Plastic Drums and Other Shipping Containers

Increasingly, plastic pallets are being used in place of wooden pallets for product distribution. Although the cost of a plastic pallet can be four times the cost of a wooden pallet, its lifetime is usually much longer, typically five to nine years. Repair of broken plastic pallets is not usually feasible, but they are recyclable. Consequently, there is frequently an overall economic advantage to using plastic pallets. Because plastic pallets represent a substantial investment, their use is most suitable in situations where the distribution environment is relatively controlled, so that loss can be minimized. 

Some designs for plastic shipping containers combine the functions of pallet and container. These packages are often designed to be collapsible for economy in storage and shipping when empty. 

High molecular weight HDPE is increasingly being used for drums, pails, totes, and similar shipping containers, as an alternative to steel and fiherboard. Plastic drums are often used for chemicals, and are also used frequently in the food-processing industry. Standard drum sizes in North America are 57, 76, 114, 132, 208, and 

216 L (15, 20, 30, 35, 55, and 57 gal), with 208 L (55 gal) used most often. Drums are categorized as closed-head (or tight-head) or open-top. Open-top drums are used mostly for water-based products, and are easier to clean and reuse. Plastic drums are permissible for shipment of hazardous materiais provided the appropriate testing has been done and the containers are properly labeled. 

Another use of plastic in drums is as a polyethylene liner in a steel drum. The liner adds chemical resistance and simplifies cleaning and reuse of the drum, since it can be discarded and replaced with a new liner. 

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