team hauls them away for recycling or reuse.

It’s fast, easy, and helps your business stay clean and compliant.

Keep Your Facility Clean — and Green

By recycling or donating your old plastic drums, you’re helping your business and the environment. You’ll save storage space, reduce disposal costs, and prevent reusable materials from ending up in landfills.

At NC Plastic Pallets, we handle everything from plastic pallets to 55-gallon plastic drums, making it easy for businesses like yours to recycle responsibly.