Can I Use Trash Can to Store Water?

[vfc]

I would purchase the "stiffest" plastic trash can for water storage. I purchased two 35G Rhino-Tuff trash cans at Lowes. Even though they had the same brand name, they were different. One was stiffer and built slightly different. After six months, the softer one still has a bad odor that I can't waste out. I went back to buy a replacement but all the remaining stock were the softer type with the same bad chemical smell.

The 44G ultra-stiff Rubbermaid seems to be a better choice. Unfortunately it is around $40 each.

They also make fiberglass models with wheels that have a capacity of 64G & 96G. I may ultimately buy a single 96G to replace my two 35G's.

 

[Buckdog]

I would purchase the "stiffest" plastic trash can for water storage. I purchased two 35G Rhino-Tuff trash cans at Lowes. Even though they had the same brand name, they were different. One was stiffer and built slightly different. After six months, the softer one still has a bad odor that I can't waste out. I went back to buy a replacement but all the remaining stock were the softer type with the same bad chemical smell.

The 44G ultra-stiff Rubbermaid seems to be a better choice. Unfortunately it is around $40 each.

They also make fiberglass models with wheels that have a capacity of 64G & 96G. I may ultimately buy a single 96G to replace my two 35G's.

Rubbermaid make large food storage containers for restaurants that look similar to trash cans but are white in color. On the bottom is the NSF stamp. You can find them at restaurant supply stores such as Superior. They will be somewhat more expensive than you'll probably like. You can also use discarded polyethylene drums that a food product such as vinegar, soy sauce, juice concentrate, etc come in. They're usually blue or white.

I would be leery of any container with a heavy chemical smell. It was not intended to store anything of value so it does not have to conform to FDA or NSF standards.