How to Dispose of a Rain Barrel the Right Way

How to dispose of a rain barrel is simple once it is empty and stripped. Most rain barrels are 50 to 80 gallon plastic drums, often high-density polyethylene, with a brass or plastic spigot, an overflow fitting, and a mesh screen. A barrel in decent shape is easy to give away to another gardener. A cracked or brittle one can go to bulky pickup or a transfer station, or be cut into pieces for the regular trash. Some recycling centers accept large rigid plastics, but most curbside programs do not.

Drain and clean

Empty the water onto the lawn or a garden bed, not into a storm drain, since barrels can hold debris, mosquito larvae, and roof grit. Rinse the inside and let it dry. If the barrel held anything other than rainwater, such as food products or chemicals from a previous life, check what it was before reusing or recycling. See do not pressure wash into a storm drain.

Strip the fittings

Brass spigots and fittings are worth keeping for a replacement barrel or adding to a scrap metal bucket. See how to dispose of garden hoses.

Recycling the barrel

HDPE drums are recyclable in principle, and some drop-off centers accept “bulky rigid plastics” like barrels, laundry baskets, and kiddie pools. Curbside programs generally exclude them because they will not fit sorting equipment. Ask your transfer station or recycling center. Remove all metal and dirt first.

Cutting it down

To fit a barrel in a trash cart, cut it into panels with a reciprocating saw or jigsaw. Wear gloves and eye protection, since cut edges can be sharp. Bag the pieces or stack them inside the cart.

Reuse and repurpose

• Give it to a neighbor or community garden.
• Cut it in half for planters or compost bins.
• Use it to store garden stakes, leaves, or soil.
• Patch small leaks with a plastic repair kit or a bulkhead fitting.

Many cities and conservation districts promote rain barrels, so working barrels rarely go unclaimed.

Winter cracks

Barrels left full over winter can crack when water freezes. If yours survived, drain it each fall and store it upside down to extend its life.

Wooden and decorative barrels

Wooden whiskey or wine barrels used for rainwater go in bulky waste. Their steel hoops can go to scrap, and intact barrels often sell as planters. Plastic flower pot rules may help with smaller planters. See how to dispose of plastic flower pots.

How to dispose of a rain barrel FAQ

Can a rain barrel go in curbside recycling?

Usually not. Some drop-off centers accept bulky rigid plastics.

Where do I empty a rain barrel?

Onto the lawn or a garden bed, not into a storm drain.

Can I fix a leaking rain barrel?

Small leaks can often be patched or fixed with new fittings.

Is the brass spigot worth saving?

Yes, reuse it on a new barrel or add it to scrap brass.

How do I fit a rain barrel in the trash?

Cut it into panels with a saw and bag or stack them.

The bottom line

How to dispose of a rain barrel: drain it onto the yard, rinse it, strip the spigot and fittings, then give it away, recycle it where bulky rigid plastics are accepted, or cut it up for the trash. Keep brass fittings for reuse or scrap. Use the map to find a recycling or transfer site near you.