How to Get Cheap or Free Used Buckets

A cleaned-up bucket can store seashells.

Used buckets can be handy for so many things, especially if you enjoy gardening. You can use them to carry water, store tools and vises, grow tomatoes either right side up or upside down or to collect air conditioner condensate. You can buy a a bucket and lid for $5 or more at the hardware store -- or try your ingenuity at finding them for free.

Things You'll Need

• Nearby grocery store

Instructions

1. Visit the grocery store and ask staff at the bakery for used buckets. The icing for the bakery comes in buckets of various sizes. Look for 3-gallon icing buckets with a gasket lid, either free or for a nominal amount.

2. Ask donut shops, fast-food restaurants or sports bars for buckets; they typically have 5-gallon pickle buckets and the like.

3. Look for buckets at construction sites or where painters are working. You can let the paint on the bucket’s interior dry and often pull it off easily.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase some gamma seal lids to make is much easier to get into the bucket.

• Use buckets with a gamma seal lead to buy basics in bulk and store in air tight containers.

• Do not store food items in a used bucket that was not used for food before.

References

• Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences: Reusing Food Packaging ... Is It Safe