The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) is encouraging farmers and agrichemical facilities to save their empty agrichemical containers for recycling across the state.
Beginning the middle of August and continuing into September, sites throughout Illinois will collect the empty containers which will be recycled and made into shipping pallets, plastic lumber and other useful products.
“This program offers farmers and agrichemical facilities a convenient opportunity to dispose of empty pesticide containers while also helping to protect the environment,” says John Sullivan, IDOA director. “I encourage farmers to gather any containers they may have been planning to throw out and take them to the nearest collection site to be repurposed.”
Metal and household pesticide containers are not eligible. Collection sites will accept only high-density polyethylene, #2 plastic agrichemical containers that are clean and dry. Participants are responsible for rinsing them and removing all caps, labels, booklets and foil seals.
The program is a cooperative venture between IDOA, Agriculture Container Recycling Council, GROWMARK, Inc., Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association, G. Phillips and Sons, L.L.C., Illinois Farm Bureau and the University of Illinois Extension.
Additional information on collection sites and dates can be found on the IDOA website at agriculture.illinois.gov, click on the “Environment” tab and then “Agrichemicals.”
