Alexei Volkov
Plastic drums are often used to store hazardous materials, including corrosive, toxic, or flammable substances. As a result, there are strict regulations surrounding their disposal, and improper disposal can result in severe penalties, including substantial fines. Drums must be emptied and cleaned to remove any hazardous waste or residue, which can be done by specialised drum reconditioning facilities. These facilities then restore and test the drums before they can be reused or recycled. Some companies offer free drum recycling and disposal services, providing pick-up and delivery services to their customers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Container Requirements | Containers must be "drip dry" and empty in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations. |
| Container Contents | Drums must be free of hazardous materials, including flammable, corrosive, reactive, toxic, or infectious substances. |
| Container Labels | Labels must be in place, legible, and display specific information, such as "HAZARDOUS WASTE—Federal Law Prohibits Improper Disposal." |
| Container Size | Common sizes include 55-gallon drums, but various sizes are accepted. |
| Container Material | Plastic drums, also known as polyethylene drums, are accepted, along with steel drums and other materials. |
| Container Condition | Drums should be intact, without severe dents or holes, and free of residues. |
| Container Pickup | Pickup services are offered, with potential fees depending on the number of drums and location. |
| Container Disposal Options | Disposal options include recycling, reconditioning, reselling, or crushing and melting into raw materials. |
| Container Regulations | Strict government standards and EPA regulations must be followed to avoid penalties and ensure proper disposal. |
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What You'll Learn
Drum disposal regulations
To dispose of drums, one must first identify and classify the waste according to regulatory standards. This involves evaluating the waste based on characteristics such as ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, and toxicity. Proper classification ensures that the waste is handled, packaged, and disposed of appropriately.
For example, drums that previously held hazardous materials must comply with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Under RCRA, containers must be sufficiently empty, with all wastes removed by pouring, pumping, or aspirating. This is referred to as the "RCRA empty" standard, and containers that meet this standard are exempt from certain EPA hazardous waste disposal rules. However, it is important to determine if the removal or management of the original waste produces additional hazardous waste.
In terms of transportation, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has specific regulations for hazardous waste drums. While neither the EPA nor the DOT specifies a format for labeling, both require specific information to be prominently displayed on the container. This includes markings indicating the contents as hazardous and notices prohibiting improper disposal. The transporter must also obtain an EPA identification number and comply with the EPA's hazardous waste manifest system.
Overall, it is crucial to follow drum disposal regulations to ensure the safe and proper disposal of hazardous waste. Failure to comply with these regulations can have significant environmental and health impacts.
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Recycling and disposal services
Plastic drums can be recycled and disposed of in a variety of ways, depending on their previous contents and current condition. It is important to identify the hazardous nature of the contents originally stored in the drums, as this will impact the disposal method.
Recycling Services
Recycling companies such as Orlando Drum offer pick-up, delivery, and disposal services for plastic drums in Florida, Georgia, and the Southeastern United States. They have been receiving, reconditioning, and reselling plastic and steel drums for over 40 years. Drums that are still in good condition are cleaned and resold to be refilled, while those that do not meet safety standards are washed, crushed, and recycled into raw materials. Orlando Drum offers free pick-up services for companies that do not have the means to transport large quantities of used drums, with certain conditions applying.
The Cary Company also offers free drum recycling and disposal services across the United States, with specific facilities in Addison, IL, Pittsburg, PA, Jurupa Valley, CA, and Livermore, CA. They collect drums of all sizes, but the most common size they collect is 55 gallons.
Disposal Services
If the plastic drums have contained hazardous materials, proper disposal is essential to avoid penalties and negative impacts on human health and the environment. Drums must be emptied and decontaminated to remove any residue of hazardous materials. They should also be labelled clearly as hazardous waste, with specific information displayed, as per government regulations.
Once drums are emptied and cleaned to RCRA standards, they can be disposed of similarly to non-hazardous drums. However, it is important to note that drum disposal must comply with strict federal, state, and local environmental regulations.
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Preparing drums for disposal
Preparing plastic drums for disposal requires careful attention to safety and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Here are the steps to prepare plastic drums for disposal:
- Emptying and Cleaning: Ensure that the drums are completely empty, complying with the RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) empty container provision. This means removing all liquid waste by pouring, pumping, or aspirating. For closed-head drums, no more than one inch of residue should remain, complying with the "one-inch rule." The drums should be "drip dry." Additionally, wash the drums with water and a caustic solution to clean out any remaining residues.
- Decontamination: Decontaminate the empty drums with a neutralizing solution, especially if they previously contained hazardous materials. This step is crucial to prevent any adverse effects on human health and the environment.
- Documentation and Labelling: Document the details of the drums, including the former contents (with a Safety Data Sheet or SDS), size, material, number of drums, and pick-up location. Take clear pictures of the drums, especially providing an image of the inside if they are open-head drums. Ensure that all labels are legible, durable, clearly visible, and comply with regulatory requirements.
- Quantity and Pick-up Arrangements: Contact the appropriate disposal service provider and inquire about their specific requirements for quantity and pick-up location. Some services offer free pick-up for full truckload quantities, while others may accommodate smaller quantities on a case-by-case basis.
- Compliance and Regulations: Adhere to strict federal, state, and local environmental regulations throughout the disposal process. If the drums contained hazardous materials, comply with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) hazardous material regulations and ensure proper labelling.
- Recycling and Reuse: Plastic drums can often be recycled or reconditioned for reuse. Drum reconditioning facilities clean, restore, test, and certify industrial containers for resale. This process provides important economic and environmental advantages by reducing the consumption of resources.
Remember, the specific regulations and requirements may vary based on your location and the type of materials previously stored in the plastic drums. Always prioritize safety and compliance when preparing drums for disposal.
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Reusing and repurposing drums
Plastic drums can be reused and repurposed in a variety of ways, and doing so provides important economic and environmental advantages by consuming less energy and resources.
One popular method of reusing plastic drums is to transform them into hydroponic gardens. Hydroponic gardening is a method of growing plants without soil, and plastic drums can be used as colourful and cost-effective containers. To repurpose a plastic drum for hydroponic gardening, you will need to gather materials such as a cutting tool, a hydroponic nutrient solution, and net pots. Clean the drum and cut holes into it for planting, ensuring the holes are sized for your net pots. Position the drums in a sunny location, fill them with a nutrient-rich water solution, and insert your chosen plants into the net pots. Regularly monitor the water levels and nutrient concentrations as your garden grows.
Plastic drums can also be repurposed for a variety of other functions. For example, they can be cut and modified to be used as garbage cans, rain barrels, or even as a base for a homemade windmill. They can also be used for functions such as docks, rafts, and houseboats, or as a smoker for cooking.
Before reusing or repurposing a plastic drum, it is important to ensure that it has been properly cleaned and that it is safe to do so. Drums that have contained hazardous materials or waste may need to be handled with special care and shipped to drum reconditioning facilities to be cleaned, restored, tested, and reused.
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Drum disposal costs
The cost of drum disposal depends on several factors, including the type of drum, the contents, and the location of disposal.
Type of Drum
Plastic drums, for example, polyethylene drums, tend to be cheaper to dispose of than steel drums due to their lighter weight, which reduces shipping costs. Steel drums, on the other hand, may be more durable and better suited for certain types of contents but can be more expensive to transport.
Contents
The contents of the drums play a significant role in the disposal cost. Drums containing hazardous materials or waste must meet strict government regulations, such as the RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) empty container provision, which can increase the cost of disposal. Drums must be sufficiently empty, with all possible waste removed, leaving no more than one inch of residue, according to the RCRA "one-inch rule." This process of emptying and cleaning the drums can be time-consuming and costly.
Location of Disposal
The location of disposal facilities can also impact the cost. Some companies offer free drum recycling and disposal services, but they may have specific requirements for the condition of the drums, such as being drip dry and having all labels intact. These companies often require full truckload quantities for free pickup services, and the location of the pickup can affect eligibility. If the pickup location is far from the disposal facility, additional freight charges may apply.
Regulatory Compliance
Drum disposal must comply with federal, state, and local environmental regulations. Failure to adhere to these regulations can result in significant fines and penalties. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has specific requirements for the management and disposal of hazardous waste, and non-compliance can lead to legal consequences.
Overall, the cost of drum disposal varies based on the specific circumstances, including the type of drum, the nature of its contents, the location of disposal, and the applicable regulatory requirements. It is important to research and understand the specific regulations and requirements in your area to ensure proper and cost-effective drum disposal.
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Frequently asked questions
If the drums contained hazardous materials, they must be emptied and cleaned to RCRA standards before disposal. You can then contact a specialist waste disposal company, such as Orlando Drum, Clean Harbors, or Hazardous Waste Experts, to pick up and dispose of the drums.
RCRA stands for the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. The "RCRA empty" provision exempts containers from EPA hazardous waste disposal rules, but only if all wastes are removed by pouring, pumping, aspirating, etc.
Yes, it is recommended that you take pictures of the drums before disposal. If the drum is open-head, you should take a picture of the inside. You should also provide the size, material, and number of drums, as well as the pick-up location.
Some companies, such as Orlando Drum, offer free drum recycling and disposal services. However, penalties for the improper disposal of hazardous material drums can be severe and include substantial fines and legal consequences.
