[GRAPHIC OMITTED] Russell-Stanley               RUSSELL-STANLEY HOLDINGS, INC.
                                                685 Route 202/206
                                                Bridgewater, NJ  08807-1762
                                                Contact:  Ron Litchkowski
                                                (908) 203-9500


                                  Press Release

                    Russell-Stanley Commences Exchange Offer

Bridgewater, New Jersey, October 4, 2001--Russell-Stanley Holdings, Inc. today
announced that it commenced an exchange offer to holders of its 10 7/8% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2009. It is offering to exchange a pro rata share of $20
million aggregate principal amount of new 9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008
and 3,000,000 shares of common stock for each holder's pro rata share of $150
million aggregate principal amount of 10 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due
2009.  The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
October 31, 2001, unless extended. It also commenced a solicitation of releases
and votes to accept a prepackaged plan of reorganization.

The 9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008 and common stock will not be
registered under the Securities Act or applicable state securities laws, and may
not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration under the
Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or available exemptions from
such registration requirements.

                                   * * * * * *

Russell-Stanley Holdings, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and marketer of plastic
and steel containers and a leading provider of related container services in the
United States and Canada.

This press release includes forward-looking statements for the purposes of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. We have based these forward-looking statements on our
current expectations and assumptions about future events. Although we believe
our expectations and assumptions are reasonable, we cannot assure you that our
expectations and assumptions will prove to have been correct. We do not intend
to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.