Attention, farmers!

Do you have a stockpile of empty plastic agrichemical containers? Wondering how to dispose of them? Here is your answer! Sites throughout the state will be these collecting containers from now through the beginning of August.

The containers will be recycled to make shipping pallets, fence posts, drainage tubing, plastic lumber and other useful products.

“This program offers farmers and agri-chemical facilities a convenient opportunity to dispose of empty pesticide containers and demonstrate their environmental stewardship,” said Agriculture Director Raymond Poe. “I would encourage them to gather any containers that they may have been planning to throw in the garbage and take them to the nearest collection site.”

Here are the guidelines:

• Collection sites will accept only #2 HDPE (high-density polyethylene) plastic agrichemical containers up to 5 gallons.
• The containers will need to be empty, clean and dry.
• To prepare them for recycling, please remove all caps and triple or pressure rinse them. Do not put the caps back on, but bring them without the caps.
• Additionally please remove labels, booklets and foil seals to the best of your ability.
• If you have containers that are over 5 gallons, please call 1-800-641-3934 for specific instructions.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture has created this recycling program for empty agrochemical containers in cooperation with the 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.

The collection sites and dates for the 2017 Pesticide Container Recycling Program are as follows:

Single Day Collection Sites Near Here

9 AM to 11 AM Friday, Aug. 4

• Kane County— CHS Inc., 2N374 Meredith Road, Maple Park, 630-365-9491

9 AM to 11 AM Thursday, Aug. 3

• McHenry County — Conserv FS, 20515 Harmony Road, Morengo, 815-568-7211

1 PM tp 3 PM Thursday, Aug. 3

• DeKalb County — Helena Chemical,4440 IL Route 72, Kirkland, 815-522-3251

Permanent Collection Sites

• Greene County — CHS Inc., Carrollton, Bryan McMurtrie, 217-942-6991
• Lawrence County — Klein Flying Service, Lawrenceville, Robert Klein, 618-884-1040
• McLean County — Randolph Ag Service, Heyworth, Jeff Toohill, 309-473-3256

SOURCE: Kane County Recycles