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Q&As since 1989


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Disposal of 55gal. plastic drums

Does anyone know where we can dispose of 55 gal.blue plastic drums. Right now we are cutting them in half and throwing them into dumpsters. We're located in the Chicago area.

MIKE SWASKO
METAL FINISHING - CICERO, Illinois, USA
January 22, 2008

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There are folks who clean and recondition used drums for resale. Likely there's one in your area. They might even offer you a small payment...or at least remove them at no charge.

Jeffrey Holmes, CEF
Spartanburg, South Carolina
January 25, 2008

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You're already doing it correctly, is someone pressuring you to change?

Sheldon Taylor
supply chain electronics
Wake Forest, North Carolina
January 28, 2008

A. I'm for selling those drums, even very very cheaply, if possible. Joint & Several Liability and Cradle to Grave responsibility for waste persists if you pay someone to take them but I believe (although I'm no lawyer) that if you can get somebody to pay you a pittance it's no longer waste.

Luck & Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

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First of two simultaneous responses --

If they are clean sell them as water butts (UK terminology). They would make ideal cheap rain water collection units for use in garden's. You could contact a local garden centre and split the pure profit.

Terry Hickling
Birmingham, United Kingdom
January 30, 2008

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Second of two simultaneous responses --

The dumpster is OK, only if the drums have been triple rinsed first.
The EPA definition of triple rinsed is from someone with no knowledge of what was in the drum or of the most basic chemistry.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
January 30, 2008

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First of two simultaneous responses -- January 31, 2008

Mike

Contact a TSD facility. They may take them at no charge, at worst, charge you a couple of bucks each, and then turnaround and sell 'em.

www.repacs.com has an empty container return program.

The quantity you have available will effect viability of either program.

*Do not sell them as clean or for use with water.*

Willie Alexander
- Colorado Springs, Colorado

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Second of two simultaneous responses --

It may be wise to talk to your local EPA or a dedicated firm. Do you know what they used to contain? It doesn't matter how many times you rinse them. You may be liable if you are not disposing of the rinses adequately

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
January 31, 2008

I was an over the road Truck Driver back in 95 or1996 and I would pick up many loads of 55-gal plastic drums and Deliver them to A company in Albany, GA sorry don't know the name of the place. Hope this helps

Paul Miller
- Jonesboro, Arkansas
February 18, 2008