University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Pesticide container recycling available at 42 Nebraska sites

Forty-two sites across Nebraska will accept empty, plastic pesticide containers for recycling this year.

This is the 15th year for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension plastic pesticide container and crop protection drum recycling program. The program helps those wanting to recycle 1- and 2.5-gallon plastic pesticide containers and 15-, 30- and 55-gallon plastic crop protection chemical drums.

"Recycling pesticide containers nationwide is still a voluntary activity, due largely to the environmental consciousness exhibited by many pesticide applicators and agri-chemical dealers, but it appears it may soon become federally mandated," said UNL pesticide education specialist Larry Schulze who coordinates the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources program.

Schulze said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is considering a national requirement for the recycling of plastic pesticide containers. EPA is discussing the possibility with chemical and container manufacturers, trade groups and state regulatory agencies, he said.

UNL's Pesticide Education Resources Web site includes guidelines, participant roles and details about the pesticide container inspection process.

Plastic from collected containers is turned into industrial and consumer products such as shipping pallets, drain tile, dimension lumber and parking lot tire bumpers. Last year, the UNL program resulted in recycling more than 70 tons of containers, contributing to a 14-year total of nearly 720 tons, Schulze said.

The program accepts pressure-rinsed or triple-rinsed 1- and 2.5-gallon plastic pesticide containers. They must be clean and drained, inside and out. Caps, labels and slipcover plastic labels must be removed since they cannot be recycled in this program. They should be disposed of as solid waste.

Of this year's 42 sites, 25 will accept 15-, 30- and 55-gallon plastic crop protection chemical, crop oil and adjuvant drums. These drums must be thoroughly rinsed before delivery to collection sites and should not be cut or opened in any way. Mini-bulk, saddle tanks and nurse tanks, which can be made of fiberglass or plastics not compatible with the recycling program, are not accepted.

Before delivery to a collection site, containers and drums should be cleaned, rinsed and drained. Rinsate should be returned to the spray tank. Remove and properly dispose of booklets and caps from containers; and remove and properly dispose of plastic shrink-wraps. Glued-on paper labels can be left on the container.

Schulze coordinates the program with help from UNL extension educators statewide. Funding is by a national coalition of agri-chemical manufacturers through the Agricultural Container Recycling Council.

Of this year's collection sites, eight collect year-around, 15 collect May through August, 17 collect on specific dates and two collect by appointment only. Collection site categories are listed alphabetically by county below. Sites accepting 15-, 30- and 55-gallon plastic drums are noted.

Year-around inspection, collection sites:

May-August inspection, collection sites: Sites collecting, inspecting pesticide containers on specific days: Sites collecting, inspecting pesticide containers by appointment only:

IANR News Release

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Copyright 2006 by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. All rights reserved.
Published by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperating with the counties and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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