Free recycling program for agrichemical containers offered at three local sites

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) encourages farmers and agrichemical facilities to take part in a free agrichemical container recycling program.

Beginning in the middle of July and continuing into August, sites throughout the state will collect containers that are recycled to make shipping pallets.

Locally, a permanent collection site will be located at Logan Agri Srv, Inc., in Griggsville. Contact person Troy Kennedy can be reached by calling 217-833-2375

Local single-day collection sites will be available at the following locations:

• Hancock County at Chem-Gro, Inc., in Bowen on July 29 from 9 to 11 a.m. Contact Todd Nelson at 217-842-5514
• McDonough County at Nutrien Ag Sol, Inc., in Blandinsville on July 29 from 1 to 3 p.m. Contact Travis Weaver at 309-652-3694.

“This annual program provides a convenient way for farmers and agrichemical facilities to dispose of empty pesticide containers,” IDOA Director Jerry Costello said II in a press release. “Containers that would otherwise end up in the garbage can be taken to the nearest collection site instead.”

Metal and household pesticide containers are not eligible for the recycling program.  Collection sites will accept only high-density polyethylene, No. 2 plastic agrichemical containers that are clean and dry. Participants are responsible for rinsing them and removing all caps, valves, metal, labels, booklets and foil seals. Participants are responsible for cutting off the top and bottom of plastic drums and cutting the side of the drum from top to bottom.

Mini-Bulk and Intermediate Bulk containers can be recycled via the department’s container recycling program by making the following container preparations:  Mini Bulk (cage) containers are required to be cut into separate top, bottom and sides, fittings discarded (no metal, no wood) (6 slabs of plastic).  Intermediate Bulk Containers are to be cut in to 1-foot square pieces, fittings discarded (no metal, no wood). G. Phillips and Sons, LLC is offering services to pick up Mini-Bulk and Intermediate Bulk containers throughout the year. Call 678-232-6047 to learn more about their Mini-Bulk and Intermediate Bulk container collection service.

The program is a cooperative venture between the Illinois Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Container Recycling Council, GROWMARK, Inc., Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association, G. Phillips and Sons, LLC, Illinois Farm Bureau and University of Illinois Extension.

To obtain a free brochure about the program, call the Illinois Department of Agriculture toll free at 1-800-641-3934.