Large plastic or metal storage drums are most often used for industrial purposes like shipping oil, paint, or toxic liquids. You may imagine an automatic drum filling machine injecting contents in to such containers on an assembly line. But outside of the factory and the warehouse, large plastic storage drums can find a second life around your house and garden. Consider what you might fill one with yourself.
Water
Have a gutter downspout that creates a wet, icy area around a corner of your house? Instead of letting that loose water damage your sidewalks and foundations, place a storage drum underneath it to gather up all that rainwater and keep it contained. A drum fitted with a spout can then allow you to use that liquid to water flowers or grass in your yard. Besides rainwater, drums can be a good receptacle for saving up fresh water for emergency purposes.
Storage
Speaking of emergencies, drums may be a good way to keep foodstuffs that are part of your disaster preparedness supplies. Make sure the drums you’re using are clean and safe for storing edible items. You may find them to be good for storing other essential supplies as well—or nonessential clutter you just want to put out of sight. A drum without a lid can be handy for storing recyclables until you can take them to be disposed of.
Gardening
In addition to collecting and using rainwater, drums can be a handy holders for compost. Keep it in the yard near where you’ll be sprinkling the decomposed material as a fertilizer for beautiful blooms. If you have a way to cut a drum in half, crosswise or lengthwise, the halves can become colorful planters for outdoor decor.
While they’ll always be more popular for industrial use, plastic drums can drum up some good uses around your house. Consider them for your storage needs.