How I Recycled 55-Gallon Plastic Drums for My Business (And Why I Chose SeraphimPlastics.com)
Running a manufacturing business comes with its fair share of logistical headaches. One of the issues I never expected to encounter was what to do with dozens of empty 55-gallon plastic drums. After months of letting them pile up in our warehouse, I knew something had to change. What started as a nuisance turned into a learning experience in industrial plastic recycling—and it led me to discover SeraphimPlastics.com, a company that not only solved my problem but added value back to my operations.
In this post, I’ll walk you through my full experience: why I needed to recycle plastic drums, how I chose Seraphim Plastics, the step-by-step process of recycling, and the surprising benefits it brought to my business.
The Problem: 55-Gallon Drums Taking Over My Warehouse
We operate a small industrial supply company based just outside of Nashville, Tennessee. As part of our logistics process, we receive bulk cleaning agents and specialty lubricants delivered in 55-gallon high-density polyethylene (HDPE) drums. At first, I thought we could reuse them. But within a few months, we had over 50 empty drums collecting dust.
Why I Couldn’t Just Throw Them Away
I initially thought I could have them hauled off with our regular industrial waste, but that came with extra costs—and some vendors wouldn’t even take them. The bigger concern? Environmental regulations. These drums are made of HDPE plastic, which is not biodegradable. Improper disposal can result in fines or environmental damage, not to mention a bad look for a company trying to maintain an eco-friendly image.
I realized that I had a growing pile of potential waste on my hands and no plan to deal with it.
Searching for a Recycling Partner
Like any business owner, I turned to Google to figure out what to do. I searched:
“How to recycle 55-gallon plastic drums in Tennessee”
That’s when I came across SeraphimPlastics.com.
Why Seraphim Plastics Stood Out
I explored several options, but Seraphim Plastics immediately stood out for a few reasons:
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They specialize in industrial plastic recycling—not just general household waste.
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Their website clearly listed the types of plastics they accept, and HDPE drums were on the list.
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They offer pick-up services for qualifying bulk loads.
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They serve the Tennessee area, including my region.
The best part? Their blog post titled “What to Know About Recycling Plastic Drums” gave me confidence that they weren’t just middlemen—they knew their stuff.
Making the Call: First Contact With SeraphimPlastics.com
I submitted a contact form on their website, including details about:
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My location
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The number of plastic drums I had (55)
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The material type (HDPE)
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Whether they were cleaned and free of residue
Within 24 hours, I got a call from a representative. They were professional, asked the right questions, and offered free pick-up if I could stage the drums for loading.
I was impressed. No haggle. No red tape. Just straightforward industrial recycling.
Preparing the Drums for Pick-Up
Before they could be hauled away, Seraphim Plastics asked me to ensure:
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Each drum was clean and empty – No leftover chemicals or residue.
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Lids removed or open – To make visual inspection easy.
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Material clearly HDPE (#2 plastic) – Most drums have this marking.
I got our warehouse crew to line the drums along a wall near the loading dock. The process took less than a day to organize.
Logistics Made Easy
On the scheduled day, their driver showed up on time, brought a forklift, and loaded everything within 45 minutes. The efficiency was incredible. No disruption to our daily operations. No landfill. No hassle.
What Happens to Recycled Drums?
Here’s what I learned from Seraphim’s website and our follow-up conversation:
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The drums are shredded and ground into HDPE flakes or pellets.
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These are then sold to manufacturers who use them to make:
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New containers
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Automotive parts
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Plastic pallets
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Agricultural products
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The entire process keeps plastic in the circular economy instead of the landfill.
This was not just “waste disposal”—this was responsible recycling.
The Financial and Environmental ROI
Here’s the part that surprised me most:
1. Cost Savings
I was previously quoted $350 to $500 to have the drums hauled away as industrial waste.
Seraphim Plastics picked them up for free.
2. Warehouse Space Reclaimed
Freeing up ~200 square feet of warehouse space helped streamline our inventory system.
3. ESG and Sustainability Reporting
We’re not a huge company, but we still publish an annual operations impact statement. Now I could proudly list:
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“55 HDPE drums recycled”
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“Approx. 880 pounds of plastic diverted from landfill”
It’s something our customers and vendors noticed and appreciated.
Why I Recommend SeraphimPlastics.com
After working with them, I’ve started recommending Seraphim Plastics to:
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Other small manufacturers in my network
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Automotive suppliers in the area
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Warehouse managers drowning in plastic waste
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Packaging and bottling companies who rely on HDPE materials
Their customer service, industry expertise, and local focus make them the kind of partner I’d work with again in a heartbeat.
Tips for Other Business Owners Looking to Recycle Plastic Drums
If you’re in the same boat I was, here’s what I suggest:
✅ Know Your Plastic
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Check for the recycling symbol: Look for #2 (HDPE).
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Avoid contamination. Clean and dry is essential.
✅ Quantify Your Inventory
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Seraphim often requires bulk quantities—20 or more units for pickup.
✅ Label and Sort
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Separate drums from other plastics (pallets, totes, crates).
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Don’t mix in metal, cardboard, or trash.
✅ Contact SeraphimPlastics.com Early
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Don’t wait until the drums take over your warehouse.
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The sooner you set up the process, the smoother it goes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Do they accept other types of plastic?
Yes—Seraphim Plastics accepts a wide range of post-industrial plastic including:
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Plastic pallets
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Totes
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Crates
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Knock-down bins
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Regrind, purge, spurs, and runners
More details are on their website: seraphimplastics.com
Q: Do they pay for plastic?
It depends on the volume, cleanliness, and type. For our drums, they provided free pickup (saving us money), but for larger or more valuable loads, they may offer a rebate.
Q: Do they serve other states?
Yes, they serve multiple states in the Southeast and Midwest including Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, Michigan, Georgia, and more.
Final Thoughts
If you’re like me and you’ve been staring at a mountain of empty plastic drums, don’t wait. It’s not just a space issue—it’s a business opportunity to save money, reduce waste, and do the right thing.
Working with SeraphimPlastics.com turned what I thought was a waste management headache into an operational win. They were responsive, professional, and gave me peace of mind knowing my materials were being reused responsibly.