Buy Used Metal Drums in Vermont
Available Listings in Vermont
3 Metal Drums listings in Vermont.
Metal Drums Prices in Vermont
Condition-level pricing for metal drums in Vermont will appear here when current market data is available.
| Condition | Avg. Price | Available Qty | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current market data | Pending | Pending | Pending |
Use the full price index for broader market pricing while this condition breakdown updates. View full price index
About Vermont
#1 Supplier of Used Metal Drums Across The State of Vermont
Save Money on Metal Drums: Your Complete Vermont Buying Guide
You'll save hundreds of dollars and find exactly what you need by knowing where to buy quality used metal drums in Vermont. This guide shows you the best places, fair prices, and what to check before buying.
Why Buy Used Metal Drums?
You can save 50-70% compared to new drums. A new 55-gallon drum costs $150-200. Used ones cost $35-100.
What you get:
Same storage capacity as new drums
Tested and safe containers
Money left over for other business needs
Help the environment by reusing materials
What Are Metal Drums Used For?
People use these drums to store:
Maple syrup and food products
Heating oil and diesel fuel
Water for gardens and farms
Industrial chemicals (with proper ratings)
Bulk materials like grain or sand
Types of Drums You'll Find
Open-head drums have removable tops. Use these when you need to scoop or pour things in and out easily.
Tight-head drums have fixed tops with small openings. Use these for liquids you pump in and out.
Sizes available:
30-gallon: Good for small operations
55-gallon: Most popular size
85-gallon: For large storage needs
Where to Buy in Northern Vermont
Waterbury Area
Check local metal recycling centers. They clean drums from factories and sell them at fair prices. You can inspect drums before buying. Staff will tell you what was stored in each drum.
Hardwick Area
Metal recycling yards here get drums from farms and auto shops. Prices start around $35 each. You can often negotiate better prices when buying 10 or more drums.
Where to Buy in Central Vermont
White River Junction
Salvage exchanges sell drums alongside building materials. This saves you trips to multiple stores. Drums here are usually cleaned and ready to use.
Swanton
Local salvage yards offer delivery within 20 miles. They grade drums honestly - telling you about any dents or rust spots.
Where to Buy in Southern Vermont
RePackify (Brattleboro and Burlington)
RePackify sells online with local pickup options. Their Brattleboro location stocks over 200 drums at any time. Burlington has dozens more.
RePackify advantages:
Clear online listings with photos
Honest condition descriptions
Bulk pricing discounts
You can inspect before buying
How Much Should You Pay?
Fair prices in Vermont:
Basic used drums: $35-45 each
Cleaned and tested drums: $50-70 each
Food-grade certified drums: $80-100 each
Bulk discounts:
10+ drums: Save 10-15%
25+ drums: Save 20-25%
Full truckload: Save up to 30%
What to Check Before Buying
Look for these problems:
Rust holes (small surface rust is OK)
Dented bottom (won't sit flat)
Missing or damaged lids
Strong chemical odors
Ask these questions:
What was stored in this drum?
Has it been pressure tested?
Do you have cleaning certificates?
Can I return it if there are problems?
Safety Rules You Must Follow
For food storage: Only buy food-grade certified drums. These have special linings and cleaning standards.
For chemicals: You need UN-rated drums with proper documentation. Don't use drums that held unknown chemicals.
For heating oil: Regular used drums work fine, but check for leaks first.
Transportation Tips
Small orders (1-5 drums): Pick up with a truck or trailer. Each empty drum weighs about 50 pounds.
Large orders (10+ drums): Arrange freight delivery. RePackify can help coordinate this.
Loading help: Most suppliers will help load your truck with a forklift.
Getting the Best Deal
Timing matters: Prices are lowest in late fall and winter when demand drops.
Build relationships: Regular customers get first pick of the best drums and better prices.
Combine trips: Buy other supplies at the same time to save on gas.
Inspect everything: Don't be afraid to reject drums that don't meet your needs.
Environmental Benefits
Buying used drums keeps them out of landfills. When your drums wear out, steel recycling centers will pay you for the scrap metal. This creates a full circle of reuse.
Many Vermont businesses return their empty drums to suppliers like RePackify for credit toward future purchases.
Red Flags to Avoid
Don't buy if:
The seller won't tell you what was stored inside
Drums smell strongly of chemicals
There are no safety certificates for hazardous material drums
The price seems too good to be true
The seller pressures you to buy immediately
Your Next Steps
Decide what you're storing - This determines what type of drum you need
Set your budget - Include transportation costs
Call 2-3 suppliers - Compare prices and availability
Inspect before buying - Bring a flashlight and take your time
Arrange transportation - Plan how you'll get drums home
Bottom Line
Vermont has many good sources for used metal drums. You'll save the most money by buying from metal recycling centers and established suppliers like RePackify. Always inspect drums carefully and ask about their history.
Start with one or two drums to test a supplier. Once you find someone honest with fair prices, stick with them for future purchases.
Remember: A $50 used drum that lasts five years is better than a $35 drum that leaks after six months.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are standard 55-gallon drum dimensions?
A closed-head 55-gallon steel drum is 22.5" in diameter and 33.5" tall and weighs 38 to 48 lbs empty; the open-head version is about 34.75" tall because of the bolt ring and weighs 45 to 55 lbs. A 30-gallon drum is 19" x 28.5" (22 to 30 lbs) and a 16-gallon drum 15" x 26.5" (15 to 20 lbs). The 85-gallon overpack, 27" x 39", is for containing a damaged drum.
What is the difference between open-head and tight-head drums?
A tight-head drum has a sealed top with 2" and 3/4" bungs and is for liquids. An open-head drum has a removable lid held by a bolt ring or lever lock and is for solids, pastes, and anything you scoop out. Lined drums add an epoxy or phenolic interior for corrosive or food-grade contents.
What is a reconditioned drum?
A reconditioned drum has been professionally cleaned, tested, and certified for reuse, and is the grade to buy when the drum will hold product again, provided the new contents are compatible with what it held before and any hazmat use has a valid UN marking from a DOT-certified reconditioner. Used drums are sold as-is, with prior contents disclosed when the seller knows them, and suit non-critical storage. Damaged drums are sold for scrap value only; grade says nothing about head type, so check the 33.5" closed-head or 34.75" open-head height separately.
Can a used steel drum hold food or drinking water?
Only a lined, reconditioned drum that was previously food-grade and that the reconditioner certifies for food or potable use; the grade alone is not enough. An unlined drum that held oil, solvents, or chemicals cannot be made food-safe by cleaning. Listings state the last contents when the seller knows them, so filter by prior contents before buying a 55-gallon drum for potable use.
How many drums fit on a truck?
Empty 55-gallon drums: a 53-foot dry van carries 104 single-tier on 26 drum pallets of 4, 208 double-stacked, or 200 or more loose and tight-packed. Filled with water, weight governs: about 84 drums on 21 pallets reach the 45,000-lb payload. An 85-gallon overpack is 27" across, so only 2 fit on a 48" drum pallet.