Plastic barrels have become a popular storage option for the commercial, industrial and consumer markets. Within the commercial market, plastic barrels are used for soda syrup and other food-related liquid storage. Industrial users store assorted chemicals or fuel in the barrels. Finally, the consumer market has adopted plastic barrels to store emergency water and rainwater for gardens. Because barrels with similar appearances may be used for completely different purposes, make sure you know the previous history of any barrel before you use it. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Choose the proper type of barrel. When selecting a plastic barrel, decide how you will use the barrel. For example, if you are planning to store water for a power outage or other emergency, a new plastic barrel is a good option. You can also choose a reconditioned food grade barrel. According to barrel dealer Baytec Containers, these recycled plastic barrels previously held either soda or juice, and have been exhaustively cleaned three times with antibacterial cleaner.
For the chemical, fuel, and hazardous material market, Baytec Containers recommends plastic barrels made from a high density polyethylene resin. The barrels are rigidly built and are extremely strong, making them ideal for holding chemicals and other potentially dangerous substances.
2. Select the right size barrel. If your plastic barrels will be used for water storage, for example, your storage space may dictate the size of the containers used. Although many online retailers carry 55-gallon plastic drums for water storage, it is difficult to find smaller containers. Baytec Containers stocks the 35-, 30- and 15-gallon sizes. To buy barrels from an online retailer, pre-payment via major credit or debit card will be necessary.
3. Look locally for recycled barrels. If you are looking for food grade plastic barrels, look for local companies that make or use soda syrup, juice or other liquid food items. If there is an upcoming charity event using large plastic barrels for food or beverages, offer to dispose of the containers after the event. Payment to both barrel sellers will be negotiable. Before storing any food in the barrels, ensure that only food substances have been stored in those barrels.
4. Look for the right rain barrel. If you want to store rainwater for your garden or other home applications, a specially made rain barrel is a great option. Rain Barrel Source carries a large selection of plastic rain barrels of various sizes. The barrels are attractively made, and begin at $75 for a 52-gallon knockdown plastic rain barrel. At the other end of the price spectrum, you can purchase a 300-gallon recycled plastic rain barrel for $750.
5. Browse a plastic barrel directory. ThomasNet is a comprehensive online directory for 288 manufacturers, distributors and affiliated companies in the plastic barrel industry. Each listing includes a brief company profile, lists the company's major products and provides a link to the company website. There are "Search by State" and "Comparison Between Companies" features.
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