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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-04-011552.txt : 20040224
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-04-011552.hdr.sgml : 20040224
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040224091807
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-04-011552
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040223
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040224

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GREIF INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000043920
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PAPERBOARD CONTAINERS & BOXES [2650]
		IRS NUMBER:				314388903
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1031

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		425 WINTER ROAD
		CITY:			DELAWARE
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			43015
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7405496000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		425 WINTER ROAD
		CITY:			DELAWARE
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			43015

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	GREIF BROTHERS CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	GREIF BROTHERS COOPERAGE CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19690820

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NORTON PATRICK J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000941595

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-00566
		FILM NUMBER:		04623508

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O SCOTTS CO
		STREET 2:		14111 SCOTTSLAWN ROAD
		CITY:			MARYSVILLE
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			43041
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9376440011

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O SCOTTS CO
		STREET 2:		14111 SCOTTSLAWN ROAD
		CITY:			MARYSVILLE
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			43041
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd34423.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-02-23</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000043920</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GREIF INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>GEF,GEF.B</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000941595</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>NORTON PATRICK J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>425 WINTER ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DELAWARE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>43015</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>36.99</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-02-23</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>36.99</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-02-23</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-02-23</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Patrick J. Norton by John K. Dieker pursuant to a Power of Attorney filed with the Commission</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-02-24</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-24.
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>rrd26071_29558.htm
<DESCRIPTION>POA
<TEXT>
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>
rrd26071_29558.html
</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY>
<PRE>
                              GREIF, INC.

                           POWER OF ATTORNEY
                     FOR FORMS 3, 4, AND 5 FILINGS


The undersigned, an officer and/or director of Greif, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation (the Company), hereby constitutes and appoints
Gary R. Martz, John K. Dieker, and Robert S. Zimmerman, and each of
them, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power
to act without the other, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for me and in my name, place, and stead, in any and
all of my capacities for the Company, to sign all Forms 3, 4, or 5
required to be filed by me with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the Commission) pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder,
including any and all amendments to any of the foregoing, relating to
the Company, and to file the same with the Commission, granting unto
said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as the
undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them
or their or his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to
be done by virtue hereof.

The undersigned has executed and delivered this Power of Attorney on
the date set forth below.


Dated:	2/24/03                     /s/ Patrick J. Norton
                                        Signature of Officer/Director

                                        Patrick J. Norton, Director
                                        Print Name and Title



</PRE>
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</TEXT>
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</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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