Introduction

Historically, there have been several important steps in steel drum design and selection. The drum must meet applicable regulatory and shipping mode requirements; freight protection must be ensured; and the drum must be compatible with the anticipated distribution environment — especially handling, transportation, and safety concerns. Today’s new standards of environmental responsibility require an additional consideration: performance capabilities which enhance the used container’s value and desirability for reuse. Whether reconditioned for reuse as shipping containers, or processed for steel scrap recycling, drum reconditioners ensure the safe, legal disposition of used containers. There are significant variations in these “after market” conditions; drum buyers, therefore, should inquire about factors which influence used drum value.

Selection Considerations

There are a wide variety of individual drum performance features and a broad range of local market considerations. Because of this, it is impossible to provide hard and fast rules indicating used drum desirability; each transaction should be examined within its unique circumstances. Drum users are urged to request specific details from reconditioners and dealers in their area.

Effects of Performance Specification Changes to Buyers

Changing your drum performance specifications may present cost savings (e.g., eliminating a side bung); or cost increases (e.g., going from Packing Group II to I); or be cost neutral (e.g., requiring embossment with UN marks when the buyer is filling a non-regulated product). The important point to remember, however, is that in many cases performance specification changes can result in dramatic improvements in the value of used drums and the degree of interest drum reconditioners and dealers will show in handling them.

Questions to Ask

Steel drum buyers interested in Responsible Container Management now should add to their purchasing decision making: Where will this drum be emptied? – A specific location, or region, or nationally? Who are the reconditioners and dealers in the emptier’s area? What features (e.g., UN marks and steel thickness) will reconditioners find most appealing in an emptied drum?

Summary

Drum purchasers often can reduce or eliminate problems encountered by their customers who seek safe, legal and low cost disposition of empty drums. Both parties should consider factors affecting desirability of used drums for reconditioning and reuse, in addition to their usual drum performance specifications.

Reconet (Reconditioners Network)

This network lists all Association of Container Reconditioners (ACR) members involved in a voluntary commercial service created to pro-vide a prompt, reliable, efficient, and environmentally safe disposition option for container users. Arranged by state, it lists addresses, phone and fax numbers, and the container types accepted by each company. The brochure also includes ACR’s hotline number (800) 533-3786 which customers may use to access member firms directly. The Association of Container Reconditioners is the trade group for the United States and Canadian steel drum reconditioning industries. Member companies process over 90% of the steel drums reconditioned and recycled annually. Founded in 1941, ACR has established “Responsible Container Management” as its principal program to respond to today’s strict standards of environmental responsibility.