The Mid-Atlantic's leader for industrial container recycling and reconditioning
Steel Drums for Sale NJ: New and Reconditioned Steel Containers
Quality materials, start to finish.
At Patrick J. Kelly Drums, we supply new and reconditioned steel drums to industrial operations that depend on safety, compliance, and long-term value. Our family-owned team is based in Camden, NJ, and serves businesses throughout the Mid-Atlantic with steel drums for sale in NJ, PA, and DE, efficient 55-gallon steel drum disposal, and bulk container orders tailored to your operation. Every drum we receive is cleaned, inspected, and evaluated. Eligible drums are prepared for reuse, and drums that cannot be reused are recycled for steel recovery. This helps you meet your sustainability goals without sacrificing performance.
As a trusted regional seller of industrial steel drums, we offer 30-gallon, 55-gallon, and 85-gallon drums in open head and tight head options, lined or unlined. Our team brings over 40 years of hands-on experience to bulk purchases, recurring supply, and drum disposal, with customer-first support on every order.
Our Steel Drum Services
New & Reconditioned Steel Drums for Sale
We stock a full selection of industrial-grade steel drums, both new and expertly reconditioned. Each reconditioned drum goes through a rigorous process that includes cleaning, leak testing, repainting, and inspection. We're proud to be a reseller for the three major U.S. manufacturers of new drums and can supply lined or unlined, open head or tight head options, including the 55 gallon steel drum, the most widely used size in industrial packaging. Bulk orders are available for local delivery or pickup.
.jpg)
1
Steel Drum Recycling & Disposal
Steel drums past their usable life are recycled through a process that follows applicable EPA and DOT requirements. We collect and inspect incoming drums, and containers that cannot be reconditioned are crushed or processed for steel recovery so the metal stays in use. Drums must be RCRA-empty before pickup. If you're managing 55-gallon steel drum disposal, our team can schedule a professional pickup around your facility's needs. All waste is properly tracked and documented.
2
Drum Reconditioning
Reconditioning steel drums helps reduce costs, extend container life, and support your environmental goals. It also uses far less energy than manufacturing a new drum and keeps usable steel out of the landfill. Our reconditioning process includes interior cleaning, drying, leak testing, repainting, and final inspection. Drums are evaluated against applicable industry and DOT standards before returning to service, and our team can help confirm ratings and specifications for your application.
Steel Drum Availability
30-Gallon Open Head Steel Drums
-
Removable lid with bolt ring closure
-
Suited for solids, powders, adhesives, coatings, and smaller batch or waste collection needs
-
Ask about new and reconditioned availability
55-Gallon Steel Drums
-
Open head or tight head, new or reconditioned
-
Lined and unlined options
-
Built for safe storage and transport of industrial materials
-
Ask our team for exact height, diameter, and weight specs
-
Available in bulk, delivered or picked up locally
85-Gallon Overpack Drums
3
-
Heavy-duty containment for damaged or leaking containers
-
Available new and reconditioned
-
Overpack use for hazardous materials requires a properly rated drum
4
Service Area
Patrick J. Kelly Drums supplies and recycles steel drums across the Mid-Atlantic from our facilities in Camden, NJ, and Pennsauken, NJ, supported by our corporate office in New Hope, PA.
We serve manufacturers, food processors, chemical producers, and waste managers in Philadelphia, Trenton, Wilmington, Baltimore, Newark, York, and communities throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. If you've been searching for a steel drum for sale near me or need a partner for 55-gallon steel drum disposal, our regional team coordinates delivery and pickup close to your facility.
Open Head vs. Tight Head Steel Drums
Choosing the right head type starts with what you're filling.
Tight Head Steel Drums
Tight head drums have a permanently sealed top with small bung openings for controlled filling and dispensing. The closed design reduces the risk of leaks and contamination, making these drums the standard choice for liquids such as oils, fuels, solvents, lubricants, chemicals, and water. Tight head drums are most common in 55-gallon sizes and can be lined or unlined. Interior linings help protect certain products from contact with bare steel when compatible with the material, including food and beverage liquids when the drum is approved for the application.
Open Head Steel Drums
Open head drums use a removable lid secured with a bolt ring. That full-width opening makes them practical for solids, powders, pastes, semi-liquids, adhesives, coatings, and waste collection, or any material you need to access often. Many operations also use them for on-site storage of parts, absorbents, and bulk dry goods. Open head drums are available in 30-gallon and 55-gallon sizes.
New vs. Reconditioned vs. Used Steel Drums
New steel drums are factory-made and unused. They are a strong fit when your application calls for a first-use container or tight product specifications.
Reconditioned steel drums have been previously used, then cleaned, leak tested, repainted, and inspected before resale. They offer a cost-effective option for operations buying in volume and support container reuse.
Many buyers searching for used steel drums are looking for a reconditioned drum. The difference matters. A drum that has simply been used has not necessarily been cleaned or tested, while a reconditioned drum has gone through a documented process before returning to service. For most industrial applications, reconditioned is the more dependable choice.
UN Ratings and Compliance Specs
Steel drums used to ship hazardous materials must carry a UN rating suited to the material being transported. The UN marking identifies the container type, the packing groups it is approved for, and its tested limits.
Common steel drum codes include 1A1 for tight head (non-removable head) drums and 1A2 for open head (removable head) drums. The letter that follows indicates the packing groups: X covers Packing Groups I, II, and III, Y covers II and III, and Z covers III only. Liquid ratings list the maximum specific gravity and test pressure, while solid ratings list the maximum gross mass followed by an "S."
Reconditioned drums intended for hazardous materials must meet DOT requirements for reconditioned packagings under 49 CFR, including leakproofness testing and proper marking. Ratings vary from drum to drum, and material compatibility, prior contents, lining, and closure type should always be reviewed. Our team can help confirm specifications before you order.
Rugged and Reliable. Always!
We offer new and reconditioned drums for your industrial needs. Patrick Kelly Drums operates a full factory that reconditions drums (cleaning, painting, and testing) so they meet and exceed our clients' expectations. We are also a chosen reseller for the three major manufacturers of new drums, with lined and unlined, open head and tight head options in 55-gallon and 85-gallon sizes, plus 30-gallon open head drums.
All waste in the production process is properly captured, contained, and disposed of.
30 Gal Steel Open Head
55 Gal Steel Tight Head
55 Gal Steel Open Head
85 Gal Steel Overpack