Plastic Pails & Buckets – 1, 2 and 5 Gallon HDPE Pails

Which plastic pail size do I need?

A 5 gallon pail is the right choice for bulk ingredients, paints, chemicals and job-site use, holding about 19 liters. A 2 gallon pail suits retail packs, samples and portion-controlled food. A 1 gallon pail or smaller fits gift packs, sauces, lab samples and anything sold in smaller quantities.

Pail Sizes and Features

5 Gallon Buckets

Our 5 gallon pails have 90 mil HDPE walls and a metal handle, built for repeated lifting and stacking when full. The 5 gallon white pail (P6 series) and 5 gallon black pail cover most jobs, and the 5 gallon white P4 series pail is rated for hot fill up to 180°F, steam sterilizing and freezing. White pails make labels stand out; black pails hide scuffs and block light.

1 and 2 Gallon Pails

Smaller pails come in the widest range of colors, useful for color-coding products, flavors or hazards. The 2 gallon P4 series pails, such as the 2 gallon blue pail with metal handle, are made from 100% prime virgin HDPE and are FDA compliant for food. In the 1 gallon size, the 1 gallon white pail with metal handle and plastic grip is comfortable to carry, while the 1 gallon black regrind pail is an economy choice for non-food use.

Threaded Life Latch Pails

For products that must stay sealed and show tampering, threaded pails with a screw-top lid are the better fit. The 1.25 gallon Life Latch pail and 0.6 gallon Life Latch pail are made from FDA-grade HDPE, are UN rated for solids and taper for easy nesting. The 12 gallon Life Latch container brings the same closure system to a larger size and is rated UN1H2/Y53/S.

Are lids included?

No. Pails in this category are sold without covers, and threaded pails use a compatible screw-top lid sold separately. Check the series name (P4, P5, P6, P8, P9 or Life Latch) when matching a lid, or contact us for help.

Food-Grade and Hot-Fill Use

Many pails here are FDA compliant and suitable for food, dairy and similar products, and several can be hot filled, steam sterilized and frozen. Hot-fill limits vary by pail, from 130°F on some 1 gallon pails to 180°F on the 5 gallon P4 pail and 190°F on the 1 gallon P9 pail, so confirm the rating on the product page. Regrind pails are recycled plastic and not intended for food.

Common Uses

• Food ingredients, sauces, honey and pet food
• Paints, coatings, adhesives and sealants
• Cleaning chemicals and pool supplies
• Bait, feed and garden supplies
• Retail and promotional packaging

Nesting, Storage and Bulk Orders

Most of these pails have a tapered body, so empties nest inside one another for compact shipping and storage. That makes it practical to keep a stack on hand for seasonal or batch production. For larger volumes, step up to open head plastic drums or plastic drums and barrels. Packaging smaller amounts? See glass bottles and jars and caps and closures. For case or pallet quantities, request a bulk quote, and review our returns policy before ordering.

Plastic Pail FAQs

How many liters is a 5 gallon bucket?

A 5 US gallon bucket holds about 18.9 liters. Our 1 gallon pails hold about 3.8 liters and 2 gallon pails about 7.6 liters.

Do your plastic pails come with lids?

No. Pails are sold without covers, and the threaded Life Latch pails use a screw-top lid sold separately. Contact us if you need help matching a lid.

Are these buckets food safe?

Many pails are made from FDA-compliant virgin HDPE and are suitable for food. Regrind pails are made from recycled plastic and should not be used for food.

What does 90 mil mean on a bucket?

Mil is a measure of wall thickness, with one mil equal to one-thousandth of an inch. A 90 mil pail has thicker, stiffer walls than a 65 mil pail and stands up better to heavy loads and stacking.

Can I buy plastic pails in bulk?

Yes. Contact us with the size, color and quantity you need and we will prepare a bulk quote with delivery in the US or Canada.