Agrichemical Container Recycling Program

The Department annually cooperates with various segments of the agrichemical industry to operate a plastic pesticide container-recycling program. Single-day collection sites at agrichemical facilities are scheduled near the end of the application season. Pesticide users can bring containers for granulation and shipment to a national contractor that utilizes the plastic for the manufacture of other agrichemical-related products. In addition, the Department has established permanent collection sites that are open throughout the year for the collection and granulation of plastic containers. Over 1.6 million pounds of plastic have been collected since the program started more than 20 years ago.

Permanent Collection Sites

Permanent sites in Illinois are able to accept containers throughout the year. Before dropping off containers, please call to ensure the facility will be open.

2023 Single Day Collection Sites

AM indicates collection site hours are 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
PM indicates collection site hours are 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
*** indicates collection site hours are 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

For more information about the program, call the Illinois Department of Agriculture at    1.800.641.3934 (voice and TDD).

Sponsors

The Illinois Department of Agriculture sponsors the program in conjunction with the, Ag 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.

Which pesticide containers are acceptable for recycling?

1. # 2 HDPE plastic from small bottles to 5-gallon containers
2. drums over 5-gallons
3. mini-bulk containers that are caged or free standing 
   

How do I prepare my pesticide containers for recycling?

1. # 2 HDPE plastic from small bottles to 5-gallon containers can be placed in clear plastic bags or strung together with baler twin in groups of 25 each.
2. Drums over 5 gallon - cut off top and bottom and cut down the side top to bottom
3. Caged mini-bulk containers – cut off top and bottom, cut into 4 separate sides
4. Free standing mini-bulk containers – cut into 1foot square pieces
5. Discard the cap, foil seal, labels, fittings, and any metal from the container since they will not be accepted for recycling
6. Please notify the Department of Agriculture's Pesticide Hotline at 1-800-641-3934 if your facility has 20 or more mini-bulk containers that are in good to excellent condition before preparing to be recycled
   

Rinsing right after use is the best way to ensure a clean container. Depending on what system fits your operation, you can either triple rinse or pressure rinse your containers. Your local agricultural chemical dealer can give you more information about pressurized rinse systems.

• Triple Rinsing
  

1. Fill the empty container about 20% full with water.
2. Replace cap securely and shake the contents to rinse all inside surfaces.
3. Pour rinse water into spray tank and drain for at least 30 seconds.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 twice more until container is clean.
5. Inspect the container (inside and out) for formulation residues. Repeat as needed.

• Pressure Rinsing
  

1. Use a special nozzle attached to a water hose.
2. Hold the container upside down over the spray tank with the cap removed. Puncture side of container with the pointed nozzle.
3. Pressurized water cleans the inside surfaces while the rinsate flows into the spray tank.
4. Rinse for 30 seconds or longer while rotating the nozzle to rinse all surfaces.
5. Inspect the container (inside and out) for formulation residues. Repeat as needed.

Inspection Checklist for Recycling Plastic Pesticide Containers:

Protection: Always wear protective clothing while rinsing containers.

• ​Empty: Completely empty the pesticide container.

• Clean: Triple rinse or pressure rinse the container immediately after use to prevent drying/ caking of formulation residues.

• Inspect: Inspect the container inside and around the spout threads to ensure that it is free of formulation residues. Clean, but stained (e.g., due to Treflan) containers are acceptable.

• Remove: Discard the cap, foil seal, labels, fittings, and any metal from the container since they will not be accepted for recycling.

• Puncture: Render the container unusable by puncturing it.

• Type: Only containers made from high density polyethylene (HDPE) #2 plastic and mini-bulk containers plastic are acceptable for recycling.

• Keep Container Dry: The recycler will not accept a container with liquid in it - keep containers out of the rain.