Recycling or reconditioning chemical drums eliminates these large items form the waste stream and removes them from sites where they may cause contamination or safety issues.
Chemical Drums
material
Chemical Drums
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Why Recycle?
Chemical drums are made from recyclable materials, primarily plastics and steel. Recycling or reconditioning chemical drums diverts a stream of large waste items from landfill and preserves the natural resources needed to produce drums from 'virgin' or new materials. By utilising a recycling service this also removes potentially hazardous waste, helping to avoid contamination and improving safety.
Recycling Options?
drumMUSTER is the national program that has been set up for the collection and recycling of cleaned eligible non-returnable crop production and on-farm animal health chemical containers. This is a free drop-off service and containers must carry the drumMUSTER logo to be eligible. The program will not accept petroleum or liquid chlorine containers that are used for non-agricultural purposes, or intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) for reconditioning.
ChemClear, a sister program to drumMUSTER, is Australia’s only Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program operating for AgVet chemicals and is an initiative of the Industry Waste Reduction Scheme (IWRS). Its aim is to safely dispose of unwanted AgVet chemicals.
In addition to this program, a number of commercial operators will purchase or accept chemical drums for recycling or reconditioning for resale. This may be through a pick-up or drop-off service.
What Happens When They're Recycled?
Reconditioning: Intermediate bulk containers that are collected for reconditioning are cleaned and repaired where needed, such as the replacement of closures and lids. These drums are then resold.
Recycling: Drums must be triple-rinsed and punctured before they can be accepted for crushing. Once crushed the metal drums are transported to Melbourne for recycling. Reusable plastic drums will be returned to the relevant chemical company. Non-reusable drums will be shredded and recycled for uses such as plastic culvert pipes.
More Info & Sources
drumMuster online or call 1800 008 707
