Uses for non-foodgrade plastic drums

[Curtis B]

I have some empty 55 gal plastic barrels at work I need to get rid of and I have been told I can take some/all of them if I want. I figure they shouldn't be used for food or water due to the fact they contained ethylene glycol. I was going to take a few for storing scrap in, but I can't think of any other uses, except maybe a chicken plucker. For those that don't know what ethylene glycol is here is the MSDS...

http://http://www.technologylubricants.com/MSDS/MISC/MSDS/intercool%20op-100n-50%20msds.pdf


Any ideas?

[7thswan]

I have them stacked,painted black,filled with water along the north wall inthe Greenhouse as heat sink.

[Callieslamb]

can you cut holes in the sides and use them for hay feeders for smaller animals?
compost bins

[Curtis B]

Originally Posted by Callieslamb

can you cut holes in the sides and use them for hay feeders for smaller animals?
compost bins

That is what I am trying to figure out. Glycol by itself is pretty toxic if ingested(antifreeze), but it degrades in soil or water. Supposedly it can leach into the plastic, but how much and wether it will transfer to things other than liquids(supposedly it will with liquids) I haven't been able to figure out.

[Ozarks Tom]

A guy I knew made a doghouse out of an old plastic barrell. Dog died.

[copperkid3]

Originally Posted by Ozarks Tom

A guy I knew made a doghouse out of an old plastic barrell. Dog died.

*******************************
it was from old age.......

[Callieslamb]

Originally Posted by Curtis B

That is what I am trying to figure out. Glycol by itself is pretty toxic if ingested(antifreeze), but it degrades in soil or water. Supposedly it can leach into the plastic, but how much and wether it will transfer to things other than liquids(supposedly it will with liquids) I haven't been able to figure out.

that's why I suggested it for a hay feeder that they probably wont' lick rather than a grain feeder. I had to drink some stuff for a colonoscopy last week that DH said was very close to anti-freeze...... For me, I wouldn't worry about the small amounts that mihgt leach into the plastic. I wouldn't use them for long term food storage....but other things - they are probably just fine. Could you use something INSIDE the barrells - like mylar bags? With the food being in the mylar bags?

[texican]

Make great diesel barrels...

[sheepish]

Originally Posted by Curtis B

Glycol by itself is pretty toxic if ingested(antifreeze),

For ruminants, the median lethal dose is 5-10 ml per kg of body weight. I wouldn't worry about any that could be liked out of a rinsed, dry container that contained grain.

Can you rinse them at work before you bring them home, so that any residue will be left there rather than deposited on your property? If not, don't rinse anywhere near your well.

[fantasymaker]

Store water in them for a week or a summer ,whatever your comfortable with and it will be clean enough to do anything ya like with them.
feeders, feed storage ,trash cans, dog houses,mail depository, out side wash basins for hands and parts, veggie and flower pots. plant covers , mower covers ,,dog tubs,portable out house, septic tank. are a few uses that come to mind

[uncle Will in In.]

They make a good pontoon. 4 of them will float about a ton before you have to start treading water. We had one in our pond and left it there year around. Freezing didn't damage the drums.

[rags57078]

you can also cut the ends off , cut down the side lay flat with something heavy on top and use for a roof on a shed I have made several snow sleds out of them . I need to make another one and get pics

[Hexe]

We live on fairly rocky soil, it's easy to hit ledge, so instead we fill them up with rocks (cut some holes in the bottom for drainage) and use them for fenceposts.

[Silvercreek Farmer]

To elaborate on the compost bin idea, I have found they work very well for composting the "nasties" left over from butchering. Drill several drain holes in the bottom, put 6-8 inches of wood chips in the bottom, then load in the butcher scraps, then about 12" of wood chips on top. This usally gets them too heavy for dogs to knock over, and they are odorless. Left in the sun, the black ones will heat and accelerate the composting process. I usually leave them for a year or so and there are no visable remains, just nice sweet compost.

[treasureacres]

I use them for nesting boxes for turkeys and ducks.

[Ravenlost]

Former neighbors had some great chairs made out of plastic barrels. They were a lot like these: http://www.instructables.com/id/Recy...-Barrel-Chair/

[Smallfarm]

Do these barrels have the same lids as most metal drums, with the band which scures the lid? I was considering cuting some in half and putting on some type himge and using for worm beds.

[Drizler]

If you need a dry well just drill full of small holes and fill with loose stone and bury the thing. Also, Western Competition riders like them for barrel racing.

[Jolly]

I've made a small septic system with them.

[tinknal]

If you are concerned about power outages or water shortages you could use them for non potable water. Flushing toilets, washing, irrigation, etc. I would bet after several fills they would be clean enough to drink out of.