Banging the drum on proper drum storage and returns

BOSS Lubricants cannot accept ‘empty’ drums from customers that still contain product

CALGARY, Canada (April 3, 2023)—When is an empty drum not empty?

It’s actually written into law.

An “empty container,” according to Canadian environmental and transportation regulations, contains less than 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) of the original contents, or less than 3% of the original contents, whichever is the smaller amount.

Unless that’s the case, we can’t take it back.

“We wanted to let our valued customers know that it’s illegal for us to take back empty containers with too much product left in the drum,” says Jarrett Flegel, President and Chief Operations Officer at BOSS Lubricants.

“If it’s over that threshold, then you’re creating strain on the entire chain of custody, an extra burden of dealing with hazardous waste, and disposal fees—not to mention the fact that the customer must provide SDS (safety data sheet) paperwork, and validation of the container’s contents,” he adds.

“But there’s an easy solution—just make sure your empty drums are actually empty.”

In recent weeks, BOSS has produced and distributed to our customers a fact sheet on proper drum storage and returns. The fact sheet can be viewed or downloaded via this link.

Beyond the regulatory aspect, Flegel notes that the drum return process is a matter of dollars and sense for our customers.

“If you’ve got three inches of product in the bottom of that drum, you’re talking about wasted money,” he says. “Emptying remaining product into 5-gallon pails means you get the most out of the product you’ve already bought.”