The 5-gallon plastic bucket is one of the most widely used packaging solutions across industries such as food, chemicals, construction, and agriculture. Its convenient size, affordability, and versatility make it the global standard for countless applications. However, many businesses face a practical question: is there a bucket bigger than 5 gallons? And if so, when should companies switch to larger containers?
Standard 5 Gallon Bucket: Usage and Limitations
The 5-gallon bucket has become a packaging benchmark. It is lightweight, easy to handle, and compatible with a wide range of lids and accessories, making it suitable for paints, adhesives, pickles, bulk food ingredients, and cleaning products.
Yet, this popular container also has limitations:
- Its capacity is restricted to bulk storage or industrial-scale production.
- Companies handling chemicals, beverages, or raw materials in large quantities often require higher-volume buckets or drums to reduce logistics costs.
Buckets Larger Than 5 Gallons: Available Sizes
Yes—there are buckets and pails that exceed the standard 5-gallon capacity. Depending on industry needs, businesses can source:
- 6–7 Gallon Buckets
Slightly larger than the standard, these are popular in food processing, chemicals, and paints, offering more storage without compromising portability. - 10–20 Gallon Plastic Buckets or Pails
Designed for agriculture, construction, and industrial use, these containers hold fertilizers, adhesives, lubricants, or other bulk liquids. - 30–60 Gallon Plastic Drums
Considered a bridge between buckets and large barrels, these are used for chemical raw materials, oils, or large-scale food storage. - 55 Gallon Plastic Drum (Classic Alternative)
A long-standing global standard for industrial packaging, the 55-gallon drum is a cost-effective solution for bulk transport and warehousing.
Applications of Bigger Buckets
Large-capacity buckets and drums serve a wide range of industries:
- Food Industry: Pickles, sauces, beverage concentrates, edible oils, and grains.
- Construction & Paints: Paints, adhesives, coatings, and cement additives.
- Chemical & Industrial: Detergents, lubricants, solvents, and hazardous liquids.
- Agriculture: Fertilizers, pesticides, and bulk feed storage.
Materials and Durability Considerations
When choosing buckets larger than 5 gallons, businesses must consider:
- Material: HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) and PP (Polypropylene) are industry standards for durability, chemical resistance, and food safety.
- Durability: Some industries require reinforced heavy-duty buckets, while others may prefer lightweight one-way export buckets.
- Customization: Options include tamper-proof lids, printed branding, hot stamping, in-mould labelling (IML), and even RFID tracking integration.
When Should Businesses Choose Bigger Buckets?
A company may decide to upgrade to larger buckets when:
- Bulk Storage Is Required: For high-volume production, using larger containers reduces unit packaging costs.
- Transportation Efficiency Matters: Fewer containers mean lower handling and logistics costs.
- Sustainability is a Priority: Fewer buckets per shipment reduces plastic consumption and improves environmental responsibility.
Conclusion
So, is there a bucket bigger than 5 gallons? The answer is absolutely yes. From 6-gallon plastic pails to 55-gallon drums, a wide range of larger containers exist to meet the storage and transport requirements of different industries.
For businesses, the choice depends on production scale, handling requirements, and industry standards. Partnering with a reliable plastic bucket manufacturer and wholesale supplier ensures access to customizable, high-quality, and certified containers that support long-term operational efficiency.
