Last year someone posted about 55-gallon rain barrels available near PDX
airport for $3 each. I didn't keep the post but did write down the info.
My visit there today revealed they are now $5 but worth every penny. The
original intent was a scouting trip as I had other business near there;
however, I was able to bring two home in my Escort (one in the back seat
and one in the truck, with bungee cord).

The white ones, which is what I got today, had vinegar in them previously
so are completely safe for planting veggies (tomatoes, potatoes, etc.).
However, when cutting them, the aroma was quite overwhelming, smelled very
much like a pickle factory, up close.g

Thank you to whoever it was that posted the information. I will be getting
more when I have business that way again. It may be a while before any
actually make it to a rain collection system, but they will get good use
as planter tubs and an array of other uses. One will have only the bottom
6 or so inches cut off, turned over over using the top as a base, and
used as a good solid bird bath. It will not empty quite so quickly as the
store-bought concrete one does and certainly won't tip over. One will go
in the chicken pen to hold chicken food so I can keep it out of my house;
it will take a while for a critter to chew through that thick material;
after the habaneras are ripe, I'll spread some of that on them and that
will undoubtedly end the chewing.

Thank you again, kind person, whoever you are. If you are reading, I'd
much appreciate your posting your web page address where you had the
directions for making the collection system.

Glenna