A Department of Agriculture program that collects empty, cleaned plastic pesticide containers from licensed pesticide applicators, celebrated 20 years of recycling them during the 2014 Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg Tuesday.

The Plastic Pesticide Container Recycling Program allows public and private pesticide applicators to safely dispose of their empty, cleaned high density polyethylene plastic pesticide containers. The containers are granulated into chips and sold for recycling into plastic corrugated pipe.

“Pennsylvania’s farms and agribusinesses are committed to environmentally-sound production practices and preserving the quality of our state’s lands for generations to come,” said Agriculture Secretary George Greig. “Our pesticide applicators use this program to give their containers a second use while reducing our environmental impact.”

In 2013, the program collected and granulated 125,125 pounds of plastics. Over 20 years, the program has recycled more than 1.84 million pounds of plastic.

Containers should be free of all products, inside and outside. Remove and discard label booklets, plastic sleeves and caps.

For recycling partner locations or more information, visit Agriculture’s Plastic Pesticide Container Recycling Program webpage or call 717-705-5858.

1/13/2014