Revitalizing Your Shipping Containers: A Comprehensive Guide To Reconditioned Drums

In today’s business landscape, efficiency and sustainability go hand in hand. One of the most effective ways to reduce costs and environmental impact is by reusing and reconditioning shipping barrels and industrial drums. If your business regularly handles large volumes of steel, plastic, or fiberboard containers, you may be wondering whether reconditioning is a viable option. The good news is that properly refurbished drums can be just as reliable and cost-effective as new ones—while also reducing waste and improving logistics.

The Benefits of Reconditioned Drums

Reconditioning steel, plastic, and fiberboard drums provides numerous advantages for companies looking to improve operational efficiency and sustainability.

Significant Cost Savings – Reconditioned barrels are often more affordable than new ones, allowing businesses to allocate budgets more effectively.
Eco-Friendly Solution – Reusing drums reduces industrial waste, minimizing the need for raw materials and production energy.
Durability and Longevity – Modern shipping barrels are built for multiple reuse cycles, making them an economical long-term investment.
Customizable Cleaning and Reshaping – Depending on the material, barrels can be deep cleaned, reshaped, and tested to meet safety and compliance standards.
Regulatory Compliance – Properly reconditioned drums meet UN and DOT safety requirements, ensuring they are safe for transport and storage.

With these benefits, it’s no surprise that reconditioned drums are widely used across manufacturing, logistics, chemical, food processing, and industrial sectors.

A 55 gallon drum, exaggerated in size for dramatic effect, undergoing the reconditioning process.

How the Reconditioning Process Works

Reconditioning a drum depends on its material and previous use. Some materials require intensive cleaning and reshaping, while others can be refurbished more easily.

Steel Drums

Steel drums undergo the most extensive reconditioning process to ensure they meet leak-proof and safety standards.

Open Head Drums – These are treated with high-temperature incineration to remove residues, then reshaped using pneumatic tools to restore their original form. They are then deep cleaned and tested to verify structural integrity.
Closed Head Drums – These require thorough interior and exterior steam cleaning with industrial-strength cleaning agents. Some closed head drums are converted into open head drums to facilitate further cleaning and reuse.

Every reconditioned steel drum at Dallas Steel Drums is rigorously tested for leaks and durability, ensuring compliance with UN safety standards.

Plastic Drums

Plastic drums follow a simpler but equally effective refurbishment process:

Alternating soaking and pressurized cleaning remove all residues.
The interior is dried and thoroughly tested to ensure leak-proof performance.

IBC Totes

Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC totes) require both structural and internal reconditioning:

The metal framework is inspected and repaired.
The internal plastic compartment is deep cleaned, following methods similar to plastic drum reconditioning.
Every tote is evaluated for structural soundness before reuse.

Fiberboard Containers

Reconditioning fiber drums depends on their internal lining:

Only fiber drums with internal plastic liners can be reconditioned.
The liner is cleaned using specialized processes similar to plastic drum reconditioning.

Is Reconditioning Right for Your Business?

Before deciding to recondition barrels, consider the following:

Current condition of your drums – Are they structurally sound?
Intended use – Will reconditioned drums meet your safety and compliance requirements?
Cost-benefit analysis – Does reconditioning offer a better ROI than purchasing new barrels?

Explore Reconditioned Drums at Dallas Steel Drums

At Dallas Steel Drums, we specialize in high-quality reconditioned steel, plastic, and fiberboard drums, offering cost-effective and environmentally friendly solutions for businesses across multiple industries. Our reconditioning process ensures compliance, reliability, and safety, so you can reduce costs without compromising performance.

Looking for reconditioned shipping barrels? Contact Dallas Steel Drums today and find the right solution for your business.