I'm about to make my first SWP or SIP, have heard different names for them. My local donut shop sells 4 gallon buckets for 1 dollar and $1.50 with a lid. These buckets are filled with jelly they use in all those delicious donuts we all love, AMIRIGHT!!! Anyways, most places probably throw them out or would sell them. So I thought I'd share this with all of you who might be looking for extra buckets, check your favorite donut shop. . I included a pic to show the difference in height compared to a 5 gallon bucket from HD, 2 of the smaller buckets are about an inch taller then the single HD bucket. 

Check with your local Kroger's Grocery in the bakery, icing buckets are generally free.

I put the word out on facebook I was looking for cheap or free buckets.  A few days later I have a stack on my driveway and more to come. I won't let those who donate to the cause go without a fig tree, if they want one come spring time. Also getting free rabbit poo via the same method but I have to go get it.  :) 

That's awesome! Thanks for letting us know. I gotta go check with the donut place and supermarket down the street to see what they got.

Up until now, I had collected buckets from specifically buying detergent that came in buckets. Essentially, you're getting detergent and a free bucket! Score!

When I use to deliver to McDonalds and Burger King, the dumpster area allways had lots of 5 gallon pickle buckets they would let me have.

Many other restaurants also have them, come with pickled eggs, mayo, salad dressings at one source, also from some Chinese restaurants. I asked a friend with a painting business about plastic buckets and he dropped off 29 last week that had held paint and dry wall compound. Some of these various buckets are 4g, some 4.5g, most 5g.
I'm gonna be busy making SIPs this winter.

Donpaid, it is better to get the foodgrade ones, don't  know what might be left in there from detergent..

Good stuff guys, I'll also check with the bakery at the supermarket... Definitely gotta get the food grade buckets... Can't beat free...