The 55 Gallon Drum has long been a staple in industrial operations, used for storing, transporting, and managing everything from liquids and chemicals to solids and waste materials. Whether it’s a 55 Gallon Steel Drum, a Plastic 55 Gallon Drum, or another type of fifty five gallon drum, these gallon barrels have shaped supply chains and logistics for decades. However, they also come with significant drawbacks: heavy weight, inefficiency, and storage challenges. Businesses today are seeking smarter, safer, and more sustainable options. Gorilla Drum offers that solution, making it possible to store and transport materials without relying on heavy drums.
The challenges of traditional drums
A standard 55 Gallon Drum Container is bulky and rigid, weighing more than 40 pounds when made of steel and still taking up considerable space even when empty. This makes transportation expensive and warehouse storage inefficient. A 55 Gallon Barrel Metal container also corrodes over time, while even plastic alternatives lack flexibility. For companies that regularly buy 55 gallon drums, the costs and safety risks add up quickly. That’s why exploring alternatives has become a priority.
What type of drum is best for storing solid materials?
When it comes to storing solid materials, the choice of container has a direct impact on safety, efficiency, and long-term costs. Solids—whether powders, grains, pharmaceuticals, or industrial waste—require a container that can be easily accessed, safely sealed, and moved without difficulty. For decades, the industry default has been the 55 Gallon Drum, with both steel and plastic versions in use. But as logistics and workplace demands evolve, businesses are reconsidering which type of drum truly serves their needs best.
Traditional options: steel and plastic drums
Open-head 55 Gallon Steel Drums have historically been used for storing solids. Their removable lids allow for quick loading and unloading, and their durability makes them suitable for heavy or abrasive contents. A 55 Gallon Barrel Metal option is strong but comes with drawbacks: it weighs more than 40 pounds empty, is prone to corrosion, and requires heavy equipment for safe handling.
Plastic 55 Gallon Drums provide another option. These are lighter than steel and resistant to rust, making them effective in outdoor or humid environments. However, they are still rigid and bulky, occupying the same amount of space whether full or empty. For businesses that buy 55 gallon drums in large volumes, this lack of flexibility leads to significant storage inefficiencies.
Key factors in choosing a drum for solids
When evaluating which type of drum is best for storing solid materials, businesses need to consider:
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Accessibility: Open-head drums are more practical than closed-head versions for loading solids.
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Durability: Steel offers strength, while plastic offers corrosion resistance.
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Handling requirements: Heavy drums require forklifts or specialized equipment, adding costs and safety risks.
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Space efficiency: Rigid gallon barrels cannot collapse, leading to wasted warehouse space.
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Regulatory compliance: Containers must meet industry-specific safety standards, particularly when storing hazardous solids.
Each of these factors affects not only the usability of the drum but also the overall cost of operations.
Modern alternatives: collapsible polypropylene drums
While steel and plastic drums continue to dominate the market, collapsible polypropylene alternatives like Gorilla Drum are redefining what businesses can expect from a 55 Gallon Drum Container. With a full 55-gallon capacity, Gorilla Drum is engineered specifically to handle both liquids and solids. Its collapsible frame makes it far more efficient to store when not in use, while its reinforced structure ensures it can safely hold solid materials without risk of rupture.
For industries handling bulk solids, Gorilla Drum eliminates the need for forklifts or drum handlers by weighing only 7.5 pounds unfilled. Integrated lift loops, dolly straps, and reinforced zippers make it easier for workers to safely manage contents. This dramatically reduces workplace injuries and labor costs while maintaining full compliance for solid material storage.
Why Gorilla Drum is the better choice
When compared to a standard 55 Gallon Barrel, Gorilla Drum delivers the same volume but with greater benefits. It reduces warehouse clutter, simplifies transportation, and eliminates the problems of rust or corrosion that plague a 55 Gallon Barrel Metal or Plastic 55 Gallon Drum. For businesses that frequently search for a 55 gallon drum for sale, switching to collapsible alternatives means gaining a container that is not only reliable for storing solids but also more sustainable and cost-effective over time.
By considering both traditional and modern options, it’s clear that the best type of drum for storing solid materials is one that balances durability, accessibility, and efficiency. Gorilla Drum offers that balance, outperforming rigid gallon barrels in every category.
How to transport a 55 gallon drum?
Transporting a 55 Gallon Drum has always been one of the most labor-intensive and risk-prone aspects of industrial operations. A filled fifty five gallon drum can weigh between 400 and 600 pounds depending on the contents, which means improper handling is not only inefficient but also unsafe. Companies that regularly use gallon barrels know that transportation requires planning, specialized equipment, and strict adherence to safety regulations.
Traditional transportation methods
The standard 55 Gallon Steel Drum is extremely durable, but its weight makes it difficult to maneuver without equipment. Pallet jacks, forklifts, and drum lifters are commonly used to move these containers around warehouses or onto trucks. Some facilities employ drum dollies, which allow for easier rolling of 55 Gallon Barrel Metal containers over short distances. However, each of these methods requires training and adds additional costs for labor and equipment.
Plastic 55 Gallon Drums are lighter, but once filled, they can still weigh hundreds of pounds, which means they require similar handling precautions. Whether steel or plastic, gallon barrels must be properly secured during transportation to prevent shifting or tipping, which could cause spills, contamination, or injury.
Safety considerations
Transporting a 55 Gallon Barrel also involves strict compliance with Department of Transportation (DOT) and UN/DOT regulations. Drums classified as bulk packaging require proper labeling, placards, and documentation, especially when carrying hazardous materials. For businesses that buy 55 gallon drums frequently, failing to follow these rules can lead to fines, accidents, or environmental damage.
Additionally, workers face risks when moving heavy drums. Rolling drums manually across floors or loading them without proper tools can lead to back injuries, crushed fingers, or slips from spilled materials. This makes it essential to use the right equipment and follow safety guidelines whenever moving gallon barrels.
Modern solutions with Gorilla Drum
The inefficiencies of transporting traditional drums are one of the main reasons businesses are turning to alternatives like Gorilla Drum. Unlike rigid containers, Gorilla Drum collapses flat when empty, allowing far more units to be transported in a single load. A truck that typically fits about 208 steel drums can carry more than 4,000 collapsed Gorilla Drums. This dramatically reduces freight costs and increases efficiency in logistics.
Even when filled, Gorilla Drum is easier to handle. Integrated lift loops, dolly straps, and reinforced construction ensure the same level of safety as a 55 Gallon Steel Drum while reducing the strain on workers. At only 7.5 pounds unfilled, preparing drums for transport is faster, safer, and less resource-intensive.
Why collapsible drums are the future of transport
For companies managing large volumes of solids or liquids, the transportation of gallon barrels can quickly become one of the most expensive parts of their supply chain. By adopting collapsible alternatives, businesses cut costs, lower injury risks, and improve sustainability. Gorilla Drum provides the same fifty five gallon drum capacity but with advantages that directly address the transportation challenges industries have faced for decades.
How to handle 55 gallon drums?
Handling a 55 Gallon Drum safely and efficiently has always been a priority in industrial operations. Because a filled fifty five gallon drum can weigh several hundred pounds, improper handling poses risks to both workers and materials. Whether the drum is made of steel or plastic, companies that use gallon barrels regularly must invest in proper training, equipment, and processes to ensure safety and compliance.
Traditional handling challenges
A 55 Gallon Steel Drum is extremely strong but also extremely heavy. Workers cannot safely lift or maneuver these drums without mechanical assistance. In many facilities, forklifts, drum clamps, or hydraulic lifts are required just to move drums from one place to another. Even a Plastic 55 Gallon Drum, though lighter when empty, becomes just as difficult to handle once filled with liquids or solids. This dependency on specialized equipment increases labor costs, slows operations, and creates additional safety hazards.
Common risks include:
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Back and musculoskeletal injuries from attempting to tilt or roll drums manually.
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Crushing injuries from dropped or improperly secured drums.
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Chemical spills or product loss when gallon barrels are mishandled.
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Warehouse inefficiencies when workers must wait for equipment to become available.
For businesses that regularly buy 55 gallon drums, these risks and costs accumulate quickly.
Best practices for safe handling
Traditionally, facilities have followed a few core practices to manage the handling of 55 Gallon Barrel Metal or plastic containers:
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Use mechanical aids: Dollies, hand trucks, and forklifts reduce physical strain and improve safety.
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Train employees: Workers should be trained in how to secure drums, use handling tools, and recognize potential hazards.
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Proper storage: Stacking drums correctly and securing them with straps or bands prevents accidents.
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Personal protective equipment: Gloves, steel-toed boots, and protective clothing are often required when working with heavy gallon barrels.
These practices are necessary, but they don’t eliminate the underlying inefficiencies of handling rigid, heavy drums.
How Gorilla Drum simplifies handling
This is where Gorilla Drum provides a clear advantage. With a weight of just 7.5 pounds when unfilled, Gorilla Drum eliminates the strain of handling traditional drums. Its collapsible design means workers can move and store the drums without relying exclusively on forklifts or heavy-duty dollies. Features like integrated lift loops, reinforced zippers, and dolly straps are specifically designed to make handling safer and more convenient.
Instead of requiring large crews or heavy equipment to reposition gallon barrels, workers can safely handle Gorilla Drum with minimal effort. This not only reduces injury risk but also improves productivity by streamlining warehouse and field operations.
A smarter, safer alternative
When evaluating how to handle 55 Gallon Drums, it’s clear that the traditional methods are outdated and costly. While steel and plastic drums remain common, they demand more equipment, more labor, and more safety protocols. Gorilla Drum provides the same fifty five gallon drum capacity but eliminates the weight and rigidity issues that make handling difficult. For companies looking for safer and more efficient operations, Gorilla Drum represents the next generation of storage and transportation containers.
Complete guidance on alternatives
The fifty five gallon drum has served industries for decades, but its limitations are becoming more evident as businesses demand efficiency and sustainability. Modern alternatives like Gorilla Drum provide the same capacity with greater benefits. To help companies evaluate their options, the Complete Guide To Choosing The Right 55 Gallon Drum Alternative offers an in-depth comparison of steel, plastic, and collapsible polypropylene containers. This resource provides insights into safety, compliance, and cost considerations, ensuring businesses can make the best decision for their operations.
Industry applications for collapsible alternatives
Gorilla Drum isn’t just a general-purpose replacement—it’s a solution designed for multiple industries:
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Hazardous materials management: Certified for hazardous liquids and solids across multiple classes.
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Logistics and shipping: Reduces freight costs by maximizing truckload efficiency.
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Laboratories and healthcare: Provides safe, lightweight handling for sensitive products.
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Food and beverage: Suitable for food-grade storage with less waste and easier handling.
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Environmental projects: Effective for recycling programs and waste management where flexibility is key.
By integrating Gorilla Drum into these industries, businesses gain both regulatory compliance and operational efficiency.
Cost and sustainability advantages
While a 55 Gallon Barrel remains widely available, the long-term costs of steel or plastic drums are significant. Businesses that regularly buy 55 gallon drums must pay not only for the drums themselves but also for the additional shipping, handling, storage, and disposal expenses. Over time, these costs outweigh the initial savings of purchasing traditional drums.
Collapsible alternatives like Gorilla Drum reduce those costs. With fewer trucks needed, less warehouse space consumed, and recyclable materials used in production, Gorilla Drum supports both financial savings and environmental sustainability. Companies no longer need to compromise between safety, compliance, and efficiency.
Final thoughts
The fifty five gallon drum has been an industry standard, but its heavy weight and rigid design create significant inefficiencies. Gorilla Drum offers a modern, collapsible, and lightweight alternative that makes it easier to store, transport, and handle materials without the drawbacks of traditional gallon barrels. For businesses seeking to modernize their logistics and improve safety, Gorilla Drum is the clear choice.
To learn more about how Gorilla Drum can help you store and transport materials without heavy drums, call +1 800-758-8079 today.