Reconditioned Steel drums vs Plastic drums vs IBCs
What is reconditioning?
Reconditioning is the process of revitalizing a used steel drum, plastic drum and IBC. They often go through a cleaning, repairing, repainting, and inspecting process. During the inspecting process, it may even be normal to go through another round of reconditioning if it does not pass the inspection criteria. However, reconditioning is not the same as a used drum. Reconditioning offers far more benefits such as extending the life of the drum and allowing it look and function better than a used drum.
Steel drums vs plastic drums vs IBCs – What’s the main differences?
1. Reconditioning process
The reconditioning process for steel drums differ from plastics and IBCs in the exterior paint coating step. This is due to the nature of the steel material. Without coating, steel drums are highly prone to rusting which reduces the durability of your steel drum over time.
2. Carbon footprint savings from reconditioning
IBCs generates the most carbon footprint savings when compared to its newly manufactured process with the highest being 69%. The next is steel drums and the least is plastic drums. Despite being the least, plastic drums can still be recycled even if it cannot be reconditioned
3. Recyclability
Technically, the reconditioning process itself is an act of recycling so we would have to if a drum can be reconditioned, it is recycled. However, what about the later part of the lifecycle where the only option is to scrap it? Which of these materials can be recycled? The good news is that steel drums can be recycled, even if it is rusted. Certain plastics can also be recycled depending on the type of plastic used.
