SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The Illinois Department of Agriculture is encouraging farmers to save their empty agrichemical containers rather than discard them.  The department today announced the schedule for the 2010 Pesticide Container Recycling Program.   

Beginning in early August, sites throughout the state will collect the containers and grind them into small plastic chips that will be used to make shipping pallets, fence posts, drainage tubing, plastic lumber and other useful products.   

"This program offers farmers a convenient way to dispose of empty pesticide containers and protect the environment at the same time," Agriculture Director Tom Jennings said.  "I 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."  

Metal and household pesticide containers are not eligible for the recycling program.  Collection sites will accept only high-density polyethylene, #2 plastic, agrichemical containers that are clean and dry.  Participants are responsible for rinsing them and removing all caps, labels, booklets and foil seals.         

The program is a cooperative venture between the Illinois Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Container Recycling Council, GROWMARK, Inc., Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association, Container Services Network, Illinois Farm Bureau and University of Illinois Extension.

To obtain a free brochure about the program, call the Illinois Department of Agriculture toll free at 1-800-641-3934.

The collection sites and dates for the 2010 Pesticide Container Recycling Program are as follows:

Permanent collection sites:

County        Location                                      City                      Contact                  Phone #

Greene          Illinois Valley Supply                  Carrollton             John Quandt         217-942-6991

Lawrence     Klein Flying Service                    Lawrenceville      Robert Klein         618-943-2189

McLean        Randolph Ag Service                  Heyworth             Dee Hamilton        309-473-3256

Warren         Maple City Area Recycling         Monmouth            Kevin Lovdahl      309-734-8423

Single Day Collection Sites:

AM Site hours are 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
PM Site hours are 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Date, Time       Location                   Contact

8/2 PM           Two Rivers FS             Mike Smith

Pike                Pittsfield                      217-285-4477

8/3 AM           Lincoln Land FS          Dick Stilts

Morgan           Jacksonville                  217-243-6561

8/3 PM           Sunrise Ag                   Mike Schone

Cass                Virginia                        217-452-3936

8/4 AM          Two Rivers FS              Aaron Winner

Schuyler        Rushville                       217-322-2024

8/4 PM         Chem-Gro                     Todd Nelson

Hancock        Bowen                          217-842-5514

8/5 AM          CPS                              Travis Weaver

McDonough  Blandinsville                 309-652-3694