Illinois Department of Agriculture announces recycling program for agri-chemical containers

The Illinois Department of Agriculture recently announced it has arranged a program that allows farmers and agri-chemical facilities to recycle their empty agri-chemical containers.

"This program offers farmers and agri-chemical facilities a convenient opportunity to dispose of empty pesticide containers and demonstrate their environmental stewardship," Agriculture Director Philip Nelson said. "I would encourage them to gather any containers that they may have been planning to throw in the garbage and take them to the nearest collection site."

Starting at the end of July and continuing in August, sites throughout Illinois will collect the containers, which will be recycled to make shipping pallets, fence posts, drainage tubing, plastic lumber and other useful products.

Metal and household pesticide containers are not eligible for the recycling program. Only high-density polyethylene, No. 2 plastic, agri-chemical containers that are clean and dry will be accepted. Participants are responsible for rinsing the containers and removing all caps, labels, booklets and foil seals.

The program is a collaboration between the Illinois Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Container Recycling Council, GROWMARK Inc., Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association, Container Services Network, Illinois Farm Bureau and University of Illinois Extension. To receive a free brochure about the program, call the Illinois Department of Agriculture at 800-641-3934.