Drum waste management services

Cleanaway provides safe and compliant collection, disposal and recycling services for all types of industrial drum waste, including hazardous contents.
about

About

Industrial drum waste
disposal and recycling

Cleanaway provides complete drum waste solutions for businesses with chemical containers, used drums and bulk liquid packaging. Whether you’re storing oils, solvents, cleaning agents or hazardous substances, our services ensure that every drum is collected, treated or disposed of safely and in line with environmental regulations. We aim to recover resources wherever possible, diverting drums from landfill so that the plastic or metal containers – and even the drum contents itself in some cases – can be given a second life.

We support a diverse range of industries with drum waste management, from manufacturing and mining to automotive and agriculture. Through our purpose-built fleet, specialised equipment and highly trained personnel, we ensure safe, efficient and compliant handling of all hazardous and non-hazardous drum contents, as well as their containers.

Cleanaway partners with drumMUSTER and is certified to Australian standards for quality, environment and occupational health and safety so you can trust that your drum waste is managed the right way, every time.

Empty or residual product drums

Includes steel or plastic drums that have contained oils, fuels, chemicals, food products, or other liquids, with only minimal residue remaining.

Plastic and metal barrels inside warehouse. Storage chemical products. IBC container with blue liquid. Chemical warehouse inside industrial building. Multi-tiered racks for storing barrels in hangar

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Damaged, contaminated, or non-reusable drums

Covers drums that are corroded, cracked, heavily soiled, or unsuitable for reuse, which are sent for decontamination, recycling, or safe disposal in compliance with regulations.

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Service

Compliance and safety measures

Throughout the entire process, hazardous and non-hazardous drum waste is handled in accordance with all relevant regulations.

Environment Protection Authority (EPA) regulations across all Australian states and territories 

Dangerous goods transport and segregation rules 

Work health and safety (WHS) compliance

Australian Waste Tracking Certificates (AWTC) where applicable

drumMUSTER accreditation for eligible agriculture chemical drums

We'll work with you to ensure your regulatory requirements are met

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Process

What we do with your drum waste

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Collection
We deliver compliant containers or arrange collection of used drums (empty or containing residue) directly from your premises, tailoring pick-up frequency to your operational needs.
 
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Transport
All drums are moved via EPA-compliant vehicles, tracked through waste transport certificates or waste tracking systems.
 
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Assessment and processing
Drums are sorted by material, emptied of residual liquids (if applicable) and undergo triple-rinse or steam-cleaning when required.
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Recovery or destruction
Steel and plastic drums are processed for recycling where possible with steel drums being crushed and plastic drums shredded and processed into pellets. Hazardous residues are treated, stabilised or incinerated at licensed facilities and non-hazardous drum waste is either recovered or safely disposed of, depending on the type of material.
details

Details

Equipment and infrastructure for drum waste treatment and disposal

Cleanaway’s drum waste services are supported by advanced systems and treatment infrastructure including:
 

Automated drum washers and steam-cleaning units

For internal and external decontamination

Crushers and shredders

For volume reduction of metal and plastic drums

Solvent recovery and oil-water separation systems

To manage and reclaim liquid residues inside containers

Secure incineration and disposal

Of hazardous contents at EPA-licensed facilities

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Output

What happens to your drum waste

Cleanaway is committed to resource recovery at every opportunity. We treat and clean drums and containers so that these valuable materials can be put back into circulation wherever possible. Recycled plastic and metal drums can be transformed into a range of products, like new drums, industrial containers and automotive parts, helping to conserve natural resources and reduce waste going to landfill.

For the waste contained within the drums, we evaluate the contents and recommend a compliant disposal and or recovery pathway depending on the materials.

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Our promise

Why choose Cleanaway

  • A one-stop solution

    We offer an expansive range of services, custom waste solutions and expert support to meet the waste management and resource recovery needs of Australian businesses, councils and industries of any size. 

  • Optimised waste management solutions

    Our team of resource recovery professionals work closely with you to find the best waste management solution for your business, helping you achieve potential cost savings while working towards your sustainability goals.

  • Streamlined services

    We offer a total waste management solution, providing you with seamless customer service, one invoice and consistent, reliable services.

  • Nationwide service you can count on

    With a vast national network of specialised facilities and one of the largest waste collection fleets on Australian roads, we deliver efficient and reliable service across most of Australia.