Items Perfect for Plastic Barrels

You can store a wide variety of items in plastic barrels, including both dry and liquid products. While they're not suitable for everything, they may be your only option if you're looking to ship one of the items on this list:

• Acids and Other Corrosive Materials: Corrosive materials like sodium hydroxide and nitric acid will wear away at metal drums and other types of storage containers. That's why you need the security of plastic. Acids won't eat away at plastic, so you can be sure your container and the liquid itself will remain intact during transportation.

• Lubricants, Detergents, Coolants and Surfactants: If you're in the business of transporting lubricants or other products susceptible to oxidation and reduction, you'll need a nonreactive container like a 55 gallon plastic drum. The plastic won't cause your materials to oxidize, so you won't have to worry about the shipment arriving underweight. If you use another type of container, there's a chance you might lose some of your product to oxidation along the way.

• Food and Beverages: Plastic drums work well for food and beverages. Before you store your food products in a drum, make sure it has a food grade symbol, usually located on the bottom of the container. Food products that are well-suited to plastic barrels include grains, herbs and dry goods like flour and sugar. Plastic tends to absorb the flavor and smell of food and beverages, so you may want to line the barrel unless you're transporting water or other types of flavorless products.

• Flammable Materials: Only certain types of plastic barrels can be used to transport flammable liquids like gas. You'll need to check with the manufacturer to make sure the container is compatible with your products. If it is, your flammable materials will stay safe while in transit.

• Pharmaceuticals: Need to ship a large quantity of pills? Plastic barrels prevent your pharmaceutical products from getting mashed or destroyed. They're also leak-proof, so there's no chance of water getting in and turning your pills to mush