Consumer use of barrels to capture and store rainwater is a growing trend. Making your own rain barrel lets you help the environment and save money. Many people who use rain barrels say they actually see financial benefits via a decrease in their water bill. Once you locate a reliable source of 30- to 55-gallon barrels, you will be ready to make your own rain barrel. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Identify companies in your area that use food-grade barrels. They may receive their shipments of raw materials for production in 30- to 55-gallon barrels.
2. Check Pepsi and Coke plants. They often sell their barrels to consumers or environmental nonprofit organizations for less than $10. Contact other soft drink bottlers, pickle manufacturers, juice companies and car washes. A few consumers have reported getting used barrels from local food processors and car washes at no cost.
3. Try your municipal water department. Some cities collaborate with the Environmental Protection Agency and nonprofit conservation organizations to provide free or low-cost rain barrels and help with construction. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Water Department's rain barrels are free. Montgomery County, Maryland, has "Make-and-Take" rain barrel construction workshops. Austin, Texas, and other cities sell rain barrels at discount prices.
4. Visit the Global Recycling Network website to find individuals and companies that recycle food-grade barrels. Most are inexpensive compared to retail offerings. You can find barrels for as little as $5 in various regions of the country. You can also post a request for barrels and let sellers contact you with offers.
5. Search local Craigslist, Backpage or Kijiji ads for rain barrels for sale. Some enterprising consumers buy them in bulk from recyclers and food processors. Then they resell them.
6. Check your local Freecycle Network or a similar group that facilitates consumer-to-consumer recycling programs. Members who have items that they want to give away post messages in Yahoo! Groups that Freecycle organizes by location.
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