Salvage & Overpack Drums Myers Container produces an entire line of salvage drums. These drums are designed to contain and transport a leaking drum so that it can be repackaged or sent for disposal. 85, 55, 30, 20, 10 and 8 gallon salvage drums are available is a variety of steel configurations.

SALVAGE DRUMS: Salvage drums are designed for a particular use and are regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) under 49 CFR 17.33 (c).  If a company or shipper has a leaking drum or sorbents used on a spill or leak and they wish to ship them across public roads, they must use a Salvage Drum under the restrictions of 173.3 (c).  The Salvage Drum is a drum which is larger than the leaking drum and allows the leaker to be placed inside the Salvage Drum for safe shipment to a disposal or treatment facility.  If a shipper does not follow the regulation, they are shipping illegally and could face fines levied by the DOT.

Salvage drums must pass, at a minimum, standard UN requirements for drums shipping solids as well as 3 psi air leakproof test.  If the drums meet the requirements as stipulated by DOT under 49 CFR 173.3 (c), then it is to be marked (labeled) as a Salvage drum.  Using a drum for shipping leaking drums and sorbents that does not have the words "Salvage Drum"  marked on the drum is shipping illegally.

OVERPACK DRUMS:  "Overpack drum" is a term used by the DOT to indicate a drum which is used to contain a smaller, non-leaking drum.  The integrity of the inner drum has not been breached and the shipping performance of the inner drum is still acceptable.  The overpack is simply used as additional protection for shipment of highly dangerous chemicals in the inside drum.  The DOT does not view an overpack as a Salvage Drum.  If the overpack can meet the requirements of 49 CFR 173.3 (c), then it becomes more than an overpack and if marked as a Salvage Drums, is able to be used as a Salvage Drum.