Buying Guide: Plastic Spill Trays (PE-HD) for Small Containers and 60 L Drums

Plastic spill trays are a simple but highly effective way to store hazardous substances safely and in compliance with regulations. Whether you work in a workshop, laboratory, production area or warehouse, a plastic spill tray made of PE-HD (high-density polyethylene) protects floors, soil and water from leaking liquids – and helps you meet your environmental obligations.

This buying guide explains what to look for when choosing a plastic spill tray, how to calculate the right sump capacity, and which tray types from our range are suitable for your application.

What is a plastic spill tray?

A plastic spill tray (also called a plastic drip tray or small container spill tray) is a flat, liquid-tight tray with a defined sump capacity. Containers such as:

• small canisters
• bottles
• drums up to 60 L
• laboratory containers

are placed on the tray. If a container leaks, the liquid is safely retained in the tray’s sump instead of running onto the floor or into drains.

Our plastic spill trays are made of PE-HD and are designed for everyday industrial use – robust, chemically resistant and easy to clean.

Legal requirements: safe and compliant storage

In Germany and many EU countries, the storage of hazardous substances is regulated by water protection and occupational safety laws (e.g., WHG in Germany). In practice, this means:

• Leak protection: Hazardous liquids must be stored on a suitable retention device (e.g., spill tray).
• Sufficient sump capacity: The tray must be able to safely hold leaks from the stored containers.
• Chemical resistance: The material must be resistant to the substances stored.
• Approvals and test certificates: For many applications, officially approved systems are required.

Our selected PE-HD spill trays come with DIBt approval (e.g., Z-40.22-612) and are desigend for the storage of environmentally hazardous liquids in small containers and drums. This helps you store corrosive and water-polluting substances safely and in accordance with regulations. Always check your internal risk assessment and site-specific regulations in addition.

Why choose plastic spill trays made of PE-HD?

Compared to steel trays, plastic spill trays made of PE-HD offer several advantages, especially for chemicals and small containers:

High chemical resistance

PE-HD is resistant to many common industrial media, including:

• oils
• alkalis
• acids
• many aggressive chemicals

This makes PE-HD spill trays ideal for laboratories, chemical storage, cleaning agents, maintenance areas and workshops.

Corrosion-free and durable

PE-HD does not rust and is not susceptible to corrosion. Even in damp environments, the tray retains its shape and function – perfect for continuous use in industrial and commercial environments.

Low weight and ergonomic handling

Plastic spill trays are much lighter than steel versions. This simplifies:

• handling during installation
• cleaning and repositioning
• use in mobile workstations or on shelves

Despite the low weight, our trays are designed with a robust construction for industrial conditions.

Key selection criteria for plastic spill trays

To choose the right tray from our range, you should consider the following criteria:

What substances are you storing?

Before anything else, clarify:

• Which liquids are stored (e.g. oils, acids, alkalis, cleaning agents)?
• In which container types (bottles, 20 L canisters, 60 L drums)?

PE-HD is suitable for many aggressive media. If you store very special chemicals, check the chemical resistance of PE-HD for your specific medium or contact your safety officer.

Sump capacity: How many litres do you need?

The sump capacity is the central parameter when choosing a plastic spill tray. As a rule of thumb (depending on national rules and site regulations):

• the tray should hold at least the volume of the largest single container, and
• often 10% of the total stored volume must be retained (or the largest container volume, whichever is greater).

Our range offers sump capacities from 20 L up to 200 L, so you can easily find the right solution:

• 20-40 L trays (e.g., 640 x 410 mm)
  • Ideal for small containers, bottles and individual canisters at workstations or in labs.
• 60-70 L trays (e.g., 805 x 640 mm or 805/810 x 635 mm)
  • For several small canisters or a combination of bottles and small containers.
  • Also suitable for up to 60 L drums (depending on the model).
• 90-100 L trays (1200 x 640 mm)
  • For more containers side by side or higher safety reserve.
  • Available both with grid (90 L) and without grid (100 L).
• 200 L trays (990 x 645 x 345 mm)
  • Designed for larger quanitites or higher stored volumes in small containers and drums.

When planning, always calculate some safety margin and align with your internal storage concept.

External dimensions: Footprint and installation location

Consider where the spill tray will be used:

• On the floor, under a shelf or rack?
• On a workbench or lab table?
• Integrated in a workstation or production line?

Our plastic spill trays are available in compact formats (e.g. 640 x 410 mm) as well as in wider versions (e.g. 1200 x 640 mm). This allows:

• single-tray solutions under a shelf compartment or workplace
• modular combinations of several trays next to each other

Check both the external dimensions and the height so that the tray fits perfectly into the available space.

With or without grid?

Many of our plastic spill trays are offered with grid or without grid.

Spill trays with grid

• Containers stand on a removable grid above the sump.
• Leaked liquid can flow easily underneath into the sump area.
• Drums and canisters stand more securely and cleanly, not in the collected liquid.
• Ideal for frequent filling processes or when containers are often moved.

Examples from our range:

• 20 L, 30 L. 40 L, 60 L and 90 L plastic spill trays, each with grid, for safe storage of small containers.

Spill trays without grid

• The container stands directly in the tray body.
• Offers maximum sump volume in the same footprint (e.g. 100 L instead of 90 L at 1200 x 640 mm).
• Ideal when containers are seldom moved and you primarily want a high retention volume.

Examples from our range:

• 20 L, 30 L, 40 L, 60 L, 70 L and 100 L versions without grid, as well as compact trays for small containers.

Tip: For workstations with frequent handling and filling, choose with grid. For more static storage or maximum retention volume in a confined footprint, without grid is often the better choice.

Tray accessibility: accessible underneath or not?

Some of our PE-HD spill trays are designed to be accessible underneath, for example:

• Spill tray made of PE-HD, 70 L sump capacity, approx. 805 x 635 x 330 mm, accessible underneath

These models allow handling with:

• forklift
• pallet truck

This is particularly advantageous if:

• you move filled spill trays in the warehouse
• you integrate the tray into flexible storage concepts
• you want to position or rearrange trays safely even when loaded

If your tray stays permanently in one position (e.g. on a shelf or under a fixed workbench), a simpler version without under-runner is usually sufficient.

Height and ergonomics

The tray height affects both

• sump capacity and
• ergonomics during container handling

Flat trays (e.g. 115-160 mm high) are ideal for:

• workbenches and lab tables
• locations where containers are frequently placed and removed

Higher trays (e.g. 220-345 mm) offer

• significantly greater sump capacity for the same footprint
• are well-suited for floor-level storage with higher safety reserves

Think about how often containers are moved and how comfortable handling should be at your workstation.

Features of MEILLER plastic spill trays (PE-HD)

• Legally compliant storage: DIBt-approved in accordance with WHG regulations for environmentally hazardous substances.
• High chemical resistance: Suitable for oils, alkalis, acids and many aggressive media.
• Corrosion-free and dimensionally stable: No rust, no deformation even under continuous load.
• Industrial design: Manufactured on mdoern equipment for consistent quality and durability.

Comparable advantages apply to all trays in our PE-HD range – adapted to the respective size and sump capacity.

Which plastic spill tray suits which application?

Here are some practical recommendations based on typical use cases:

Laboratories and R&D

Recommended trays:

• 20 L and 30 L trays (640 x 410 mm) – with or without grid
• 40 L trays if larger canisters are used

Benefits:

• compact footprints for lab benches and storage shelves
• removable grids for easy cleaning
• safe storage of bottles, reagent containers and small containers

Workshops and maintenance

Recommended trays:

• 40 L and 60 L trays (e.g. 640 x 410 mm or 805 x 640 mm)
• 70 L trays for more containers or 60 L drums
• versions accessible underneath for mobile use and internal logistics

Benefits:

• safe storage of oils, lubricants, cleaners and chemicals
• flexible positioning in work areas
• simple combination of several trays to create larger storage surfaces

Warehouses, chemical storage and production

Recommended trays:

• 90 L and 100 L trays (1200 x 640 mm)
• 200 L trays (990 x 645 x 345 mm) for larger volumes or multiple drums

Benefits:

• high sump capacities with a compact footprint
• space-efficient arrangement under shelves and racks
• compliance with legal requirements for larger stored volumes

Cleaning and maintenance of plastic spill trays

PE-HD spill trays are low maintenance and easy to clean:

1. Empty the tray when contaminated or when liquid has leaked.
2. Remove the grid (if present).
3. Pump or absorb the retained liquid and dispose of it properly as hazardous waste.
4. Clean the tray with suitable cleaning agents (check chemical compatibility).
5. Check the tray for damage or cracks before putting it back to service.

Regular visual inspections are part of good practice in hazardous materials storage and help detect damage early.

Summary: How to choose the right plastic spill tray

When selecting a plastic spill tray made of PE-HD, focus on:

1. Stored media: Are your liquids compatible with PE-HD?
2. Sump capacity: Is the tray large enough for the stored volume and legal requirements?
3. Dimensions: Does the tray fit into your shelf, under your workbench or in the intended storage location?
4. Grid vs. no grid: Frequent handling and filling = with grid; maximum sump capacity = without grid.
5. Accessibility underneath: Do you move trays with forklift or pallet truck? Then choose an accessible version.
6. Application area: Laboratory, workshop, warehouse – match the tray type to your daily needs.

With our broad range of PE-HD spill trays from 20 L to 200 L sump capacity and various sizes for small containers and 60 L drums, you can precisely configure your hazardous material storage to meet your operational and legal requirements.