Introduction
We collect used, clean empty metal and plastic drums from campus units that receive bulk chemicals. We reuse them to store and ship out hazardous waste. This program saves the UW up to $10,000 a year.
We also accept damaged and rusted metal drums from campus. We send them to a drum recycler who reconditions some and recycles the rest.
How to recycle your drums
If you have metal or plastic drums to recycle, please make sure that they are "drip dry". We can provide you with a siphon to help you remove the last few inches of product at the bottom of your drum.
Label your drums "empty, ready for EH&S pickup" with a contact name and phone number. We have special labels for this purpose. Then, email chmwaste@u.washington.edu to request a pickup. Please state your location, your routine number if you have one, and the number of drums for pickup.
Please do not leave drums out on your loading dock; notify us as soon as possible. We pick them up within several working days.
Types of drums accepted
 We accept all drums 30 gallons or greater. We use these to ship hazardous waste in, as shown to the right.
We also accept smaller metal drums for metal recycling.
Smaller plastic drums should be rinsed, dried, and placed in the trash. If they previously contained chemicals, deface their labels, bag them, and label them "non-hazardous" so that custodial staff know that they are safe to handle. There is currently no economically defensible way to recycle these smaller plastic drums.
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