Plastic Pesticide Container Recycling Program Reaches Million Pound Milestone

Harrisburg, PA — The Department of Agriculture’s plastic pesticide container recycling program has reached a milestone, recycling one million pounds of plastic, Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff said today.

“This milestone represents a signification achievement in our efforts to help preserve Pennsylvania’s environment and improve pesticide stewardship in the agricultural community,” Wolff said. “The recycling program offers pesticide applicators and businesses a free, easy and responsible way of disposal; currently averaging more than 130,000 pounds of recycled material annually.”

Launched in 1994, the program collects plastic pesticide containers from all categories of licensed pesticide applicators and custom application businesses. A total of 161 recycling partners in 55 counties statewide serve as pick-up stations for empty, triple-rinsed containers.

Among the uses for the recycled plastic are fence posts, pallets, speed bumps, marine pilings and field drain tiles.

In 2004, the program was presented the stewardship award for program innovation by The Pesticide Stewardship Alliance, an organization of state and federal agencies, pesticide manufacturers, pesticide disposal and recycling contractors, container manufacturers and end-users, serving international stewardship needs in all phases of the pesticide life cycle.

Deputy Secretary Cheryl Cook and local officials celebrated the milestone at the Union Mill division of Chemgro Fertilizer Co. Inc. in Mifflin County. For more information on the recycling program or to find the nearest PPCR recycling location, visit http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us, and click on “Producers.”