The Ag Container Recycling Council (ACRC) has come up with another way for the green industry to think green. The non-profit organization promotes the collection and recycling of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) product containers, finding innovative end uses for used pesticide packaging.
Supported by companies involved in formulating, producing, packaging and distributing pesticide products, the organization supports a network of container recycling partners across the United States. Johnny Berry, manager of emergency management and environmental stewardship, Syngenta, Greensboro, N.C., said the five contracted companies that handle the recycling for various regions collected more than 7 million pounds of plastic last year.
“We hit a stride in the last few years,” Berry noted. “In the past, it was easier to get rid of the pesticide containers – take them to the landfill. Now, some of the landfills are refusing to take them and people are realizing that there is a better way to dispose of the containers.”
ACRC was founded a decade ago, and until recently, catered predominantly to the agriculture industry. Now, professional products companies, like Syngenta, are getting involved in the program and spreading its message to lawn care companies.
“Our objective is to safely recycle plastic containers that are used in the chemical industry,” Berry defined. “Whether it’s a county, state or even a private collection situation, there are days set up to bring plastic containers to a central location,” he explained. “The containers are then ground up, packaged and taken away at no charge to the consumer, dealer, distributor or lawn care consumer. They go to a facility and are made into other products that are made of plastic.”
These recycled products stay in the chemical industry – pesticide containers are morphed into plastic pipes and irrigation pipes, for example, Berry added. Landscape contractors might also discover their recycled packaging in the form of speed bumps, fence posts, marine pilings or more plastic pesticide containers, according to the ACRC Web site (http://www.acrecycle.org/).
ACRC accepts non-refillable, HDPE plastic pesticide product containers that are obtained from agricultural and professional end users only. Containers up to 35 gallons can be recycled once rinsed appropriately. Landscape contractors interested in participating can call the closest collection site (check Web site or call 877/952-2272 for listing). – Kristen Hampshire
For more information on ACRC and recycling pesticide packaging, log onto http://www.acrecycle.org/ or call 877/952-2272. For more information, visit the March issue of Lawn & Landscape.