Plastic Drums

Plastic drums are well suited to storing substances that do not react with plastic. They are a lighter, corrosion-resistant alternative to metal drums and are often used to store chemically non-aggressive liquids.

They are one of the options available in the wider hazardous waste containers section.

They are a popular choice at industrial sites and separate collection points.

They are available in several colours, making it easy to tell stored substances apart at a glance without checking the label every time. The UV-resistant material also allows safe storage outdoors.

Plastic drums are blow-moulded from high-density polyethylene, giving a uniform, seamless wall with good resistance to cracking at low temperatures. This is a significant advantage over cheaper plastics in outdoor use, where the drum is exposed to frost and temperature changes throughout the day.

Compared with the metal version, plastic drums are much lighter, which makes them easier to carry and move by hand over short distances. They also pose no risk of sparking on contact with other metal parts, a feature valued in explosive atmospheres, where any electrostatic spark is a real hazard.

However, the chemical resistance of the plastic is not universal. Some organic solvents can weaken the structure of polyethylene over time, so before purchasing it is worth checking that the drum material is compatible with the specific substance to be stored, using the chemical resistance tables available from the manufacturer.

At the end of their service life, plastic drums can be recycled as plastic waste, which further reduces their overall environmental cost compared with packaging that is harder to process. This is worth taking into account when planning packaging waste management at your site.

Plastic drums are usually closed with a screw cap secured by a tamper-evident ring, which shows whether the drum has been opened before. This is important when transporting substances whose packaging integrity must be confirmed from filling right through to delivery to the end customer, for example in the supply chain for chemicals used in the food industry.

When choosing a capacity, consider not only the amount of liquid to be stored but also how it will be dispensed. Smaller drums of a few dozen litres are easier to carry and dispense by hand in small quantities, while larger models are suitable where the substance is drawn off directly by pump, without the drum having to be moved each time.